Gynaecomastia

Abstract

Gynae means ‘woman’ and mastos means ‘breast’ in Greek. Gynaecomastia is essentially the presence of excessive breast tissue in a male that gives the appearance of having actual breasts. Gynaecomastia affects men of all ages but is more commonly found in teenage boys and older men. It can affect either one or both breasts. It is an important area of men's health as gynaecomastia can cause physical embarrassment and psychological distress to the individual and can be a marker of serious underlying disease. This article reviews the assessment and management of patients presenting with gynaecomastia in primary care.