Gynaecomastia

Gynecomastia, is the development of abnormally large mammary glands in males resulting in breast enlargement. The term comes from the Greek (γυνή) gyne (stem gynaik-) meaning "woman" and (μαστός) mastos meaning "breast".

1. This condition can occur physiologically in neonates due to female hormone from mother and the discharge is known as 'Witches milk'.
   
   
   
2. 
   
   Breast prominence due solely to excessive adipose is often termed as pseudogynaecomastia or sometimes lipomastia.
   
   
   
3. 
   
   The condition should be differentiated from work hypertrophy of the pectoralis muscles caused by exercise.
   
   
   
4. 
   
   Types are:
   
   
   

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  Puffy nipples: very common, glandular tissue is concentrated under and typically confined to areola.
  
  
  
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  Pure glandular: In bodybuilders this may be a result of the use of anabolic steroids
  
  
  
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  Adolescent: Congenital/Hereditary- boys of 9-14 years.
  
  
  
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  Adult: most common.
  
  
  
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  Pseudogynaecomastia: This is generally the only type which can be improved by liposuction.
  
  
  
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  Asymmetrical/Unilateral.
  
  
  
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  Severe: is characterized by excess and/or saggy skin and severely enlarged breasts.
  

Treatment:

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  Correcting underlying cause.
  
  
  
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  Selective estrogen receptor modulator eg. tamoxifen, clomiphen or androgens or aromatase inhibitor such as letrozole.
  
  
  
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  Surgery: Reduction mammoplasty, liposuction, gland excision
  
  
  
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  Radiation therapy is sometimes used to prevent gynaecomastia in patients with prostrate cancer prior to estrogen therapy.