Gynecomastia Treatment (male breast reduction surgery)
The presence of gynecomastia in the general male population is estimated by some to be as high as 40 percent in adults and 60 percent in adolescents. In adolescents, excess weight, or “baby fat,” is often accompanied by an enlarged, fatty breast area. In most cases, this disappears in one or two years. In some individuals, however, the breast enlargement persists through adolescence and into adulthood. As this individual enters middle age, the midriff spreads, pads of fat gather at the waist (“love handles”), and additional fatty tissue accumulates at the breast. Between the ages of 50 and 70, therefore, gynecomastia becomes almost universal.
Gynecomastia can also occur in older patients being treated for prostate cancer with medications containing estrogen. Also, since the liver metabolizes estrogen, impaired liver function (such as in the case of an alcoholic) can also lead to gynecomastia. In very rare instances, a hormone-producing testicular tumor can lead to the condition. Finally, the intake of anabolic steroids has been known to lead to gynecomastia in body builders.
Gynecomastia can also occur in older patients being treated for prostate cancer with medications containing estrogen. Also, since the liver metabolizes estrogen, impaired liver function (such as in the case of an alcoholic) can also lead to gynecomastia. In very rare instances, a hormone-producing testicular tumor can lead to the condition. Finally, the intake of anabolic steroids has been known to lead to gynecomastia in body builders.
Most gynecomastia cases are not related to systemic diseases such as the ones described above, and therefore may be corrected with modern surgical techniques. For those patients whose gynecomastia is caused primarily by excessive fatty tissue, liposuction alone will be used, while for those whose condition is based on glandular enlargement as well as excessive fatty tissue, a combination of liposuction and glandular excision is necessary. Since the breast tissue development that comes with gynecomastia consists primarily of fatty tissue, liposuction alone is sufficient in most instances.
