What you should know about breast cancer as a teenager. Does breast cancer occur in children? Does a boy get breast cancer?

Cancer is a malignant tumor, the cells of which are formed by mutation of the cells of the superficial layers (epithelium) of the skin or mucous membranes. Unfortunately, cancer sometimes develops in childhood. One of the rarest forms of cancer is breast cancer in children.

Frequency of development and features of the course of breast cancer in childhood

In children, cancer, that is, malignant tumors based on the epithelium, is much less common than in adults. Much more often at this age, sarcoma develops - a malignant tumor developing from connective tissue. However, there are exceptions. More often develops into thyroid cancer in children , liver and nasopharynx.

Breast cancer in children is a very rare disease (0.046% of all malignant tumors in childhood), which most often develops in adolescents after 12 years of age.

A peculiarity of the course of cancer in children is that it is not so malignant. However, for example, with breast cancer in children, metastases appear faster into the lymph nodes. But breast cancer metastases to distant organs in children much later than in adults.

In addition, with any localization of cancer, including breast cancer, first general signs of the disease appear (changes in the whole organism) and only then changes at the site of tumor formation. In adults, the opposite happens: first, local (local) changes appear, and then general changes.

Another feature of childhood cancer is that, in terms of their histological structure, tumor cells are highly differentiated, that is, they do not differ too much from the tissue from which they were formed. This is a favorable prognostic sign; such cells do not quickly penetrate into surrounding tissues and metastasize.

Most often, breast cancer in children manifests itself in adolescence in girls (but can also occur in boys) as a result of hormonal changes in the child’s body. Predisposing factors are hereditary predisposition (breast cancer in close relatives), high emotional stress, stress, early initiation of smoking and drinking alcohol.

Breast cancer in children is more benign than in adults. One of the reasons for this course (besides the relatively benign histological structure of the tumor) is that in the small mammary gland of a child or adolescent, the tumor is better detected in the early stages. This leads to better survival rates for children with breast cancer (BC).

Breast cancer in children - first signs

Breast cancer in children may initially manifest itself in the form of general symptoms: fatigue, weakness, weight loss, and a slight increase in temperature. The cause of these phenomena is a violation of cellular metabolism in the child's body.

After some time, a small nodule may appear in the baby's mammary gland. Since the child’s breast tissue has a small volume, the nodule can be easily felt, even if it is very small (up to 1 cm in diameter). This makes it possible to detect breasts in children at an early stage.

However, during adolescence, girls develop breasts that are quite large in size, making it difficult to detect cancer in its early stages. If a small tumor was not detected in a timely manner, then after some time it can metastasize to nearby (usually axillary, but sometimes other) lymph nodes. As a cancerous tumor grows, the skin above it may change - it swells and takes on the appearance of an orange peel, wrinkles, or retracts. Bloody discharge sometimes appears from the nipple .

With some types of breast cancer in children, erosions, ulcers accompanied by weeping, scales and dried crusts appear on the skin of the breast. Outwardly, such changes resemble eczema. Very rarely, and usually in older girls, signs of an inflammatory form of breast cancer appear, which occurs in the form of mastitis, but this is already a sign of a late stage of the disease. Metastases to distant organs from breast cancer in children develop rarely, later than in adults and only in advanced cases.

From Dr. Mercola

Revealing new data, Cancer Research UK reports a record number of women under 50 have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

For the first time in the UK, more than 10,000 women under 50 have been diagnosed with the disease, meaning one in five women will have breast cancer.

The news comes on the heels of a study published earlier this year. Bulletin of the American Medical Association, which found a similar increase in the number of young women (ages 25–39) in the United States diagnosed with advanced breast cancer.

In general, the likelihood of developing cancer increases with age. The non-profit website BreastCancer.org even states:

“...the aging process is the greatest risk factor for breast cancer. This is explained as follows: the longer we live, the more opportunities there are for genetic damage (mutations) in the body. And as we age, the body is less able to repair genetic damage.”

What Causes Breast Cancer in Young Women?

No one knows for sure, but it's safe to say that a number of factors, many of which are external, are likely contributing to it. Cancer Research UK identifies hormonal factors such as late birth, having fewer children or taking birth control pills.

This makes sense, since in 2002 one of the largest and most well-designed studies of hormone reconstitution therapy was stopped because the risk of breast cancer (as well as heart attack, stroke and blood clots) was so increased in women taking these synthetic hormones that that it was simply unethical to continue this research.

The news immediately made headlines because millions of women were already taking these synthetic hormones, but fortunately new information has helped many stop using them. And what do you think happened a year after millions of women stopped hormone replacement therapy? The incidence of breast cancer has decreased sharply - by 7%!

How does this relate to birth control pills? Birth control pills contain the SAME kind of synthetic hormones - estrogen and progestin - that were used in the failed study!

Even women not taking birth control pills are exposed to synthetic hormones, which have become increasingly common in recent years.

Thus, parabens are chemicals with properties similar to estrogen, and estrogen is one of the hormones associated with the development of breast cancer. Parabens are widely used in personal care products such as shampoos, lotions, deodorants, shaving gels and cosmetics.

The concentration of these chemicals in breast cancer tissue is a million times higher than the level of estrogen (estradiol) in normal human breast tissue. The highest concentrations of propylparaben, in particular, were found in the underarm area - where deodorants are used and where the incidence of breast cancer is highest.

It is clear that these chemicals accumulate in alarmingly high concentrations, likely due to their widespread and constant daily use. And their exposure often begins in the womb, with health consequences completely unknown.

Toxic damage and nutritional deficiencies are factors in many breast cancer cases

The underlying causes of breast cancer—nutrient deficiencies, exposure to external toxicants, inflammation, estrogen dominance, and resulting disruption of gene integrity and immune surveillance—continue to be reported in patients over 50 years of age.

But these toxic damages are now also affecting younger generations, who are much more susceptible to their negative health effects.

For example, studies have shown that the risk of developing breast cancer at a young age is higher in girls who had breast radiation for cancer treatment as children. Even those who receive low doses of common cancer drugs face an increased risk of breast cancer later in life, scientists warn.

Additionally, in the United States, women are still strongly recommended to have annual mammograms starting at age 40. The main danger of mammography is ionizing radiation, which may actually increase the risk of cancer.

According to a 2010 study, annual screening of women aged 40 to 80 years using digital or film mammographs is associated with induced cancer incidence and death rates from breast cancer of 20-25 cases out of 100,000.

This means that the cost of annual mammograms is 20-25 fatal cancers for every 100,000 women screened. And now, using "new improved" TOMOSYNTHESIS 3D tomograph, women will be exposed to even more radiation.

Screening ultrasound detects cancer not detected by mammography

Many women do not know that if they have dense breast tissue (40-50% of women), then mammography is practically useless for them. Dense breast tissue and cancer appear white on X-rays, and the radiologist simply cannot detect cancer in these women. It's like looking for a snowflake in a snowstorm.

Some radiologists already provide density information to their patients and recommend that they use other testing options such as thermography, ultrasound, and/or MRI. In fact, a recent study found that 1,000 women with dense breasts who had a breast ultrasound after a mammogram were found to have an additional 3.4 cases of cancer or high-risk tumors.

I think women should trust radiologists and consider important information about the density of their breasts. Unfortunately, many of them hid this data for decades, which they prayed would save the lives of women.

The Best Breast Cancer Prevention Strategies

In the largest review of research into lifestyle and breast cancer, the American Institute for Cancer Research estimates that about 40 percent of breast cancer cases could be prevented if people adopted better lifestyle choices. I think this estimate is too low - it is more likely that 75% to 90% of breast cancer could be avoided by strictly following the recommendations below, which are the same for both younger and older women.

Avoid sugar, especially fructose. All types of sugar are harmful to overall health and contribute to cancer. However, fructose is undoubtedly one of the most harmful and should be avoided as much as possible.

Optimize your vitamin D levels. Vitamin D affects virtually every cell in your body and is one of nature's most powerful cancer fighters. Vitamin D, by the way, is able to enter cancer cells and trigger the mechanism of apoptosis (programmed cell death). If you have cancer, your vitamin D levels should be between 70 and 100 ng/ml. Vitamin D interacts with every type of cancer treatment I know of, enhancing them without causing negative effects. Remember that when taking oral vitamin D3 supplements, you must also increase your vitamin K2 intake, since vitamin D increases the need for K2 to function properly.

Get plenty of natural vitamin A. There is evidence that vitamin A also plays a role in helping prevent the development of breast cancer. It's best to get vitamin A from vitamin-rich foods rather than through supplements. The best sources include organic egg yolks, raw butter, raw whole milk, and beef or chicken liver.

Lymphatic breast massage will help increase the body's natural ability to remove cancer toxins. It can be performed by a licensed therapist, or you can self-massage it yourself. Plus, this way you take care of yourself.

Try not to overcook food. Eating meat cooked over open flames or charcoal has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Acrylamide, a carcinogen that is formed when baking, frying or frying starchy foods, has also been found to increase the risk of breast cancer.

Avoid unfermented soy products. Unfermented soy contains high levels of plant estrogens or phytoestrogens, also known as isoflavones. According to some studies, soy appears to work together with human estrogen to increase the proliferation of breast cells, which increases the likelihood of mutation and the formation of cancer cells. Fermentation is thought to convert soy phytoestrogens such as daidzin, glycitin and genistin into the more active phytogestrogenic compounds dadzein, glycitein and genistein. And these phytoestrogens are adaptogens and can even block endogenous estradiol and xenobiotic estrogens, reducing their harm, at least in theory.

Increase the sensitivity of insulin receptors. The best way to achieve this is to avoid sugar and grains and be sure to exercise, especially Peak Fitness.

Watch your weight. When you start eating according to your food type and exercising, this will happen naturally. It is important to get rid of excess fat in the body because fat produces estrogen.

Drink 0.5-1 liter of organic green vegetable juice every day."

Get plenty of high-quality animal-based omega-3 fats, such as krill oil. Omega-3 deficiency - common cancer factor .

Curcumin. It is the main active ingredient in turmeric and, in high concentrations, especially when combined with phospholipids such as phosphatidyl choline or the black pepper compound piperine, can be a very useful addition to the treatment of breast cancer. It shows enormous therapeutic potential in preventing breast cancer metastasis. It's important to know that curcumin tends to be difficult to digest.

Avoid drinking alcohol or at least limit your intake to one serving per day.

Breastfeed only up to six months. Research shows that breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer.

Avoid wearing underwire bras. There is a lot of evidence that underwire bras may increase the risk of breast cancer.

Avoid electromagnetic fields as much as possible. Even electric blankets can increase your risk of cancer.

Avoid synthetic hormone replacement therapy. Breast cancer is an estrogen-related cancer and, according to a study published in Journal of the National Cancer Institute, rates of breast cancer among women have decreased in tandem with the decline in the use of hormone replacement therapy. (As mentioned, the same risk exists for young women taking oral contraceptives. Birth control pills, which also contain synthetic hormones, have been linked to cervical and breast cancer.) If you are experiencing excessive menopausal symptoms, you may want to consider taking bioidentical hormones - this therapy uses hormones that are molecularly identical to those produced in the body and does not have a damaging effect on your body's systems. This is a much safer alternative.

Avoid BPA, phthalates and other xenoestrogens. These are estrogen-like compounds that have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.

Make sure you are not iodine deficient, as there is compelling evidence linking iodine deficiency to breast cancer. Dr. David Brownstein, author of the book “Iodine: Why is it needed and why can’t you live without it”, is a proponent of the use of iodine in the treatment of breast cancer. It does have powerful anti-cancer properties and has been shown to cause the death of breast and thyroid cancer cells.

Breast cancer is a very dangerous disease, primarily because it slowly and practically without any symptoms takes over a woman’s body.

Symptoms of this disease may be different, moreover, these signs may indicate other diseases of the mammary gland, but still, if they are detected, you should immediately contact a mammologist. A woman can herself identify the presence of a tumor through an external examination of the breast and palpation. As a rule, the tumor at the initial stage does not exceed 2 centimeters in size, and its structure can be irregular and lumpy.

Main signs of breast cancer: the formation of a small abrasion, a wound on the nipple, some pain in some areas of the mammary gland, bloody discharge from the nipple, a change in the shape of the mammary gland when examined by palpation (by palpation). When the subcutaneous layer is pulled towards the tumor, a certain “retraction” occurs, which is another sign of a cancerous tumor. Irritation or peeling may appear on the nipples, and nipple retraction is often observed. In advanced form, an ulcer appears on the skin of the mammary gland. Swelling and redness of the mammary gland is also often observed. Because Cancer tumors metastasize, then swelling of the axillary lymph nodes is observed.

A cancerous tumor can be localized in different ways in the mammary gland. Both the right and left breasts are affected with equal frequency. Moreover, a node in the second breast can be either an independent tumor or a metastasis from the first tumor. Much less common is breast cancer that affects both breasts.

The naked eye may notice a small lump on the affected breast, similar to small cartilage, or a rather soft knot with a consistency similar to dough. Such formations, as a rule, have a round shape, clear or blurred boundaries, a smooth or knobby surface. Sometimes the tumors reach impressive sizes.

If at least one was found

of the above symptoms, you should immediately go to the hospital. Today, there are many methods for diagnosing a malignant breast tumor: ultrasound, biopsy, mammography, tumor markers, etc. But remember that half of women over 30 years of age have some changes in the mammary glands, and if you notice some lumps, then you should not panic prematurely, but simply visit a doctor immediately.

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BREAST CANCER

STRUCTURE OF THE BREAST

The mammary gland is located on the anterior surface of the chest from the 3rd to the 7th ribs. The mammary gland consists of lobules, ducts, adipose and connective tissue, blood and lymph vessels. Lymphatic vessels carry lymph, a clear liquid containing cells of the immune system. Inside the mammary glands there are lobules that produce milk after the baby is born and tubes connecting them to the nipple (ducts). Most of the lymphatic vessels of the mammary gland drain into the axillary lymph nodes. If tumor cells from the breast reach the axillary lymph nodes, they form a tumor in that area. In this case, there is a possibility of tumor cells spreading to other organs.

incidence of breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common type of malignant tumor in women and ranks second after lung tumors as a cause of cancer death. About 1 million women worldwide are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Breast cancer is diagnosed every 2 minutes in the European Union; every 6 minutes one woman dies. It is also one of the best studied and, when detected early, best treatable forms of cancer. Breast cancer most often occurs between the ages of 55 and 65, however, there are regional and age differences, so breast cancer can also be found in much younger women.

WHY DOES BREAST CANCER OCCUR?

Although some risk factors are known to increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer, there is no precise information about what causes most types of breast cancer or how these factors turn normal cells into cancerous ones. Female hormones are known to sometimes stimulate the growth of breast cancer. However, how this happens has not yet been clarified.

Another challenge is understanding how certain DNA changes can turn normal breast cells into tumor cells. DNA is a chemical substance that carries information about the various activities of all cells. We usually look like our parents because they are the source of our DNA. However, DNA affects more than just our physical appearance.

Some genes (parts of DNA) control the processes of cell growth, division and death. Breast cancer, like most cancers, occurs as a result of the natural aging process of cells and is caused by accumulated damage to genes. Some genes promote cell division and are called oncogenes. Other genes slow down cell division or cause cell death and are called tumor-inhibiting genes. It is known that malignant tumors can be caused by mutations (changes) in DNA that trigger tumor development or disable genes that inhibit tumor growth.

The BRCA gene is a gene that inhibits tumor growth. When it mutates, it no longer inhibits tumor growth. This raises the risk of developing cancer. Some inherited DNA changes can cause a high risk of cancer in people.

RISK FACTORS FOR BREAST CANCER.

Risk factors increase your chance of getting cancer. However, having a risk factor or even several risk factors does not mean that cancer will occur. The risk of breast cancer can change over time due to, for example, changes in age or lifestyle.

Risk factors that cannot be changed:

Floor. Simply being a woman means having a major risk factor for breast cancer. Because women have significantly more breast cells than men, and possibly because their breast cells are affected by female growth hormones, breast cancer is much more common among women. Breast cancer is also possible in men, but this disease is observed 100 times less frequently than in women.

Age. The risk of breast cancer increases with age. About 18% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed in women aged 40-50 years, while 77% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed after 50 years of age.

Genetic risk factors. About 10% of breast cancer is inherited as a result of gene changes (mutations). The most common changes occur in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Normally, these genes help prevent cancer by producing proteins that prevent cells from becoming tumor cells. However, if you inherit the altered gene from one of your parents, then there is an increased risk of breast cancer.

Women with an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation have a 35-85% chance of developing breast cancer during their lifetime. Women with these inherited mutations also have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Other genes have been identified that can lead to hereditary breast cancer. One of them is the ATM gene. This gene is responsible for repairing damaged DNA. In some families with a high incidence of breast cancer, mutations of this gene have been identified. Another gene, SNEC-2, also increases the risk of breast cancer if it is mutated.

Inherited mutations of the tumor suppression gene p53 can also increase the risk of developing breast cancer, as well as leukemia, brain tumors and various sarcomas.

Familial breast cancer. The risk of breast cancer is higher among women whose close (blood) relatives have had the disease.

The risk of developing breast cancer is increased if:

have one or more relatives with breast or ovarian cancer, breast cancer occurred before the age of 50 years in a relative (mother, sister, grandmother or aunt) on the father's or mother's side; the risk is higher if the mother or sister has had breast cancer, has a relative with breast or ovarian cancer, has one or more relatives with two breast and ovarian cancers or two different breast cancers, has a male relative (or relatives) with breast cancer, a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, a family history of diseases associated with hereditary breast cancer (Li-Fraumeni or Cowdens syndromes).

Having one immediate relative (mother, sister, or daughter) with breast cancer approximately doubles a woman's risk of breast cancer, while having two immediate relatives increases her risk by 5 times. Although the exact risk is unknown, women with a family history of breast cancer in a father or brother also have an increased risk of breast cancer. Thus, about 20-30% of women with breast cancer have a family member with the disease.

Personal history of breast cancer. A woman who develops cancer in one breast has a 3- to 4-fold increased risk of developing a new tumor in another gland or in another part of the same breast.

Race. White women develop breast cancer at slightly higher rates than African-American women. However, African American women are more likely to die from this cancer due to later diagnosis and advanced stages that are more difficult to treat. It is possible that African American women have more aggressive tumors. Women of Asian and Hispanic descent have a low risk of developing breast cancer.

Previous irradiation of the breast. If women were treated for another tumor at a younger age and received radiation therapy to the chest area, they have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Younger patients have a higher risk. If radiation therapy was carried out in combination with chemotherapy, the risk is reduced, since it often leads to the cessation of ovarian hormone production.

Menstrual periods. Women who started menstruating early (before age 12) or who entered menopause late (after age 50) had a slightly increased risk of breast cancer.

Lifestyle factors and breast cancer risk:

No children. Childless women and women who have their first child after age 30 have a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer.

COMPLAINTS

Breast cancer does not always appear as a lump in the breast in all women. It also happens that women who discover a mass in the breast consult a doctor only after many months. Unfortunately, during this time the disease could already progress.

The most common symptoms of breast cancer are pain And discomfort. There may also be other changes in the appearance and feel of your breasts.

Breast mass

The doctor will determine the properties of the formation:

size (measuring); location (clockwise direction and distance from the areola); consistency; connection with the skin, pectoral muscle or chest wall.

Skin changes

The following changes in the skin of the breast can be observed:

erythema; edema; recesses; nodules.

Nipple changes

Breast cancer can cause the following changes to the nipple:

retraction; color changes; erosion; discharge.

The lymph nodes

Breast cancer often spreads to nearby lymph nodes, so your doctor will examine the lymph nodes:

in the armpit; above the collarbone; under the collarbone.

Other

Other possible signs and symptoms:

pain or tenderness in the mammary glands (about 15% of cases); changes in breast shape or size; deepening, retraction or thickening of the skin; symptom of lemon peel, nipple retraction, rash or discharge.

SURVEY METHODS

Medical checkup

Gynecologists have extensive experience examining the mammary glands, so they are able to make the most accurate diagnosis. If the specialist does not have any suspicions, then you should not worry. Many doctors prefer to play it safe and may suggest further examination.

Blood analysis

In some types of breast cancer, a compound known as CA153 appears in the blood. The presence of such a “marker” in the bloodstream indicates breast cancer, but, unfortunately, its absence does not indicate the opposite, since in many types of cancer this substance is not produced. Therefore, a negative test result does not mean that breast cancer does not exist.

Mammography

Mammograms are most often done for screening purposes, but they can also be used if cancer is suspected. That's why they are called diagnostic mammograms. The study may show that there is no pathology, and the woman can continue routine examination using this method. Otherwise, a biopsy (removing a piece of tissue for microscopic examination) may be required. A biopsy may also be necessary when mammography findings are negative, but a tumor formation in the mammary gland is detected. The only exception is when an ultrasound examination shows the presence of a cyst.

Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) of the mammary glands

This method helps to distinguish a cyst from a tumor formation.

Biopsy

The only way to prove breast cancer is a biopsy. There are several biopsy methods. In some cases, a very fine needle is used to obtain fluid or cells from the tumor mass. In other cases, thicker needles are used or part of the breast tissue is surgically removed.

A needle biopsy uses a thick needle to obtain a tissue sample from the site of the suspected tumor. To make the procedure painless, local anesthesia is given before it is performed.

If the diagnosis is still doubtful, it is necessary to perform an excisional biopsy, or in other words, a biopsy by excision. The advantage of this method is the ability to determine the size of the tumor and evaluate the features of the histological structure in more detail.

During aspiration cytology, a small amount of fluid is removed from a suspicious area using a needle and examined under a microscope to see if it contains cancer cells.

A frequently performed and relatively easy examination method is fine needle aspiration. This method is often used when a cyst is suspected rather than breast cancer. The cyst usually contains a greenish fluid and usually collapses after aspiration.

Chest X-ray

It is used to detect damage to lung tissue by a tumor process.

Bone scan

Allows you to identify their cancer. In this case, the patient receives very low doses of radiation. The detected lesions may not necessarily be cancer, but may be the result of an infection.

Computed tomography (CT) )

A special type of x-ray examination. With this method, multiple images are taken from different angles, which allows you to get a detailed picture of the internal organs. The study makes it possible to detect damage to the liver and other organs.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Based on the use of radio waves and strong magnets instead of X-rays. This method is used to study the mammary glands, brain and spinal cord.

Positron emission tomography (PET))

This method uses a special form of glucose containing a radioactive substance. Cancer cells take up large amounts of this glucose, and a special detector then identifies these cells. A PET scan is performed when there is suspicion that the cancer has spread, but there is no evidence to examine the lymph nodes before they are removed.

Once breast cancer is detected, additional examination is carried out and a decision is made regarding therapy.

breast cancer treatment

There are several treatments for breast cancer. A conversation with a doctor after the examination will help you make the right decision regarding the treatment method. It is necessary to take into account the patient's age, general condition and tumor stage. Each treatment method has positive and negative sides. Side effects and complications may occur.

Local and systemic treatment

The goal of local treatment is to target the tumor without damaging other parts of the body. Surgery and radiation are examples of such treatments.

Systemic treatment involves giving anticancer drugs orally or intravenously to target cancer cells that may have spread beyond the breast. Chemotherapy, hormonal treatment and immunotherapy are among such treatments.

After surgery, when there are no obvious signs of a tumor, additional therapy may be prescribed. This is due to the fact that even in the early stages of breast cancer, tumor cells can spread throughout the body and eventually lead to the formation of lesions in other organs or bones. The goal of this therapy is to destroy invisible cancer cells.

Some women are given chemotherapy before surgery to shrink the tumor.

Operation

Most women with breast cancer undergo some type of surgery to treat the primary tumor. The goal of the operation is to remove the tumor as much as possible. Surgery may be combined with other treatments, such as chemotherapy, hormonal treatment, or radiation therapy.

The operation can also be performed to determine the spread of the process to the axillary lymph nodes, to restore the appearance of the mammary gland (reconstructive surgery), or to reduce the symptoms of intoxication in advanced cancer.

1. Do a self-examination.

2. Consult your doctor.

3. It is better to be on the safe side by doing a blood test as described above.

4. Ultrasound examination once a year is safe and reasonable.

5. A suspicious area detected during an ultrasound examination should be examined using mammography.

6. If cancer remains suspected after a mammogram, a needle biopsy, excisional biopsy, aspiration cytology, or fine needle aspiration should be performed.

But in this article we’ll talk about future real men. Let's try to figure out what is the anatomy and structure of the mammary glands in boys? What is their difference?

Research shows that girls and boys do not differ in the structure of the mammary gland until puberty. Differences in structure and progression begin to be observed from this moment, and the difference is directly related to the degree of development of the gland itself. In already adult representatives of the stronger sex, the mammary gland is present, but it remains in its infancy. In women, it develops and is intended for feeding a newborn baby.

Just the absence of breasts in a woman or, conversely, a developed mammary gland in an adult man is an anomaly that, in many cases, requires correction, as it is associated with pathological changes affecting the endocrine system.

This gland is located on the front side of the torso between the third and seventh ribs. The gland itself is surrounded by fatty tissue. It is their number and location that determine the shape and size of the female breast. Boys and men also have such a layer, but it is quite insignificant. An exception may be obesity. As sad as it sounds, this phenomenon in relation to children today is not uncommon. On a hot sunny day on the streets of modern cities you can meet a child whose breasts are clearly visible. This process in medicine has its own term - false gynecomastia.

The anatomy and structure of the mammary glands in boys, as well as in girls, presents the following picture. In the center of the chest there is a brown pigmented circle called the areola. Its shade can vary: from dark brown to light pink. The size of this spot is individual and depends on the age of the person and his individual data. On the surface of this circle one can distinguish rudimentary processes - these are underdeveloped sebaceous and sweat glands, the so-called Montgomery glands, of which there are about fifteen. They are involved in the process of lactation in women who have given birth; in boys they remain underdeveloped.

In the center of the areola there is a nipple, which can have a relatively different outline: cone-shaped, barrel-shaped, cylindrical, funnel-shaped and without a specific shape. In this case, the condition of the nipple can be protruding, retracted and almost flat.

The skin of the nipple and the pigment circle around it can be quite smooth or furrow-like. Along the perimeter of the nipple, from peak to base, is dotted with noticeable circulating bundles of smooth muscle fibers.

Until puberty, both girls and boys' mammary glands have the same potential for development into a functionally active gland. At this time, the glandular tissues that make up the gland continue to develop slowly. This occurs due to the formation of new cells and intracellular structures that form ductal channels.

The gland we are considering does not contain muscle fibers, so it cannot maintain its weight. In the same way, it is impossible to “pump up” the breasts. The supporting apparatus for the chest is the fascia.

The posterior wall of the mammary gland is fixed to the collarbone by Cooper's ligaments - connective tissues that strengthen it and connect it to the fascia. The posterior surface “looks” at the pectoralis major muscle. It is between these walls that a small layer of fatty tissue is located. In this case, its presence allows the breasts to have the necessary mobility.

Breast diseases in boys

It’s sad, but many diseases have become “younger”. It is not uncommon for boys to have breast diseases. Patients in this group were diagnosed with:

• Gynecomastia is an increase in the size of the mammary glands, developing on the basis of hyperplasia of the glandular ducts and connective tissue. This disease can be both physiological and pathological in nature. The disease can be localized in one mammary gland, which leads to breast asymmetry, or it can be symmetrical and affect both glands. It can be caused by:
  • Injury.
  • Failure in the synthesis of male sex hormones.
  • The result of exposure to a number of medications.
  • The result of hereditary pathology.
  • Diseases affecting the thyroid gland.
• Pseudogynecomastia is an aesthetic and physiological deviation that is more associated not with pathology as such, but with the accumulation of fatty tissue in the chest area and stretching of muscle and glandular tissue. This usually happens when the child is overweight. And as statistics show, recently there are more and more children suffering from obesity.
• Physiological gynecomastia is a reversible pathological deviation observed in completely healthy children. It can occur over two periods of time: at the time of birth and the first few weeks after delivery, as well as during puberty. This fact can be explained quite simply. This is due to a sharp drop in hormone levels in the baby’s blood. In the first case, maternal hormones stop passing through the placental barrier. In the second, the child’s body undergoes significant changes due to the transition to a new status. Statistics show that every five to seven boys out of ten (in the period from 12 to 15 years) encounter this metamorphosis. And 90% of them resolve on their own after a year or two.
• Fibrocystic disease or mastopathy. An increase in the volume of connective tissue in the gland area. The number of glandular cells also increases. This is what causes seals to form. This pathology is not classified as precancerous, but, nevertheless, some of its forms can degenerate into malignant neoplasms.
• Cancer - this terrible disease is diagnosed in children quite rarely, but such cases have nevertheless been registered, so it is worth remembering. If the pathology is recognized late, cancer cells spread throughout the body through the circulatory and/or lymphatic system, catalyzing numerous tumor growths. If the disease is recognized late, when it is already at the last stage, it cannot be treated; with timely and early detection and treatment, a complete recovery is possible.

In any case, if parents observe swelling in the nipple area, the child should be shown to a pediatrician and, if necessary, undergo an examination to determine the cause of the pathology.

Breast hardening in boys

It is not uncommon for boys to experience thickening of the mammary glands around the nipple during puberty. If this is not associated with pathology, then this fact is the result of hormonal changes and, mainly after its normalization, the problem is solved on its own, and the seals resolve without leaving a trace.

This clinical picture can occur in boys aged 12 to 14 years. In this case, the teenager may be accompanied by unpleasant sensations: swelling of the nipples, a slight burning sensation, increased sensitivity, itching, the appearance of pigmentation and a pulling feeling in the chest area. There may even be some discharge. The picture under consideration refers to deviations that fit the term physiological gynecomastia.

Approximately two thirds of adolescents, one way or another, encounter this symptomatology, which can only vary with the intensity of its manifestation.

If, even after the end of adolescence (up to 18 years), the symptoms in question have not disappeared, you should seek advice from a qualified specialist.

Breast swelling in boys

Many people don’t even think that such a problem can affect a strong half of the population, including boys and male teenagers. Breast swelling in boys can affect two main stages in a child's life - birth and puberty.

After childbirth, the newborn’s body stops receiving maternal hormones that were previously invaded through the placental barrier. It is the fact of a sharp change in the amount of hormones that can provoke the appearance of these symptoms. If such a deviation is detected in your baby, you should not worry. This is a variant of the norm that will “resolve” on its own over the next month.

At an older age, a child may experience a similar manifestation during the period (on average) from 12 to 14 years. This is due to the child growing up and his status transitioning from a teenager to an adult man. At this time, the teenager’s body produces both male and female hormones. If there is a surge in estrogen production, then the consequence of its increased formation is swelling of the mammary glands. In most cases, volumetric enlargement affects the area of ​​the areola, but there are cases where growth of the breast itself was also observed. Once the balance of male and female hormones is equalized, breast swelling goes away.

These two circumstances relate to the physiological norm and are quite understandable.

But this aesthetic deviation can be caused by other problems. One of these reasons may be excess weight, and what is mistaken for swelling of the mammary gland is the deposition of fatty structures in the chest area.

This problem can also be caused by a number of diseases associated with a malfunction in the child’s endocrine system. As a result of the pathological deviation, there is increased division of glandular cells and, accordingly, tissue proliferation - gynecomastia.

Swelling of the mammary glands can be temporarily provoked by a course of taking certain medications. In this case, it is enough to cancel the drug or complete the course of treatment, and the situation with the problem discussed in this article will normalize.

If the source of the symptoms in question is a certain pathology, then only stopping the disease or introducing maintenance hormonal therapy can return the boy’s breasts to their original natural size. If a situation arises when therapeutic measures that are adequate for a given clinic do not bring the expected result, there is only one option left - surgical intervention, which doctors try to resort to as rarely as possible. Experts are primarily trying to try all non-radical methods of influence. And only after not a single technique has received its positive continuation, the doctor decides to perform an operation.

Breast enlargement in boys

Anatomically, the mammary glands of representatives of the stronger half of humanity are no different from those of women. Maybe the level of development. If we talk about childhood, then it is practically impossible to distinguish a girl’s breast from a boy’s breast, up to a certain point. But this applies to a healthy child. In the case of pathological changes or during certain periods of life, one can observe an enlargement of the mammary glands in boys.

If the child’s hormonal levels do not fluctuate, then there are no problems with the mammary gland; it does not develop, remaining in its infancy.

But there are still two options when breast enlargement in boys is physiologically justified. This is the moment of birth and the next few weeks (it can be either two or four). During this period, many newborns have mammary glands that are slightly larger than usual.

As mentioned above, this situation can repeat itself during the period when the boy begins to turn into a man, that is, during puberty, which mainly affects the age from 12 to 15 years. It is during this period that the greatest discrepancy in the production of various hormones occurs. And if women “take over”, then we have to observe the development of breasts according to the female type. But if this situation is not associated with any pathology, then after the restructuring of the teenager’s body is completed, the size of the mammary gland returns to normal.

An option for the development of such a picture in a healthy body is wearing uncomfortable, low-quality underwear that irritates, rubs or causes an allergic reaction (mainly underwear made of synthetic material).

Another reason that has nothing to do with the disease, but still has a significant impact on the child’s body, is the lifestyle of his parents and, accordingly, him:

• Physical inactivity. Despite their natural mobility, some babies do not want to run and jump, preferring to sit at the computer or lie under the TV.
• This also includes an unhealthy diet rich in carbohydrates, fatty and high-calorie foods.
• Reduced rate of fluid removal from the body.
• The result of such a life is an overweight baby, and sometimes obesity.

But an abnormal enlargement of the organ in question is also possible. Many diseases can lead to this picture. These symptoms can be provoked by:

• Metabolic disorder, metabolic failure.
• Severe pathology of the kidneys and liver.
• Rehabilitation of exhaustion.
• Inflammation of the testicles.
• A tumor localized in the chest area, either cancerous or benign.
• A neoplasm affecting the testicle.
• Other diseases in which the production of androgens decreases.

Therefore, if parents have even the slightest suspicion of a pathological source of the problem, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Breast pain in a boy

If a child complains not just of discomfort, but of the appearance of pain, then there is no need to hesitate. It is advisable to show the baby to a specialist as soon as possible. After all, pain in the mammary gland in a boy is most likely caused by some disease or pathological external influence.

The cause of pain in the breast area can be provoked by hormonal disorders, which only an endocrinologist can identify. But this is not the only reason that can cause sore nipples and breasts in a child.

The catalyst for pain can be:

• Puberty period. At this time, the nipple area may be painful when touched. But such symptoms are temporary and after normalization of hormonal levels, the size of the mammary gland will return to normal and the pain will disappear.
• Allergies can also lead to the pathology in question. Pain is one of the manifestations of the body's response to internal or external influences.
• The pain can be caused by an injury to the chest area.
• Diseases affecting the pituitary gland.
• Pathology affecting the functioning of the adrenal glands.
• Malfunction of the testicles. The pituitary gland, adrenal glands and testicles are a triumvirate responsible for the production of male hormones in the body of the stronger half of the planet. Failure in the functioning of at least one organ leads to the dominance of female hormones in the boy’s body, which leads to the result in question.
• Gynecomastia.
• Diabetes.
• A fairly rare, but most dangerous disease is breast cancer.

Inflammation of the mammary glands in boys

Mastitis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the tissues of the mammary gland. It affects not only the body of women. Inflammation of the mammary glands in boys and even newborns is not nonsense, but modern realities. This disease occurs in the child’s body according to the same pattern as in the weaker half of humanity.

In a newborn child, this disease may appear as a result of infection of the body. After all, in the womb, the fetus received part of its hormones along with blood. After birth, their quantitative level decreased sharply. Such a mismatch leads to a decrease in the baby’s vitality, and if he is not protected during this period, it is quite possible for pathogenic flora or a virus to enter the body. The mammary gland can also become infected, and mastitis can result from inflammation.

Mainly, based on the mechanism of damage, this disease is most dangerous in the first month of a child’s life.

Most often, the following microorganisms become the causative agents of this disease in a small patient:

• Escherichia coli.
• Staphylococci.
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• Streptococci.

The main source of the disease in boys is:

• A significant drop in the child’s immune system.
• Injury.
• Another violation of the integrity of the skin.
• Hypothermia.
• Imbalance in the quantitative ratio of male and female hormones caused by pathology.

Diagnostics

Preventing the disease or detecting it at an early stage allows you to protect the human body from many problems with its health in the future. Diagnosis of the pathological abnormality discussed in this article usually begins at home, when parents notice a swelling in the child’s nipple area. In this case, it would be a good idea to show the boy to the pediatrician.

The second option may be a routine examination by a pediatrician or parents contacting another problem when the doctor notices a discrepancy between the size of the glands and the age and gender of the child.

A special place is occupied by differential diagnosis, aimed at identifying more severe pathologies, such as mastopathy, especially purulent inflammation of the mammary glands, tumor-like neoplasms (both benign and malignant). If alarming symptoms appear, it is urgent to conduct a comprehensive medical examination and take adequate measures to relieve the problem. And the sooner this is done, the less the little patient’s body will suffer. After all, in a child’s body the disease can progress much faster.

The first thing that the pediatrician prescribes, after the initial examination, is a blood and urine test, which will give an answer to the presence or absence of an inflammatory process in the child’s body, and the level of hormones in the body can also be assessed.

A small patient is required to undergo an ultrasound examination of the chest area. Such an examination will make it possible to recognize the pathology of changes, the extent of inflammation and affected tissues, and the stage of the disease. After analyzing the research results, the attending physician is able to diagnose the disease. If he still has doubts, it is possible to consult other specialists or a council of doctors.

Only after making a correct diagnosis can doctors begin drawing up a treatment protocol and the treatment itself.

If the necessary hygiene rules are followed, infection can be avoided.

If the pediatrician suspects the presence of an abscess or malignant neoplasm in the mammary gland, the baby is additionally given a biopsy with further histological examination, as well as magnetic resonance imaging and/or mammography.

Treatment of breast diseases in boys

Most of the above cases of abnormal breast condition in boys do not require any medical intervention. But even in this situation, you should not remove control of the gland. But there are pathologies that require immediate therapeutic intervention. Treatment is carried out based on test data and instrumental diagnostics.

If mastopathy is diagnosed, then anti-inflammatory drugs are introduced into the treatment protocol, and antibiotics may be prescribed. These may be drugs belonging to the group of amoxicillins (osmapox, grunamox, amotide, hiconcil, amoxicillin-ratiopharm, flemoxin-solutab ranoxil), phenoxymethylpenicillins (ospen), penicillins moxiclav, amoxilav, augmetin) or cephalosporins (prozolin, axetin, kefzol, ceclor, lysoline, zinnat, vertsef, ospexin, ketocef, taracef).

At the same time, the child undergoes a massage, which is done either by a professional massage therapist or by the mother at home (after appropriate training).

For gynecomastia, the stages of therapy depend on the source of the pathology. If it is physiological gynecomastia, there is no treatment. If such a picture is caused by the child’s excessive weight, then the first thing that needs to be done is to reconsider the regimen and diet of such a patient; in this case, maintenance therapy is also possible.

The cause of the disease is the synthesis of male sex hormones or a disease affecting the thyroid gland is diagnosed, the doctor prescribes hormonal drugs that correspond to a particular clinical picture.

If the result of gynecomastia is a hereditary pathology, then the boy begins to receive replacement therapy, that is, the hormone whose production is insufficient. In this case, it refers to the male sex hormone.

In rare cases, doctors may decide to perform surgery. This method is mainly used when a progressive purulent process and the formation of inflamed abscesses are detected in a small patient. In this case, the purulent formation is opened, the cavity is sanitized, and, if necessary, drainage is installed. After this, rehabilitation therapy is carried out using broad-spectrum antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Medicines that work to increase the immune strength of the child’s body are also required.

The situation is worse if the pathology is suspected to be cancerous. After additional examination, the small patient receives treatment appropriate to the stage of the malignant pathology.

It is worth noting that self-treatment can lead to irreparable consequences. After all, what is applicable for one diagnosis may be categorically unacceptable for another.

For example, during an inflammatory process occurring in the tissues of the mammary gland, heating is strictly unacceptable. If the patient is an infant, then all procedures associated with hard massage are also contraindicated. After all, a baby’s skin at this age is very delicate and can be damaged even with minor exposure.

Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to use traditional medicine methods without the consent of the treating pediatrician. Only in a combination of “parents and pediatrician” can you get the expected result, that is, a complete recovery.

Prevention

Not least in preventing the occurrence and subsequent development of pathological changes associated with the mammary gland in a boy’s body is associated with proper body hygiene and the implementation of a number of recommendations put forward by pediatricians. Prevention of these manifestations is:

• Body hygiene, including breasts. This fact applies not only to women and girls, but also to boys and adult men:
  • Daily shower.
  • Clean linen, preferably made from natural materials.
  • High-quality cosmetics: baby soap, shower gels and other cosmetics must be marked “for children.”
  • Hardening: contrast shower, air baths.
• Proper balanced nutrition. Fractional meal regimen.
• Healthy lifestyle. It’s no secret that many teenagers, in order to appear older, start smoking early and try alcohol and drugs.
• Timely and adequate treatment of infectious diseases.
• The child's clothes must fit properly. Parents are required to ensure that their son is dressed appropriately for the weather. Freezing, as well as increased wrapping, have an adverse effect on the child’s body, reducing its defenses.
• The baby's immunity should be maintained at a high level.
• The child should spend enough time outdoors in outdoor games.
• Regular ventilation and wet cleaning of the premises where children live.
• Mechanical chest injuries should be avoided. Treat bruises and abrasions in a timely manner. If necessary, seek help from a specialist.
• Do not abuse prolonged exposure to open sunlight.

  If you contact a qualified medical professional in a timely manner if mastopathy is diagnosed, a complete cure can be guaranteed with adequate therapy. The main thing is not to miss the disease in its early stages, since over time the acute form gradually turns into a chronic state of the disease. Chronic mastitis cannot always be stopped completely. In this case, there is a high probability of relapse.

  If a pediatrician diagnoses gynecomastia, then with correction of diet, lifestyle and effective medical therapy, the child quickly gets rid of the disease. The only exception may be hereditary pathology. But here, too, there is a way out and it is through replacement therapy.

  Treatment of abscesses is mainly carried out through surgery. After such a procedure, a scar remains, which reduces the aesthetic side of a person’s appearance; from a physiological point of view, it results in coarsening and tightening of tissues.

  Typically, many people associate mammary glands with the breasts of an adult woman. But as medical statistics show, natural and pathological changes can also affect the mammary glands in boys. However, this does not make the problem any less acute. Therefore, if parents have questions or have discovered swelling of the mammary glands in their son, the right decision would be to show the child to a specialist, mainly a local pediatrician. He will assess the situation, explain the change, and, if necessary, prescribe the necessary examination, consultation with other specialists and treatment. A categorical recommendation to all parents - do not engage in self-diagnosis and treatment! This approach can only harm your baby! Indeed, in some cases no treatment is required; it is enough to wait a certain period of time and the problem will be solved by itself. When an illness occurs, adults, in most cases, by their attempts to cure it, cause even greater damage to the child’s body. Therefore, be attentive to your baby and careful in your actions. After all, the main tenet of medicine is DO NO HARM!

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Mammary cancer

Malignant epithelial tumors of the mammary gland in childhood are extremely rare and account for 0.046% of all malignant neoplasms in childhood.

Epidemiology and etiology

Breast cancer in childhood most often manifests itself in prepubertal and pubertal age, which can be explained by hormonal changes in the child’s body, not excluding a hereditary family predisposition.

The five-year survival rate for children with breast cancer is better than for adults because the child has less breast tissue and therefore the tumor is detected at an earlier stage.

Pathological anatomy

The macro- and microscopic picture of epithelial tumors of the mammary glands in children is not much different from that in adults.

Metastasis of breast cancer occurs through the lymphatic tract and blood vessels; distant hematogenous metastases in children are quite rare. Lymphogenic metastases to regional lymph nodes develop later than in adults.

Currently, there is no clinical classification of breast cancer developed specifically for childhood. Rare cases of its diagnosis fit well into the clinical classifications developed for adults.

Clinical manifestations and diagnosis

Clinical manifestations of breast cancer in children are similar to adults.

The diagnosis of a breast tumor in a child does not cause any particular difficulties, since the gland is small and the tumor is well contoured. Most often, the gland is dense and painful on palpation; Bloody discharge from the nipple is rarely detected.

When carrying out differential diagnosis, one should remember about pseudohypertrophy of the mammary glands (usually bilateral) in obese girls, hypertrophy of the glands in the prepubertal period and premature puberty.

The similarity of the early symptoms of malignant and benign breast tumors forces oncologists to conduct a differential diagnosis between them.

The most accessible and informative in this case is a puncture biopsy followed by cytological examination.

Treatment

The issues of treating breast cancer in childhood cannot be considered developed to date. Due to the small groups of patients, radiation therapy and chemotherapy have not been developed.

The method of choice remains radical surgery, often extended sectoral resection. After such an operation, the prognosis is favorable, although there may be local relapses.

Skin tumors

Skin cancer in children is rare - up to 0.6% of all skin tumors in children.

Epidemiology and etiology

The main etiological factor in the development of skin cancer in both children and adults is ultraviolet radiation, followed in frequency by chemical carcinogens, ionizing radiation and immunodeficiency, immunosuppressive conditions, mainly xeroderma pigmentosum, which is an obligate precancer of the skin.

Epidemiological data from various geographic areas have shown an increase in squamous cell and basal cell carcinoma in white populations near the equator.

Pathological anatomy and staging

Based on the histological structure, two forms of skin cancer are distinguished: basal cell (basal cell carcinoma) and squamous cell carcinoma (spinolioma).

The classification of clinical staging of skin cancer used in oncopediatrics is similar to that in adults.

Clinical picture

The clinical manifestations of different histological forms of cancer vary. Basal cell carcinoma is most often located on the face. Clinically, it is characterized by the appearance of a nodule of dense consistency, merging with the skin or protruding above its surface. The skin over the formation is thin and atrophic. Subsequently, new formations of the same kind appear next to the nodule, which merge with the first, forming a roller - a “string of pearls”. The tumor develops slowly, there are no reactive changes and the condition of the patients seems satisfactory.

Basal cell carcinoma grows slowly and spreads to surrounding and underlying tissue, muscle, cartilage and bone. However, when it affects the mucous membranes, it behaves more aggressively than squamous cell carcinoma, penetrating deeply into surrounding tissues.

Metastases in the basal cell form of cancer, as a rule, do not occur, except in cases where the cancer develops in close proximity to the lymph node, which is involved in the process.

Squamous cell carcinoma is localized mainly on the skin of the face, ears, upper and lower extremities, and external genitalia. In childhood, it usually occurs against the background of xeroderma pigmentosum.

Squamous cell carcinoma develops more quickly and metastasizes more often. The most aggressive tumors are those located on the trunk, limbs and scalp. Distant metastasis occurs late and is quite rare.

Diagnostics

Confirmation and clarification of the diagnosis of skin cancer is achieved with a biopsy.

The final diagnosis of skin cancer, especially in the early stages of the disease, is made by a pathologist, not a clinician. Therefore, any manipulations with tumors and ulcers of unknown origin are possible only after a biopsy has been performed and the diagnosis has been determined.

Treatment

The main methods are tumor excision and radiation therapy.

L.A. Durnov, G.V. Goldobenko