What is gynecomastia (gynaecomastia)?

Gynecomastia (also spelled Gynaecomastia) is an endocrine system disorder in which a noncancerous increase in the size of male breast tissue occurs. Psychological distress or dysphoria may occur.

Is gynecomastia a risk factor for male breast cancer?

Gynecomastia refers to a benign excess of the male breast tissue, that is usually reversible. It is not a risk factor per se for developing male breast cancer. On this page: Article: Epidemiology.
Gently feel your breast with your fingertips. If you have gynecomastia, you should feel a soft, rubbery lump in one or both breasts. If you feel a lump in your breast, go to the doctor immediately. A hard lump may be a tumor. Gynecomastia may occur in just one breast or both breasts at once.
What kind of doctor should I See for gynecomastia?
However, if a medical condition is causing gynecomastia, medications may need to be given. If a medication is the cause, your doctor may tell you to stop taking it or may prescribe a different medication. Your doctor may suggest seeing an endocrinologist (a doctor who specializes in treating hormone-related problems).

Does gynecomastia go away with age?
Gynecomastia in adolescents usually starts between the ages of 10 and 12 and commonly goes away after 18 months. Declining testosterone levels and an increase in the level of subcutaneous fatty tissue seen as part of the normal aging process can lead to gynecomastia in older men.

Which medications are associated with gynecomastia?

Medications that are probably associated with gynecomastia include calcium channel blockers such as verapamil, amlodipine, and nifedipine; risperidone, olanzapine, anabolic steroids, alcohol, opioids, efavirenz, alkylating agents, and omeprazole.

What tests are used to diagnose gynecomastia?

Diagnosis. Recommended laboratory investigations to find the underlying cause of gynecomastia include tests for aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase to rule out liver disease, serum creatinine to determine if kidney damage is present, and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels to evaluate for hyperthyroidism.