Gynecomastia is the medical term for benign enlargement of the male breast tissue. While this tissue is normally benign, cancer (both in the breast and elsewhere in the body) can also cause breast enlargement, and should be ruled out. Whenever breast tissue is removed, it should be sent for pathologic diagnosis. Breast tissue which is large, rapidly growing, hard and asymmetric is more suspicious.

Gynecomastia often presents at birth, but as the mother’s estrogen leaves her son, the breasts often shrink to a normal size. Problematic gynecomastia more often presents at puberty. Often a lump of breast tissue will develop in the male breast in response to adult hormones.

Gynecomastia can be unilateral (one sided) or bilateral (present on both sides). It may be painless, but is often tender. It may resolve on it own, or continue to enlarge. If the male breast tissue continues to grow, however, it often leads to increasing discomfort, concern and embarrassment.

This video segment discusses gynecomastia. San Francisco’s KRON4 provides the platform for discussion. This gynecomastia video was broadcast live on Body Beautiful, and reviews gynecomastia cosmetic surgery. The 800 number displayed was for the live show only. If you have questions about gynecomastia reduction surgery, please call my Walnut Creek Plastic Surgery Office at (925) 943-6353, or use the contact form to the left.

Gynecomastia Reduction San Francisco

This is video covers:

• The treatment options for male breast reduction (gynecomastia plastic surgery):
  • Gynecomastia liposuction treatments
  • Gynecomastia surgical resection (gynecomastia reduction)
  • Male breast reduction surgery
• The reasons for male breast reduction
• The influence of weight loss on gynecomastia
• Some frequent causes of gynecomastia
  • Puberty
  • Medications
  • Hormones
  • Testicular tumors
  • And the most common – idiopathic (no known cause)

Viewer calls answered include a woman who desires perkier breasts, and a woman who is 9 months after a breast reduction surgery.

Additional Gynecomastia Resources

Click here for more information from the gynecomastia page on DrMele.com.

And here for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ Gynecomastia Podcast.