Are the masses tender to the touch? Do you have more fatty tissue than most on your pecs? Does anyone else in your family have or has had something similar? It sounds like gyncomastia. If it is the lumps will get somewhat bigger than dissipate but not disappear. You are stuck with them for life It's not from you stak.
The following is from a paper I wrote a while back about gyncomastia. You can read it or not im just putting it out there.
Abstract
Gynecomastia is a prevalent disorder in which glandular tissue in the male breast becomes proliferated. With this disorder affecting over half of all men it is important to be aware of the disease process so one can better understand when to seek medical attention. Most cases of gynecomastia are asymptomatic; however, the manifestations can result in a distorted body image. There have been many advances in treatment over the years most notably the upcoming use of radiofrequency waves to assist liposuction making the procedure more effective and recovery shorter. Only your doctor will be able to confirm whether or not you may be affected with gynecomastia but after reading this paper one will have a better understanding of the disease process, prevalence, and treatment options available.
An in Depth Look at Gynecomastia
According to Ruth E. Johnson, MD “Gynecomasia is defined as benign proliferation of male breast glandular tissue.”
Gynecomastia can be either symptomatic or asymptomatic. Asymptomatic gynecomastia is by far the most common affecting 60 to 90% of new bourns’, 50-60% of adolescents, and 70% of men aged 50 to 69. (Braunstein, 2007, para 1229-1237)
Gynecomastia is believed to be caused from the imbalance between estrogen action relative to androgen action in the breast tissue. The elevated estrogen levels are thought to be the result of increased extragonandal conversion of androgens to estrogens by an enzyme known as aromatase. This enzyme is found in tissues throughout the body and is responsible for the biosynthesis of estrogen through oxidation of androgens. (Nordt, 2008, para 375-382)
This process is usually coupled with an unrelated process of testosterone decrease from orchitis or pituitary diseases. Eventually this hormone imbalance results in ductal hyperplasia or abnormal growth of the breast tissue and the proliferation of glandular tissue. Obesity also contributes to the development of gynecomastia. The increased numbers of lipocytes, caused by obesity in individuals with higher estrogen levels, tend to congregate to the breast tissue. This gives the appearance of female like breast. After the proliferation of the glandular tissue has taken place the nipple usually will protrude out and become fuller and more rounded. There seems to be an increased prevalence of gynecomastia in men who use certain medications. These medications include AEC inhibitors, some antibiotic, chemotherapy agents, and other cardiac drugs.
People with gynecomastia will be able to feel a hardened lump in the center of their nipple which usually starts small and becomes bigger with time.
The patient usually discovers this subareolar nodule on their own. When the patient goes to see their doctor a full history will be taken including signs and symptoms the person is experiencing such as palpable mass, breast tenderness, enlargement, and nipple discharge. The nurse will ask if the patient has a history of un-descended testicles, mumps, liver or kidney disease, and if anyone else in the family has or has had similar symptoms. Gynecomastia is generally bilateral. The person usually has manifestations of a firm, tender, oval nodule directly underneath the nipple. The nodule in gynecomastia presents differently than in a malignant neoplasm in that the nodule is usually moveable, there is a lack of nipple drainage, and no skin color changes are present.
Once gynomastia has thought to be probable the patient will usually undergo a mammogram which has the ability to differentiate a gynecomastic nodule from a neoplasm. Rarely biopsies are needed to confirm the diagnosis. In instances where the etiology of the gynecomstia cannot be determined the doctor will check liver, kidney, and thyroid function to exclude other medical conditions that may manifest as gynecomastia. The doctor may choose to do hormone testing which includes total testosterone, estradiol, prolactin, luteinizing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin. These tests will lead to an endocrine etiology. In many cases the gynecomastia with be idiopathic in origin.
Gynecomastia is usually benign and doesn’t require any treatment. Over a period of time scar tissue usually replaces proliferated tissue which resolves the tenderness. If the gynecomastia starts during puberty it will usually subside by the end of puberty, however, if pain persists or the patient exhibits psychological distress they can opt for a more aggressive treatment.
There are 2 main types of treatments available, pharmacological and surgical. Medications can be used to treat this condition in a variety of ways. Estrogen receptor modifiers such as Tamoxifen which bind to the estrogen receptor blocking actual estrogen from binding to the receptor are most common and have the highest success rate. There are also aromatase inhibitors which block the conversion and biosynthesis from androgens such as Testolactone but have a much lower success and reversal rate than other medications used.
Surgery is the most common treatment for gynecomastia. Subcutaneous mastectomy is the preferred choice among surgeons. It involves the resection of the glandular tissue. Liposuction may accompany the glandular tissue resection if the breast itself is enlarged. This procedure is usually tolerated well with minimal complications, however with a nearly 80% spike in elective surgery to reverse gynecomastia in 2008 a company called Bodytite has manufactured a device which will make the liposuction procedure less painful, recovery time shorter, and will firm up the skin over the breast.
BodyTite permanently removes fat through the use of bipolar radiofrequency energy, which is precisely delivered to fat deposits by use of a probe inserted through a 3 millimeter incision in the skin of the treatment area. The doctor uses a touch screen input system to input pertinent information, which allows for ease of use for the provider, as well as increased comfort and safety for the patient. The bipolar radiofrequency energy is used to liquefy fat cells, which are then removed through aspiration. At the same time, radio waves encourage connective tissue and collagen to contract, resulting in enhanced skin firmness, while the precise deliver of energy ensures less trauma to surrounding tissue, as well as less bleeding and swelling. (
http://www.dermanetwork.org/article/bodytite-liposuction-coming-soon.html)
Though still in its primary clinical trials this machine will use radiofrequency waves to heat up the adipose tissue until it liquefies making liposuction more effective with less trauma. The heating of the skin allegedly makes the skin contract firming up the area. This is supposed to be a long term treatment for the loose skin that usually accompanies liposuction.
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