What Are The Signs And Symptoms of Gynecomastia?
Print PageTrue gynecomastia initially shows up as a small, tender lump below the nipple, about the size of a marble. The left breast is more likely to be affected. The areola (colored area around the nipple) swells next. A small amount of milk flow (galactorrhea) often occurs spontaneously. The slang term is “witch’s milk”. This will probably resolve in your infant son by the end of his second week of life, but may last until he is 2 years old.
Most boys develop physiologic gynecomastia, also called pubertal hypertrophy, when they reach puberty, around age 14. However, gynecomastia may occur as early as 10 years of age. It is usually tender and uneven (asymmetrical). It will likely resolve in a few months to two years. Very seldom will it last until the adolescent turns 20. In serious cases where both mammary glands and fat are involved, the breast can grow up to a D cup size. About 15% of pubescent gynecomastia lingers into adulthood.
Gynecomastia may develop again or for the first time when the man reaches 60, usually due to testosterone deficiency, prescription drug use, or a tumor. Water retention (edema), testicular shrinkage (atrophy) and lack of sex drive (libido) may co-occur with the gynecomastia, as a result of increased estrogen.
Breast cancer accounts for only 0.7% of all malignancies in men. Breast cancer usually occurs only in one breast, not both. A malignant breast tumor usually is not centered under the areola, as gynecomastia is. A malignant breast tumor usually sits off to one side (eccentricity).
The only well-established correlation between gynecomastia and breast cancer is in men with Klinefelter syndrome, who have a 50% increase in their chances of developing breast cancer.