From the Guidelines
For a male with suspected breast cancer, the most essential blood tests to be sent off as part of the diagnostic workup include a complete blood count (CBC), liver and renal function tests, alkaline phosphatase, and calcium, as recommended by the most recent and highest quality study 1. These tests help establish baseline health status and identify potential metastatic disease. Additionally, hormone receptor tests measuring estrogen and progesterone receptors, as well as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status, are crucial for treatment planning, as stated in 1. Genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations may also be recommended, as male breast cancer has strong genetic associations, highlighted in 2. It is essential to note that tumor markers such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) are not routinely recommended for breast cancer surveillance, as indicated in 3. The diagnostic workup should focus on assessing the primary tumor, regional lymph nodes, and metastatic disease through physical examination, imaging studies, and tissue biopsy, as outlined in 1. By prioritizing these tests and assessments, clinicians can provide accurate diagnoses and develop effective treatment plans for male breast cancer patients, ultimately improving morbidity, mortality, and quality of life outcomes. Key considerations in the diagnostic workup include:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Liver and renal function tests
- Alkaline phosphatase
- Calcium
- Hormone receptor tests
- HER2 status
- Genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations
- Imaging studies
- Tissue biopsy.
From the Research
Blood Tests for Suspected Male Breast Cancer
There are no specific blood tests mentioned in the provided studies that are required for a male with suspected breast cancer. However, some studies discuss the utility of routine blood tests in the evaluation of breast cancer patients:
- A study published in 2019 4 suggests that routine complete blood count (CBC) and liver function tests (LFTs) may not be necessary for patients with clinically node-negative breast cancer, as they have a low yield for detecting occult metastasis.
- An older study from 1995 5 evaluated the usefulness of various blood tests in detecting overt metastatic disease in breast cancer patients and found that alkaline phosphatase was the most effective test for distinguishing patients with relapse from those without relapse.
- Another study from 2022 6 discusses the treatment of male breast cancer, which includes surgery, adjuvant radiation, endocrine therapy, and chemotherapy, but does not mention specific blood tests required for diagnosis.
- A study published in 2022 7 provides an update on male breast cancer, including its biology, genetics, and histology, but does not discuss blood tests required for diagnosis.
- A study from 2016 8 focuses on the clinical and imaging evaluations of benign and malignant entities in the male breast, but does not mention specific blood tests required for diagnosis.