Patient's question:
I am a male, why do my breasts develop so large, very similar to a woman's? What is this disease? It is said online that it is caused by endocrine disorders or tumors leading to abnormal estrogen secretion.Doctor's answer:
Analysis of the Condition: There are several reasons for gynecomastia in men. Firstly, men with an overweight build may have enlarged breasts due to the accumulation of fat tissue. Additionally, lipomas around the breast tissue can cause breast enlargement. Another possibility is true breast tissue hyperplasia, known as male gynecomastia or feminization of the male breast. In this condition, one or both breasts of a man develop in a female-like manner, similar to female breasts in size, sometimes accompanied by tenderness or pain, and may even produce milk-like secretions. It is also referred to as male gynecomastia or feminization of the male breast. Pathologically and histologically, male gynecomastia differs from female breasts, as it lacks lactating lobules and only shows hyperplasia and cystic dilation of milk ducts, along with fibrous and adipose tissue hyperplasia. Male gynecomastia often occurs during puberty. Boys during puberty may experience breast feminization without obvious hormonal abnormalities, which sometimes persists into adulthood. Male gynecomastia can also be seen in individuals with liver dysfunction (hepatitis, cirrhosis). Estrogen produced by the testes and adrenal cortex is metabolized and inactivated in the liver. When the liver is damaged, the metabolism of estrogen is impaired, while the metabolism of androgen remains normal and continues to be metabolized and inactivated. As a result, the balance between estrogen and androgen is disrupted, with estrogen levels relatively increasing and leading to breast development. Male gynecomastia can also be caused by the use of estrogen or other medications, such as digitalis preparations, spironolactone, and isoniazid.Advice: This condition generally does not require special treatment and often resolves on its own. If necessary, the enlarged and hyperplastic breast tissue and milk ducts can be surgically removed while preserving the skin and nipple.