Enlarged breasts in boys, men can be a sign of gynecomastia

ABOUT 40-60% of Indian males experience gynecomastia at some point in their lives, as per data from the National Institute of Health (NIH).

- Kavita Bajeli-Datt

A relatively common disorder in which the amount of breast gland tissue increases, gynecomastia is common in newborns, boys going through puberty, and older men. This benign (noncancerous) enlarged breast (chest) tissue in males may develop due to natural changes in hormone levels.

According to Dr Quazi Ghazwan Ahmad, consultant, plastic surgery, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, this condition leads to the appearance of male breasts or "man boobs." However, the stigma, embarrassment, and lack of awareness are affecting the treatment of gynecomastia in boys and men.

"This occurs due to an imbalance between the hormones estrogen (which promotes breast tissue growth) and testosterone (which inhibits it). It may affect one or both breasts, sometimes unevenly, and is not related to body fat," Dr Ahmad clarified. He, however, said that it is often confused with pseudogynecomastia, where the chest appears enlarged due to excess fat deposits rather than actual glandular proliferation. True gynecomastia involves the presence of firm or rubbery breast tissue beneath the nipple and areola.