Gynecomastia is a common condition in men and boys. The breasts swell and
become abnormally large. All men and women have breast glands, but they are
not noticeable in men, because they tend to be small and undeveloped.
Breast gland enlargement in males may affect newborns, boys during puberty,
and older men. By adulthood, 90 percent of cases are resolved. Later in
life, the incidence increases again with age.
Gynecomastia does not mean that someone has extra fat from being overweight.
It is caused by additional breast tissue. Doing an exercise or losing weight
will not reduce the breast tissue in gynecomastia.
Pseudogynecomastia is a separate condition, where fat builds up in the
breasts, possibly due to being overweight or obese.
Surgery for gynecomastia
Liposuction can remove excess fatty tissue. It involves inserting a thin
tube through an incision.
Excision means cutting out tissue with a scalpel, to remove excess glandular
tissue. This will normally leave a scar around the edge of the nipple.
In some cases, both excision and liposuction will be used.
