Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Gynecomastia is an enlargement of the mammary gland in men due to hypertrophy of glands and adipose tissue. During puberty, many young people experience painful lumps in the mammary glands, which then disappear spontaneously. However, in some diseases, such as Kline-Felter syndrome, testicular feminization, Reifenstein syndrome, castration and hypothyroidism, testicular tumors (Leydig cells), chorionic carcinoma, pituitary and adrenal tumors, gynecomastia can be long-lasting and require treatment.

Gynecomastia may also be a paraneoplastic syndrome in lung cancer. It also occurs with liver cirrhosis, nutritional dystrophy, and leprosy. A number of drugs with long-term use can lead to gynecomastia: spironolactone, digitalis, reserpine, mepro-bamate, phenothiazine, hormone therapy with estrogen, testosterone or human chorionic gonadotropin.

Symptoms of gynecomastia may include unilateral or bilateral breast enlargement in men, a feeling of heaviness and fullness in the breast area, as well as discomfort. On palpation, a dense elastic mobile formation with clear contours, painless, is determined. Regional lymph nodes are not enlarged.

To exclude breast cancer, a puncture of the formation is performed, followed by a cytological examination of the punctate. For diagnosis, it is important to find the cause of the disease, therefore a medical history, ultrasound of the testicles are performed, and for the diagnosis of adrenal tumors - CT and MRI. According to indications, an X-ray examination of the sella turcica, chest, a study of the hormonal profile (estrogens, testosterone, prolactin, adrenal hormones), and liver function are also performed.

Treatment for gynecomastia may include surgical removal of the breast. However, gynecomastia in newborns and during puberty does not require surgical treatment. In some cases, gynecomastia may improve when the medications that cause it are stopped. If gynecomastia is caused by endocrinopathy, treatment should be aimed at treating the underlying disease.

In general, the prognosis for patients with gynecomastia is favorable, especially if they seek medical help in a timely manner and receive the correct treatment.

In conclusion, gynecomastia is a common condition that can be caused by various reasons. To diagnose and treat gynecomastia, it is important to consult a qualified doctor who will determine the cause of the disease and prescribe appropriate treatment. Most cases of gynecomastia can be successfully treated, and proper treatment will help avoid unwanted complications.

Gynecomastia (from ancient Greek γυνή - woman, μᾰστος "breast") - enlargement of the mammary gland in men, usually due to hypertrophy of glandular tissue. Hypertrophy can be a temporary reaction after a chest injury or heart surgery, stagnation of milk during breastfeeding in premature babies, etc., but most often it indicates diseases that lead to changes in hormonal levels. Exposure to large changes in hormone levels during puberty may also be considered an etiological factor. Gynecomastia affects men from 5 to 8% of the population.