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Gynecomastia is a condition in which firm
breast tissue forms in males. The breast tissue is usually less than
1-1/2 inches across and is located directly under the nipple.
Gynecomastia may be present on one side or on both sides. This
condition may make the breast tender.
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Some men and boys have fat on their chests that
makes it look like they have breasts. This condition is called
pseudogynecomastia (false gynecomastia). It is not the same thing as
gynecomastia.
- What causes gynecomastia?
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Gynecomastia is usually caused by changes in
hormones at puberty or as part of aging. Hormones are chemicals
produced by the glands of the body, such as the thyroid gland, the
testes and the ovaries. Gynecomastia may be caused by changes in the
balance of 2 hormones, estrogen and testosterone. In rare cases,
gynecomastia is caused by prescription drugs, over-the-counter
medicines, illegal drugs, tumors or disease.
- Are tests needed to find the cause of
gynecomastia?
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Sometimes tests are needed, and sometimes they're
not. Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms, such as
how long you've had the breast tissue, and whether or not the area is
tender. Your doctor will also ask you about the illnesses you have had
in the past, the medicines you take, and other matters relating to
your health. Then you will have a physical examination.
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Whether you need tests depends on your age and what
your doctor learns from your history and physical examination. If you
are a teenager, you probably will not need more tests, since
gynecomastia is very common in the teen years. As many as 65% of
14-year-old boys have gynecomastia. The breast enlargement usually
goes away on its own in 2 or 3 years. However, boys and adult men with
gynecomastia need to have some tests, because it is more possible in
young boys and men that some kind of disease is causing the problem.
- How is gynecomastia treated?
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In most cases, no treatment is needed. Your doctor
will probably want to check the size of your breast tissue every few
months. In 90% of teenage boys, gynecomastia goes away in less than 3
years.
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Sometimes the problem can be solved if you stop
taking a medicine that is causing gynecomastia or stop using an
illegal drug that is causing the problem.
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Occasionally, medicines may be used to treat
gynecomastia, especially if tenderness is a problem. The medicine will
make the extra breast tissue go away. Rarely, surgery may be necessary
to remove the extra breast tissue.
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Treatment is necessary if gynecomastia is caused by
a disease or a tumor. If it is due to a disease, the disease itself
will need to be treated.
- Could the breast lump be cancer?
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Probably not. Breast cancer is very rare in males.
Your doctor will probably be able to tell whether the lump is cancer.
Lumps caused by cancer are usually not underneath the nipple, but
breast tissue from gynecomastia grows in this area. Breast cancer
feels different than the breast tissue of gynecomastia. With cancer,
there sometimes is dimpling of the skin or a bloody discharge from the
nipple. If there is any question that you have cancer, you will need
to have a mammogram and a biopsy.
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