Gynecomastia or gynaecomastia is the development of abnormally large breasts in men resulting in breast enlargement. The term comes from the Greek word gyne meaning "woman" and mastos meaning "breast" meaning enlarged male breasts as in female body. This condition is also called Moobs, male breasts or breasts on male chest in common language. Enlarged breasts on a man however can be uncomfortable, as well as socially and psychologically demoralizing. The condition can be due to physiological changes and the physiological conditions include, in newborns (due to female hormones from the mother), in adolescence, and in the elderly. In adolescent boys or teens, in the large majority of boys whose pubertal gynecomastia is not due to obesity, the breast lump shrinks or disappears within a couple of years. In approx. 90% patients, it may be Primary meaning no definite cause can be found. In remaining 10% patients, the causes can range from hereditary factors, hormonal imbalances, obesity, anabolic steroid use, ma*****na use, benign or malignant breast tumors, genetic disorders, testicular atrophy, supplemental hormones and other medications and liver disease. The condition is normally due to excess growth of glandular and fatty tissue in the male breast, and occurs in roughly 40 to 60% of men. Breast prominence can result from benign hypertrophy or proliferation of breast tissue, chest fatty tissue and skin, and is typically a combination. This condition is also associated with enlarged ni**le ar**la complex (NAC), known as puffy ni**les. Breast prominence due solely to excessive adipose or chest fat is often termed pseudogynecomastia or lipomastia and is generally associated with loose skin (Flabby Chest). Gynecomastia is different from hypertrophy of the pectoralis muscles caused by excess exercise and body building. Treatment/ cure of Gynecomastia can be medical or surgical. Medical treatment is generally indicated where cause is identifiable. Surgery involves breast reduction surgery by liposuction procedure with or without gland excision. Surgery to correct gynecomastia can be performed on healthy men of any age. The best candidates for surgery have firm, elastic skin that will reshape to the body's new contours. If gynecomastia is primarily caused by fatty tissue, ultrasonic liposuction is usually the procedure of choice at Anticlock Medispa, India's top private surgery clinic. Using a vacuum system attached to the ultrasonic cannula, excess fat cells are sucked out. If gynecomastia is the result of a glandular disorder, liposuction alone is not likely to be adequate and in addition to fat, all glandular breast tissue directly under the ni**le is also removed. If gynecomastia is extreme and large amounts of fat and gland tissue have to be removed, excess skin may also have to be excised to prevent post surgery sagging. Male breast reduction is performed by Dr K M Kapoor, on a daycare basis using local or general anesthesia. The surgery takes between 1-3 hours depending on the severity of the condition. Bed rest is required for the first day. A special compression garment will be worn for about four weeks. Within 7 days, all sutures are removed. Most people are able to return to sedentary work within three to seven days, and resume more strenuous activities in two to three weeks time. The results of the procedure are significant and permanent. Most men who have had surgery for gynecomastia have been very satisfied with the results.
