Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is the enlargement of male breast glandular tissue, producing a fuller or more feminine chest appearance. It can occur in newborns, during puberty, or in adulthood and often arises from hormonal imbalances, certain medications, systemic illness, or weight gain; it is important to distinguish true gynecomastia (glandular enlargement) from pseudogynecomastia, which is excess fat without glandular proliferation. A clinical evaluation typically includes a focused history, physical examination, and sometimes blood tests or imaging to rule out endocrine disorders, medication causes, or rare tumors.

Treatment depends on the cause, severity, and patient goals and may include watchful waiting for pubertal cases, adjustment of causative medications, or medical therapy in selected situations. When persistent or bothersome, surgical options such as liposuction for fatty tissue, direct excision of glandular tissue, or a combination approach are commonly used to contour the chest; recovery varies by technique but generally involves temporary swelling, bruising, activity restrictions, and a period for scar maturation and final contour to settle, while possible risks include asymmetry, contour irregularities, sensory changes, and recurrence if underlying causes persist.