There is a disease that often leaves men speechless, which is gynecomastia. In medical terms, gynecomastia refers to the abnormal development of male breasts in boys or adult males.
Currently, it is believed that male breast development is due to increased estrogen secretion, a decrease in the testosterone/estrogen ratio, or increased sensitivity to estrogen. Gynecomastia can be classified into physiological, pathological, drug-induced, and idiopathic types based on the causes, with physiological being the most common. Physiological breast development in male babies and adolescents often naturally resolves.
For males with persistent breast development, various common underlying causes are as follows:
Prolonged breast development during adolescence, medication, unpredictable abnormal growth, liver cirrhosis or nutritional imbalance, male hypogonadism, testicular tumors, hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney dysfunction, and others.
During examinations, patients may exhibit unilateral or bilateral breast hypertrophy, external swelling, palpable discoid hard nodules on the deep surface of the nipple, tender lumps, relatively tough texture, and in some cases, white discharge when squeezing the nipples.
Of course, there is also pseudo-gynecomastia, commonly seen in obese individuals, where breasts appear female-like due to local fat accumulation with no obvious glandular development.
Treatment for male breast development
Whether treatment for male breast development is necessary depends on the cause, duration of symptoms, severity, and the impact on the patient.
Conservative observation and treatment typically lead to spontaneous resolution within 1-3 weeks, occasionally persisting for months or years. Rapid breast enlargement or significant local pain in patients requires medical consultation. Early breast abnormalities caused by certain diseases or medications can usually disappear through treating the related conditions or discontinuing relevant medications.
Surgical treatment may be considered if breast development persists for over a year with no response to medication. Adult patients meeting the following criteria may be advised for surgical treatment: breast abnormal growth persisting for 12-24 months, lack of response to medication, breast swelling and pain, suspicion of malignancy, aesthetic concerns leading to psychological distress, among others.
When selecting specific surgical methods, plastic surgeons consider the patient’s aesthetic requirements. Surgical correction methods for gynecomastia in males include excision, liposuction, and a combination of both for better results.
Men can also get breast cancer
Male breast cancer is not exclusive to females; males can also develop breast cancer. However, male breast cancer is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all breast cancer cases.
Male breast cancer patients typically have characteristics of older age, long disease duration, late diagnosis, and poor prognosis. Therefore, it is essential to be cautious about the possibility of malignancy in male breast development patients, especially in the elderly, and promptly seek medical examination.
The risk of male breast cancer increases with age, particularly in males over 50. If first-degree relatives (parents, siblings) have a history of breast cancer, the risk in males may rise. Specific genetic mutations like BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations can also increase the risk of male breast cancer. Elevated estrogen levels in males due to conditions like hypogonadism, long-term estrogen replacement therapy, or exposure to exogenous estrogen can elevate the risk of breast cancer. Obesity and exposure to carcinogens in certain occupations, such as chemicals or radiation, can also increase the risk of breast cancer.
Symptoms of male breast cancer resemble those of female breast cancer, including breast lumps, nipple discharge, and changes in breast skin. Male breast cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage as men tend not to pay close attention to breast changes.
Diagnosis of male breast cancer typically involves breast X-ray examination, breast ultrasound, fine needle aspiration biopsy, among other tests. Physicians consider factors like age, family history, hormone levels, etc., in diagnosis.
Treatment methods for male breast cancer are similar to female breast cancer, including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. Surgery is the primary treatment, involving either mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy help eradicate residual cancer cells, while hormone therapy reduces hormone levels, lowering the risk of recurrence.
The prognosis of male breast cancer is similar to female breast cancer, depending on tumor size, lymph node metastasis, tumor grade, among other factors. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve outcomes.
In summary, men should also pay attention to breast health, get regular check-ups, especially those with a family history or other risk factors. If any abnormalities are noticed, prompt medical attention is advised. (Caosusheng)
Proofread by Wang Fei
