Click here to Enlarge
Breast tissue enlargement in men and pubertal boys is very common. Not unusual for a teenager to arrive with his parents to discuss this issue. Gynaecomastia is derived from Greek -mastos means women and Gynae we all know is a woman. This chart on Gynaecomastia on A4Medicine explains the pathophysiology and causes of gynaecomastia. A brief assessment is followed by some practical management tips. Which investigations to order are mentioned and currently, we do not have a guideline on management of gynaecomastia. Use of Tamoxifen is discussed with evidence of benefit in the Nottingham study
Benign proliferation of glandular breast tissue in men characterized by presence of rubbery or firm mass extending concentrically from the nipples Common – up to 35 % of men Most common disorder of male breast Can occur at any age but ↑ common in older men Peak in pubertal boys Oestrogens are major hormones responsible for proliferation of breast tissue in both sexes whereas testosterone is a potent inhibitor of breast growth Can result from hormone imbalance- either an excess of oestrogens or oestrogen precursors or a reduction in androgens or impairment of their actions
Presentation-Presents usually with a swelling of the breast , often unilateral Can be tender ( proliferation of glandular tissue ) sometimes painful Size can vary from a small amount of extra tissue around nipple to prominent breasts Teenagers – body perception and self image are very important at this age and breast enlargement can be quite distressing Secondary gynaecomastia can present with associated symptoms for eg thyrotoxicosis , liver disease or renal disease
history-Age of onset and duration Any change in nipple size , pain , discharge H/O mumps , testicular trauma Illicit drug use ( particularly in younger men explore illicit drug use and body building supplements ) Family history of gynaecomastia ( 58 % of patients with persistent pubertal gynaecomastia have a +ve family history ) H/o sexual dysfunction , infertility or hypogonadism Medications
Examination-Thorough examination of breasts ○ palpate all areas including nipple ○ compare and note uni or bilateral ○ use thumb and index finger- place over the outer and inner breast margins brought together in pinching movement ○ a diameter of under 2 cm is considered to be within normal limits ; above 2 cm is consistent with gynaecomastia ○ concentric enlargement around areola or discoid mass underneath areola Check for nipple discharge or axillary lymphadenopathy Offer testicular examination ○ if h/o suggestive of hypogonadism ○ any suggestion of testicular mass General physical examination to look for signs of hyperthyroidism liver disease and hypogonadism Check BMI and assess secondary sexual characters Refer urgently to r/o breast cancer if unusual mass , distorted nipples or areola , skin abnormality or axillary lymphadenopathy found If testicular mass noticed arrange urgent US + refer Urology Cancer is diagnosed in about 1 % of cases of gynaecomastia
Medical management will be ineffective if fibrosis has occurred In UK Danazol is licenced but use is limited due to weight gain which may exacerbate the condition Tamoxifen is the most widely used medical treatment ○ not licenced ○ improves breast pain and is more effective when gynaecomastia is < 4 cm ○ Nottingham used @ 20 mg/daily for physiological gynaecomastia duration 6-12 weeks- conclusion effective treatment for physiological gynaecomastia , especially lump type
LINKS AND RESOURCES
PATIENT RESOURCES
A concise and informative leaflet from Hormone Health Network – can be useful to print if you do not suspect a serious underlying cause https://www.hormone.org/diseases-and-conditions/gynecomastia
A useful page from Boston Children’s Hospital http://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/g/gynecomastia/symptoms-and-causes
Paediatric Endocrinology factsheet from American Academy of Paediatrics – useful one page leaflet https://www.pedsendo.org/assets/patients_families/EdMat/third_batch/Pubertal%20Gynecomastia.pdf
Andrology Australia has produced a printable leaflet on Gynaecomastia which is quite handy https://www.healthymale.org.au/files/resources/gynecomastia_fact_sheet_healthy_male_2019.pdf
American Pediatric Surgical Association information for parents on gynecomastia https://eapsa.org/parents/learn-about-a-condition/f-o/gynecomastia/
RESOURCES FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS
European Academy of Andrology clinical practice guidelines – gynaecomastia evaluation and management http://www.andrologyacademy.net/getdoc.aspx?id=195
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism Approach to the patient with Gynecomastia https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/96/1/15/2833174
Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism Gynecomastia : Clinical Evaluation and management https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3987263/
Wish to know if you could refer for surgical treatment – consider reading this Surgical Treatment of Gynecomastia https://cignaforhcp.cigna.com/public/content/pdf/coveragePolicies/medical/mm_0195_coveragepositioncriteria_surgical_treatment_of_gynecomastia.pdf
A quick read from update for GPs Epworth GP Update http://epworthgp.org.au/gynaecomastia/
NICE Breast Cancer USC guidance https://a4medicine.co.uk/breastcancer/
References
- Ismail AA, Barth JH. Endocrinology of gynaecomastia. Ann Clin Biochem. 2001;38(Pt 6):596–607. doi:10.1258/0004563011900993 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11732643/
- Clinical updates Gynaecomastia BMJ 2016 ;354 : i4833 https://www.bmj.com/content/354/bmj.i4833.abstract
- Ersöz Hö, Onde ME, Terekeci H, Kurtoglu S, Tor H. Causes of gynaecomastia in young adult males and factors associated with idiopathic gynaecomastia. Int J Androl. 2002;25(5):312–316. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2605.2002.00374.x https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12270030/
- e-medicine Gynecomastia Updated March 2017 https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/120858-overview
- Gynecomastia Am Fam Physician . 2012 Apr 1; 85 (7) : 716-722
- GP management of gynaecomastia Dr Kamilla Porter GPOnline.com February 2012 http://www.gponline.com/gp-management-gynaecomastia/cancer/cancer/article/1118276
- Gynaecomastia and breast cancer in men BMJ 2008 ; 336 : 709
- First Consult Gynaecomastia May 2012
- Management of physiological gynaecomastia with tamoxifen The Breast Vol 13 , Issue 1 , February 2004 , Pages 61-65
- Algorithm for clinical evaluation and surgical treatment of gynaecomastia Cordova, Adriana et al.Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, Volume 61, Issue 1, 41 – 49 https://www.jprasurg.com/article/S1748-6815(07)00493-7/fulltext
- Breast cancer care booklet- Gynaecomastia Hughes , Mansel & Webester’s
- Benign Disorders and diseases of the Breast . third Edition Elsevier Ltd Nottinghamshire Gyanecomastis Guideline https://www.nottsapc.nhs.uk/media/1208/nhs-nottingham-city-ccg-gynaecomastia-guideline.pdf