A Complete Guide To Understanding Gynecomastia: Etiology, Diagnosis, And Treatment

[Adam F]

MEDICAL TREATMENT
If the gynecomastia is severe, does not resolve, and does not have a treatable underlying cause, some medical therapies may be attempted.

There are 3 classes of medical treatment for gynecomastia: androgens (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, danazol), anti-estrogens (clomiphene citrate, tamoxifen) and aromatase inhibitors such as testolactone.

Testosterone treatment of hypogonadal men with gynecomastia often fails to produce breast regression once gynecomastia is established. Unfortunately, testosterone treatment may actually produce the side effect of gynecomastia by being aromatized to estradiol. Thus, although testosterone is used to treat hypogonadism, its use to specifically counteract gynecomastia is limited.

Dihydrotestosterone, a non-aromatizable androgen, has been used in patients with prolonged pubertal gynecomastia with good response rates. Since dihydrotestosterone is given either intramuscularly or percutaneously, this may restrict its usefulness.

Danazol, a weak androgen that inhibits gonadotropin secretion, resulting in decreased serum testosterone levels, has been studied in a prospective placebo-controlled trial, whereby gynecomastia resolved in 23 percent of the patients, as opposed to 12 percent of the patients on placebo. Unfortunately, undesirable side effects including edema, acne, and cramps have limited its use.

Investigators have reported a 64 percent response rate with 100 mg/day of clomiphene citrate, a weak estrogen and moderate antiestrogen. Lower doses of clomiphene have shown varied results, indicating that higher doses may need to be administered, if clomiphene is to be attempted.

Tamoxifen, also an antiestrogen, has been studied in 2 randomized, double-blind studies in which a statistically significant regression in breast size was achieved, although complete regression was not documented.

One study compared tamoxifen with danazol in the treatment of gynecomastia. Although patients taking tamoxifen had a greater response with complete resolution in 78 percent of patients treated with tamoxifen, as compared to only a 40 percent response in the danazol-treated group, the relapse rate was higher for the tamoxifen group.

Although complete breast regression may not be achieved and a chance of recurrence exists with therapy, tamoxifen, due to relatively lower side effect profile, may be a more reasonable choice when compared to the other therapies. If used, tamoxifen should be given at a dose of 10 mg twice a day for at least 3 months.

An aromatase inhibitor, testolactone, has also been studied in an uncontrolled trial with promising effects. Further studies must be performed on this drug before any recommendations can be established on its usefulness in the treatment of gynecomastia.

Newer aromatase inhibitors such as anastrozole and letrozole may have therapeutic potential but no study has been published to confirm its efficacy in treatment of gynecomastia.

[Adam F]

SURGICAL TREATMENT
When medical therapy is ineffective, particularly in cases of longstanding gynecomastia, or when the gynecomastia interferes with the patient's activities of daily living, or when there is suspicion of malignancy of breast, then surgical therapy is appropriate. This includes removal of glandular tissue coupled with liposuction, if needed. In our experience, uses of delicate cosmetic surgical techniques are warranted to prevent unsightly scarring.


PREVENTION OF GYNECOMASTIA IN MEN WITH PROSTATE CANCER
Because androgen ***rivation is one of the commonly used treatment modalities for advanced prostate cancer, its possible role in the development of gynecomastia is of particular concern to clinicians. Low dose prophylactic irradiation has been variably reported to reduce the rate of gynecomastia in men receiving estrogens or antiandrogens for advanced prostate cancer
.
SUMMARY
In summary, gynecomastia is a relatively common disorder. The causes of its development range vastly from benign physiologic processes to rare neoplasms. Thus, in order to properly diagnose the etiology of the gynecomastia, the clinician must understand the hormonal factors involved in breast development. Parallel to female breast development, estrogen, along with GH and IGF-1 is required for breast growth in males. Since a balance exists between estrogen and androgens in males, any disease state or medication that can increase circulating estrogen or decrease circulating androgen, causing an elevation in the estrogen to androgen ratio, can induce gynecomastia.

Due to the diversity of possibly etiologies, including neoplasm, performing a careful history and physical is imperative. Once gynecomastia has been diagnosed, treatment of the underlying cause is warranted. If no underlying cause is discovered, then close observation is appropriate. If the gynecomastia is severe, however, medical therapy can be attempted and if ineffective, glandular tissue can be removed surgically.

[Spook]

Great posts, and lots of info. This may need to be moved to an appropriate section, just not sure which one yet.

[Adam F]

Yeah I was half asleep when I posted all this lol/Still am. Actually I had like 20window tabs opened up and lost track where I was at. Doh!