$Unique_ID{BRK01191}
$Pretitle{Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue}
$Title{Large Breasts in a Man}
$Subject{breast male cause}
$Volume{L-19}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Large Breasts in a Man


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QUESTION:  I recently heard a story about a man developing rather large
breasts.  The word to describe it sounded like "gymnast", but I know that
can't be correct.  Could you please discuss this condition and give me the
right name?

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ANSWER:  You're pretty close.  The correct medical term is "gynecomastia", and
comes from two Greek words meaning "woman" and "breast" thus, breasts like a
woman.  Gynecomastia means any benign glandular enlargement in the breasts of
males.
     It is a relatively common disorder, with several causes such as obesity,
aging, and certain drugs.  Only rarely is it caused by a serious medical
problem--but in adolescent males, it can be a very difficult emotional and
psychological problem to deal with.
     All normal adult male breasts contain most of the major elements found in
female breasts.  Everyone's breasts are sensitive to hormones, so male breast
enlargement may be associated with an overabundance, or lack, of certain
hormones.
     In many adolescent males (one study suggests about 20 percent of men in
that age group develop gynecomastia), breast enlargements develop and after a
while disappear.  Yet, sometimes the enlargements do not go away.  When that
occurs, medical decisions need to be made rapidly before psychological damage
is done to those young men.
     Approximately 60 percent of all men from 45 to 60 years old may develop
some breast enlargement.
     Incidences of gynecomastia in adult men appears to increase with age.  It
is most often observed between the ages of 50 and 60.  As many as 30 percent
of all adult males may have some evidence of gynecomastia at some point in
their lives and more than 90 percent of them experience enlargement of both
breasts.  Nevertheless, breast enlargement on only one side of a man's chest
is seen.
     There virtually is no evidence that directly links gynecomastia to breast
cancer.  Male breast cancer is rare, accounting for less than one percent of
all cancers in men.  However, any enlargement in men or women should be
examined by a physician.  Also, if there is bloody discharge from a nipple or
a firm, nodular mass within the breast area, a medical examination should be
made immediately.
     Some things are known to cause gynecomastia.  Among them are:
over-consumption of alcohol, kidney diseases, diseases that cause a decrease
in male hormone levels, severe changes in eating patterns, thyroid
malfunctions, certain tumors, all forms of estrogen--including estrogen in
hair preparations and vaginal creams, Tagamet, Aldactone, Nizoral, and the
digitalis-cytotoxic drugs (a few are Crystodigin, Lanoxin, and Velban).  When
gynecomastia is caused by drugs, it often develops rapidly and usually will
disappear shortly after their use is stopped.
     Things that many suspect cause gynecomastia include:  lung diseases,
chest injuries, psychological stress, marijuana, heroin, and some
antidepressant drugs.
     Treatment for gynecomastia includes discontinuing the use of drugs and
other substances that might cause it, treating any physical condition that
could have produced it, and possibly surgery, to remove excess tissue.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
