What is gynaecomastia?

Gynaecomastia (gynecomastia) is the enlargement of male breast tissue. It is common in newborns, at puberty, as well as in older men.

There is growth of the male breast glands and not just the fat. It may occur in one or both breasts and it is a benign condition.

What are the symptoms of gynaecomastia?

This may present as a rubbery or firm mass that starts from underneath the nipple and then spreads outwards over the breast area. There may be discomfort or tenderness. It may occur in one or both breasts.

What causes gynaecomastia?

Gynaecomastia can be due to the imbalance of the sex hormones, testosterone and oestrogen. Oestrogen is a female hormone that causes the breast tissue to grow. Men do produce some oestrogen but they usually have more testosterone which prevents the effects of oestrogen.

• Hormone imbalance in men can cause the breasts to grow.
• Obesity increases levels of oestrogen and is also a common cause for gynaecomastia.
• In newborn baby boys, oestrogen can pass through the placenta from the mother, but this is temporary and will disappear in a few weeks after birth.
• During puberty, hormone levels change and if the amount of testosterone drops, teenage boys can develop gynaecomastia. This usually clears up after their hormone levels stabilise and is uncommon beyond the age of 17 years.
• As men get older, they produce less testosterone and tend to have more fat and these can lead to excess breast tissue growth.
• Medications may sometimes cause gynaecomastia due to their side effects on the hormonal pathways.
  Common examples include:
  • Some heart medications such as spironolactone, verapamil, nifedipine, enalapril, digoxin and amiodarone
  • Antibiotics/antifungals like ketoconazole, isoniazid and metronidazole
  • Chemotherapy drugs like methotrexate and steroids
  • Psychiatric medications like haloperidol, diazepam and tricyclic antidepressants
  • Recreational drugs including alcohol, amphetamines and heroin
• Rarer conditions include tumours such as pituitary tumours in the brain, testicular tumours, lung, liver and kidney cancers, kidney, liver or thyroid disease or genetic causes such as Klinefelter syndrome.
• Sometimes the cause is unknown

How is gynaecomastia diagnosed?

A careful examination of your history including the use of medications is important in the diagnosis.

Blood tests to exclude the rarer causes may be performed, and investigations may include mammograms and breast ultrasound if is there is a suspicion of and to exclude breast cancer.

How is gynaecomastia treated?

In general, treatment is not needed for most cases. If there is an underlying cause, treating the cause will decrease the breast enlargement.

For men with gynaecomastia of unknown cause or have residual gynaecomastia after treatment of the cause, medical or surgical treatment may be considered.

Medical treatment

Medical treatment includes drugs such as clomiphene and tamoxifen, which oppose the action of oestrogens. Up to 50 to 80 percent of patients have been reported to achieve partial reduction in breast size with these pharmacologic therapies.

Surgery

Surgery can remove the amount of breast tissue and the various techniques include reduction mammoplasty, subcutaneous mastectomies with or without liposuction and microdebridement.

In these surgeries, the breast is either partially or totally removed with the preservation of the nipple and overlying skin.

Is there an increased cancer risk associated with gynaecomastia?

There is no increased risk of breast cancer development in men with gynaecomastia, but the diagnosis of cancer needs to be excluded in their management.