At puberty, girls begin producing estrogen. This stimulates breast tissue to grow and form breasts. When boys go through puberty, however, they produce mostly testosterone and very little estrogen. Because of the high testosterone, boys develop male characteristics such as a deeper voice and facial hair, and their breasts usually stay very small. However, several conditions in boys can lead to breast development. Breasts may also form in adult men when there is a hormonal problem or another disorder. In rare cases, men may also develop breast cancer.
Gynecomastia
Growth of abnormally large breasts in boys or men is called gynecomastia. It results from the growth of breast tissue and not fat, so it's not related to obesity. According to MedlinePlus.com, about half of boys develop gynecomastia at some time during puberty. It usually goes away on its own after several months. Gynecomastia can also appear in adult men for several reasons, although MayoClinic.com says the cause is never found in about one case in four. Swollen breasts may be tender, or there may be nipple discharge.
Causes of Gynecomastia in Men
In men, any condition that upsets the balance between testosterone and estrogen may cause gynecomastia. For example, a problem in the pituitary may cause a drop in testosterone production by the testes. An estrogen-producing tumor in one of the testes may also result in gynecomastia. According to MayoClinic.com, there are several other causes of gynecomastia, including hyperthyroidism, kidney or liver failure or the use of body-building steroids. Growth of breast tissue may also be a side effect of treatments for prostate cancer or for AIDS. Occasionally, normal changes in hormones that accompany aging can also cause breast enlargement in men.
Treatment of Gynecomastia
Painful or swollen breasts may be treated with cold compresses or analgesics, according to MedlinePlus.com. In all cases, a boy or man who experiences breast enlargement should consult a doctor. If the breast enlargement in an adolescent boy is extreme, a doctor may prescribe hormone treatments to block the effect of estrogen, or he may suggest breast reduction surgery.
Breast Cancer in Men
Although breast cancer occurs most often in women, it also can develop in men. Usually, breast cancer in men develops later in life, between ages 60 and 70. There are several known risk factors for male breast cancer, including exposure to radiation, a family history of breast cancer or the presence of other diseases that cause high estrogen levels. Symptoms of breast cancer in men are similar to those in women. They include breast lumps, changes in the nipples or skin over the breast area, or a discharge from the nipple. According to the American Cancer Society, there are several different types of breast cancer in men, just as there are for women, and some forms are more aggressive than others.
Treatment of Breast Cancer in Men
In men, breast cancer is usually treated with a mastectomy to remove the breast, followed by radiation or chemotherapy, or both. Sometimes, a man also receives hormone therapy to block estrogen, or an oncologist may prescribe targeted therapy with drugs that block cancer-related genes.
