Male Boobs: Embarrassing but harmless Part 6

Complications

Gynecomastia has no medical or physiological consequences. The major problem is cosmetic and may create emotional stress due to embarrassment. Despite claims by some that gynecomastia is a risk factor for breast cancer, there is no scientific data to prove such a claim. In fact, if this was true, there would be thousands of cases of male breast cancer each year, and this is not true. Male breast cancer is a rare condition.

Could the breast lump be cancer?

When both breasts are enlarged in a young male, the chances of breast cancer are almost nil. Breast cancer does occur in males. When it does occur, it occurs in one breast and the cancer is seen in older males. In the majority of cases of gynecomastia, there is no cancer associated. However, any male over the age of 50 with a sudden increase in a single breast, should definitely be seen by a doctor for further work up.

Breast cancer in males presents just like in females. A mass is identified in a single breast but there is generally no pain or nipple discharge but the mass may be hard to touch. The only way to tell if it is a cancer, is by a biopsy.

Symptoms

The male individual generally present with an increase in breast tissue which he has identified himself. Most of the individuals present late to the doctor, mainly due to embarrassment. The diagnosis of gynecomastia is in most cases made on physical examination. The breasts are enlarged on both sides. In most cases, the breast enlargement is mild to modest. There is no “Pamela Anderson –like Breast growth”- in males the breast enlargement is more a source of embarrassment-unlike a female who tends to have a sex appeal and in fact is willing to show off her boobs.

In the majority of cases, the enlargement is bilateral and in about 10-20%, only one breast is enlarged. The breasts are soft and the nipples and the areola area also well developed. A few males, especially, the younger ones will also complain of nipple sensitiveness. There is no real pain but an odd ache is a typical complaint. The breast enlargement is symmetrical in most cases. Nipple discharge is almost never seen. There is nothing specific about the breast examination.

There are several classifications of gynecomastia based on either size or the tissue component found in the breast. In simple, if the breasts are large, surgery may require not only removal of the breast tissue but also the excess redundant skin left over.