Gynecomastia refers to the unilateral or bilateral enlargement of the breast glands, which may be painful or painless. This condition causes the male chest to take on a more feminine appearance.
True gynecomastia must be distinguished from pseudo-gynecomastia, also known as lipomastia, which is characterized by fat accumulation in the chest area, typically seen in significantly overweight men.
The most common form of true gynecomastia is pubertal gynecomastia. It occurs due to hormonal changes at the onset of puberty and can affect one or both breasts.
Male breast enlargement in adulthood can have various causes, such as:
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Medications that affect hormone levels
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Hormonal disorders
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Tumors, particularly of the testicles, pituitary gland, or breast
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Systemic diseases, such as liver conditions like cirrhosis
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of gynecomastia is based partly on the clinical appearance of the male breast. In addition, a thorough diagnostic workup is required, including hormone level testing, testicular ultrasound, and other relevant examinations.
Therapy
Depending on the underlying condition, the treatment of gynecomastia varies and is guided by the diagnostic findings. In many cases, surgical removal of the enlarged glandular tissue is necessary.