Health warning over enlarged breast tissue in boys
An 11-year-old boy with enlarged breasts has received corrective plastic surgery at Huashan Hospital.
Doctors said enlarged breasts in males can occur during infancy and puberty, and timely medical treatment is important.
The condition of enlarged breasts among men is called gynecomastia, which stems from an excess of estrogens compared with androgens.
“Researchers found it is a common condition among normally developing males during puberty," said Dr Wu Baojin from Huashan Hospital’s plastic surgery department.
About 40 percent of males experiencing puberty can have the problem, which disappears with the change of hormone levels.
There are also medical reasons for enlarged breasts such as drug use, disorders of the male sex organ and tumors. It is therefore important to carry out tests and checkups.
“Some teenage boys suffer mental issues from having enlarged breasts so plastic surgery is a good choice for them," Wu said. “The minimally invasive surgery can remove the excessive breast tissue and also reduce the risk for breast cancer in some patients.”
Dr Wu Baojin (second from right) from Huashan Hospital's Plastic Surgery Department explains to a patient with enlarged breasts.
