Gynaecomastia and breast cancer in men

doi:10.1136/bmj.39511.493391.BE

BMJ 2008;336:709-713 (29 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.39511.493391.BE

Clinical Review

Gynaecomastia and breast cancer in men

Catherine B Niewoehner, professor of medicine¹, Anna E Schorer, associate professor of medicine²

¹ Metabolism Section, VA Medical Center 111G, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA, ² Hematology/Oncology Section, VA Medical Center 111E, Minneapolis, USA

Correspondence to: C B Niewoehner niewo002@umn.edu

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Most breast enlargement in males is due to thebenign enlargement of breast tissue (gynaecomastia)

Physiologicalgynaecomastia occurs in neonates, at puberty, and with obesityand ageing

Gynaecomastia is due to an increased oestrogen totestosterone ratio; possible causes are many

Treatments forpainful or embarrassing gynaecomastia include an anti-oestrogen,such as tamoxifen, or surgery (liposuction or mammoplasty)

Oneper cent of breast cancers occur in men, with higher rates inmen with a family history of breast cancer or previous chestradiation

Irregular, eccentric, hard or fixed breast tissue,ulceration, nipple abnormalities, or associated adenopathy suggestbreast cancer

Men typically have more advanced breast cancerat diagnosis than women; management is similar

Breast disorders in males can be distressing for both patientsand examining doctors. Patients often feel embarrassed and anxious.Although cancers are diagnosed in only about 1% of cases ofmale breast enlargement, practitioners may feel uncertain . . . [Full text of this article]

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