Gynaecomastia is a medical condition of abnormal breast development in the males. It can occur at any age and can affect one or both sides but most commonly occurs in teenagers.
The causes of Gynaecomastia may be related to hormonal imbalances, certain diseases of liver or kidney , side effects of some drugs or old age. In most cases of pubertal Gynaecomastia which occurs in adolescents, there is surge of testosterone in the body which may get converted into oestrogen within the body’s fat cells. This increased levels of oestrogen causes abnormal development of the breast tissue which presents as a swelling on one or both sides of the chest.
The treatment of Gynaecomastia depends upon the age of the patient and the stage of the condition. In most cases of early stage Gynaecomastia in adolescents or young adults , no treatment is required since it resolves spontaneously. However , if the Gynaecomastia is progressing and doesn’t resolve with physiological maturity, it requires treatment.
The treatment of Gynaecomastia depends upon management of the underlying cause. If the Gynaecomastia is related to some medical condition or drug intake , the treatment is directed at that condition or stopping that particular drug. In case of hormonal imbalances or deficiency , sometimes hormonal injections may help. But the majority of cases of pubertal Gynaecomastia which has progressed to adulthood require surgical intervention.
The surgery may be in the form of liposuction, gland removal or a combination of both. Liposuction is effective in the cases of predominantly fat deposition in the beast area without significant glandular development. The liposuction may be performed from the armpit so that there is no visible scar. In case of glandular enlargement, a small cosmetic incision in made around the areola and the gland is removed completely along with excess fat . This may be combined with liposuction to enhance the cosmetic effect.