Liposuction of the male breast is one of the four areas on men most commonly treated by liposuction. The other areas are the abdomen, flanks, and facial liposuction. Men with excessive fat in their breasts are good candidates for liposuction.

The normal male breast contains both fat tissue and glandular tissue. True breast tissue in males is typically a small localized lump located immediately under the nipple that is more firm than the surrounding fatty tissue. It is easy to remove fatty breast tissue by liposuction, but much more difficult to remove glandular tissue. A mammogram can help determine the amount of glandular tissue located within the surrounding fatty tissue.

Pseudo-gynecomastia

Pseudo-gynecomastia is an enlarged male breast caused by excessive fat tissue, but a normal amount of glandular breast tissue. Pseudo-gynecomastia occurs in many men as they become older and in younger men who are relatively obese.

Pseudo-gynecomastia can be effectively treated by liposuction.

Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is an enlarged male breast caused by excessive glandular tissue. Excess breast tissue occurs in about 75% of young boys during puberty. This condition is normally temporary, and only lasts a few months. In 33% of puberal cases, the condition subsided within one year, and in 93% of cases, the condition subsided in three years.^1
1Ersek RA, Schaeferele M, Beckham PH, Salisbury MA, Gynecomastia: A clinical review, Aesth Surg J 2000, 20:55-58

Gynecomastia can be treated by eliminating the cause or by surgical excision.

Possible causes of gynecomastia: (not an exhaustive list)

• alcoholism
• effect of medications
• low levels of testosterone
• renal failure
• testicular canceradrenal tumors
• cirrhosis of the liver
• severe starvation
• lung cancer
• tuberculosis
• hyperthyroidism

If a man has a single enlarged breast, it may be a breast tumor and a doctor may consider a mammogram.

Drugs
Drugs that can cause gynecomastia include:
• Amiloride (Moduretic)
• Amiodarone (Cordarone)
• Amphetamines
• Anabolic steroids
• Antiandrogens (cyproterone)
• Anticancer drugs (cytotoxic)
• Androgens
• Busulfan (Myleran)
• Captopril (Capoten)
• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Clomiphene (Clomid)
• Diazepam (Valium)
• Diethylpropion (Tenuate)
• Digitalis
• Domperidone
•Estrogens
•Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
•Marijuana
•Methyldopa
•Metoclopramide
• Nifedipine (Procardia)
• Nitrosourea
• Penicillamine
• Phenothiazines
• Phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Reserpine
• Spironolactone (Aldactone)
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Vincristine

You'll want to discuss any connection between your condition and any drugs you are taking with your physician.

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