Gynecomastia natural history, complications and prognosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

Overview

• If left untreated, [#]% of patients with [disease name] may progress to develop [manifestation 1], [manifestation 2], and [manifestation 3].
• Common complications of [disease name] include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
• Prognosis is generally excellent/good/poor, and the 1/5/10-year mortality/survival rate of patients with [disease name] is approximately [#]%.

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

Natural History

• The signs of gynecomastia usually develops in neonatal, in pubertal age or in elderly.

• Without treatment gynecomastia has some associated risk of breast cancer, however, the majority of physiological gynecomastia resolves in months to years time.

• Secondary gynecomastia usually responds to treatment or removal of the underlying cause.

Complications

• Complications of gynecomastia include:
  • Persistent pubertal gynecomastia
  • Breast cancer
  • Psychological stressess

Prognosis

• Gynecomastia is a benign breast enlargement and the majority of adolescent gynecomastia resolved spontaneously.

• Persistent gynecomastia can cause psychosocial stresses and can be treated with surgical options with a good outcome.

Gynecomastia is not physically harmful, but in some cases can be an indicator of other more dangerous underlying conditions. Growing glandular tissue, typically from some form of hormonal stimulation, is often tender or painful. Furthermore, it can frequently present social and psychological difficulties for the sufferer. Weight loss can alter the condition in cases where it is triggered by obesity, but losing weight will not reduce the glandular component and patients cannot target areas for weight loss. Massive weight loss can result in sagging tissues about the chest, chest ptosis, or drooping chest.