Gynecomastia is a condition that causes male breast development. It occurs when the amount of estrogen in the body increases and testosterone levels decrease. It is estimated that nearly 60% of males will be affected with this condition at some point in their lives.
Gynecomastia is usually not indicative of a serious health problem. However, most men find that this condition is embarrassing. Fortunately, gynecomastia often goes away on its own. If it does not go away, then it can be treated with surgery and medication. In order for gynecomastia to be treated correctly, it must be diagnosed properly. Below are some of the ways that gynecomastia can be diagnosed.
Physical Examination
Doctors will typically perform a physical examination in order to diagnose gynecomastia. The physician will observe and touch the breast tissue with his or her hands. Doctors are not only looking for abnormal breast tissue growth, but also for hard masses.
It is important to note that some men have fatty tissue around their chest that looks like breast tissue. This condition is sometimes referred to as pseudoynecomastia. In order for a man to receive a formal diagnosis of gynecomastia, the diameter of the breast tissue must be greater than 0.5 centimeters. That is why a physical examination is needed to give an accurate diagnosis.
Furthermore, doctors may ask about medications and family history during the examination. Gynecomastia may be the side effect of certain medications. Men who have a family history of this condition are also more likely to develop it.
Mammogram
Breast cancer is uncommon in males; it is estimated that only 1% of breast cancer patients are male. However, men who have gynecomastia are at a greater risk for developing breast cancer because they have elevated levels of estrogen in their bodies. Doctors may order a mammogram if they suspect breast cancer.
Other Tests
Doctors may recommend blood tests in order to measure the estrogen and testosterone levels. They may also recommend tests that measure the functioning of the kidneys, liver, and thyroid. These tests help doctors identify conditions that may be contributing to gynecomastia. Furthermore, if the results of these tests come back abnormal, then there are other tests that can be used. MRI scans, CT scans, and tissue biopsies are some of the other tests that can be used to rule out serious health problems.
