Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Dr. Lee was born in Shanghai, China, and received his college and medical training in the United States. He is fluent in English and three Chinese dialects. He graduated with chemistry departmental honors from Harvey Mudd College. He was appointed president of AOA society at UCLA School of Medicine. He underwent internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship training at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Diagnosis of breast cancer requires identifying cancer cells in tissue
specimens obtained by biopsy. Since men have
little breast tissue, cancers in male breasts are easily palpable (located by
feel) and, therefore, are easily accessible to biopsy. Fine needle aspiration or needle biopsy of a suspicious
mass can usually establish a diagnosis. A needle is inserted into the mass and
tissue from the suspicious area is withdrawn. Microscopic examination of the
tissue by a pathologist establishes the diagnosis.
Other techniques that may be used to diagnose breast
cancer in men include incisional (removing a portion of the suspicious tissue)
or excisional (removing
the mass in its entirety) biopsy of a breast mass. If nipple discharge is
present, microscopic examination of a smear of the discharge can sometimes
establish the diagnosis.
Imaging studies such as X-rays, CAT scans (CT scans),
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and bone scans may
be performed to evaluate the presence and extent of metastatic disease once the
initial diagnosis of breast cancer has been made.
What is staging of male breast cancer?
Staging is carried out to determine the extent to which
a cancer has spread within the body. Staging of breast cancer in men is carried
out identically to the staging of breast cancer in women. The American Joint
Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM system takes into account the tumor size, lymph node involvement by
cancer, and presence of metastasis:
T: tumor size and extent
of local spread
N: extent of tumor
involvement of lymph nodes in the axillary (underarm) region. Since the nipple
area is rich in lymphatic vessels, male breast cancer commonly spreads via the
lymphatic channels to the axillary lymph nodes. (When the tumor has spread to
the lymph nodes, doctors sometimes use the term "lymph node-positive" cancer.)
M: presence
of distant metastases (spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream
or lymphatic vessels)
Stage 0
Stage 0 refers to intraductal carcinoma, in which the cancer cells have not
spread beyond the boundaries of the ducts themselves.
Stage I
In Stage I breast cancer, the tumor is 2 cm or less in greatest diameter and
has not spread to the lymph nodes or to other sites in the body.
Stage II
Stage II cancers are divided into two groups. Stage IIA cancer is either less
than 2 cm in diameter with spread to the axillary lymph nodes, or the tumor is
between 2 cm-5 cm but has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes. Stage IIB
tumors are either larger than 5 cm without spread to the lymph nodes or are
between 2 cm-5 cm in size and have spread to the axillary lymph nodes.
Stage III
Stage III is
considered to be locally advanced cancer. Stage IIIA means the tumor is smaller
than 5 cm but has spread to the axillary lymph nodes, and the axillary lymph
nodes are attached to each other or to other structures; or the tumor is greater
than 5 cm in diameter with spread to the axillary lymph nodes, which may be
attached to each other or to other structures. Stage IIIB tumors have spread to
surrounding tissues such as skin, chest wall, and ribs, or to the lymph nodes
inside the chest wall.
Stage IV
Stage IV cancer refers to metastatic cancer, meaning it
has spread to other parts of the body. With breast cancer, metastases (sites of
tumor elsewhere in the body) are most often found in the bones, lungs, liver, or
brain. Stage IV cancer is also diagnosed when the tumor can be found in the
lymph nodes of the neck.
Cirrhosis of the liver refers to a disease in which normal liver cells are replaced by scar tissue caused by alcohol and viral hepatitis B and C. This disease leads to abnormalities in the liver's ability to handle toxins and blood flow, causing internal bleeding, kidney failure, mental confusion, coma, body fluid accumulation, and frequent infections. Symptoms include yellowing of the skin, itching, and fatigue.
Lymph nodes help the body's immune system fight infections. Causes of swollen lymph nodes (glands) may include infection (viral, bacterial, fungal, parasites). Symptoms of swollen lymph nodes vary greatly. They can sometimes be tender, painful or disfiguring. The treatment of swollen lymph nodes depends upon the cause.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women in the U.S. Symptoms include a lump in the breast or underarm area, nipple pain, change in breast size or shape, an inverted nipple, nipple discharge, and breast skin changes. Treatment may involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy, hormone therapy, or surgery.
Alcoholism is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law.
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
Hepatitis is most often viral, due to infection with one of the hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D, E, F (not confirmed), and G) or another virus (such as those that cause infectious mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus disease). The main nonviral causes of hepatitis are alcohol and drugs. Many patients infected with hepatitis A, B, and C have few or no symptoms of illness. For those who do develop symptoms of viral hepatitis, the most common are flu- like symptoms including: loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, weakness, tiredness, and aching in the abdomen. Treatment of viral hepatitis is dependant on the type of hepatitis.
Obesity is the state of being well above one's normal weight. A person has traditionally been
considered to be obese if they are more than 20 percent over their ideal weight.
That ideal weight must take into account the person's height, age, sex, and
build.
The breast generally refers to the chest, however, more specifically, to the mammary gland. The mammary gland is a milk producing gland comprised largely of fat. Within the mammary gland is a complex network of branching ducts. The ducts exit from sac-like structures called lobules, which can produce milk in females. The darkened area around the nipple is called the areola. Common medical concerns in regard to the breast include breast lumps, breast cysts, breast cancer, and breast infections.
Gynecomastia, an enlargement of the gland tissue in the male breast is the caused by an imbalance of hormones. Certain medical conditions may also lead to gynecomastia such as cirrhosis, malnutrition, disorders of the male sex organs, kidney failure, thyroid disorders, and medications. Gynecomastia is generally treated with medication, and if necessary surgery.
Klinefelter syndrome, also referred to as XXY condition, is a genetic disease. Klinefelter syndrome affects mostly males. Symptoms include decreased testosterone levels, development of breasts, wider hips, and infertility. Some men with Klinefelter syndrome have no symptoms. Treatment includes educational, therapeutic, and medical therapy.
Though it's difficult to say why some people develop cancer while others don't, research shows that certain risk factors increase a person's odds of developing cancer. These risk factors include growing older, family history of cancer, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, and exposure to sunlight, ionizing radiation, certain chemicals, and some viruses and bacteria.
Enjoying a satisfying sex life as we age is important to both physical and mental health. As we age, diseases and conditions may pose challenges in our sexual health, and sexual experiences. Learn how to manage your conditions and still have a gratifying sex life as you age.
Lymphedema is a common chronic, debilitating condition in which excess fluid called lymph collects in tissues and causes swelling in them. It is common after a mastectomy, lumpectomy or breast cancer surgery and radiation therapy.
Lifestyle changes, a healthy antioxidant-rich diet, exercise, and weight reduction can help reduce a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. It's important to be aware of how risk factors such as family history, lifestyle factors, breast conditions, radiation therapy, and hormonal factors may influence your chances of developing breast cancer. Mammography and breast self-examinations are crucial steps in breast cancer prevention.
Men's health is an important component to a happy lifestyle and healthy relationships. Eating healthy, exercise, managing stress, and knowing when to have medical tests for a particular age is key to disease prevention in men.
Most often, caregivers take care of other adults who are ill or disabled. Less often, caregivers are grandparents raising their grandchildren. The majority of caregivers are middle-aged women. Caregiving can be very stressful, so it's important to recognize when it's putting to much strain on you and to take steps to prevent/relieve stress.
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