Gynecomastia may keep coming back as long as there are breast tissues and the root cause of this condition is not resolved. This is the enlargement of the breast tissues and not the accumulation of fat in the breast. Before majority of the tissues are enlarged, a lump will grow first. The root causes that need to be resolved include liver or kidney disease existing for a long period of time. Damage to the liver cells can be attributed to the excessive alcohol intake, excessive hormones, and chemicals in the blood.
Liver is the main filtrating organ in the body. It’s also the organ that can break down, metabolize, and synthesize molecules and compounds. It is the organ that has the most function and is the largest internal organ in the body. Since it plays a big role in the breakdown and production of hormones, it has various roles in the balance of hormones. A damaged liver that cannot optimize its function cannot anymore maintain the balance of estrogen and testosterone.
When the liver senses that there’s an excess in estradiol levels, it breaks that estradiol down to other forms of estrogen, one of which has a potent effect. This converted form of estrogen can bind to the tissues that have abundant estrogen receptors, such as the breast, ovary, and prostate. Estrogen can then trigger the cancer cells to become active, as what theories and studies claim.
This means that men with gynecomastia are prone to develop breast cancer. Once the breast tissue enlarges, it is an indication that there is an underlying serious condition that needs to be addressed sooner to avoid complications. Breast tissue enlargement is just a sign of a disease, but if that progresses to cancer, that’s where a surgery should be done.
Even with the total removal of the breast, the cancer can still be there, which can spread to the distant organs. Even if the person opts for a surgical procedure, as long as the estrogen level is still high, there’s no way he can escape from cancer. It can target the prostate. Those who are embarrassed for having an enlarged breast can undergo surgery and a hormonal replacement therapy.
Enlargement of breast tissues can occur in a newborn, as a result of the maternal estrogen that has stayed in the body of the newborn. In this case, the breast tissue goes back to normal in a matter of weeks. Gynecomastia that occurs in elderly men is brought about by another condition. The breast tissue doesn’t go back to the way it was before.
As a man ages, his testosterone level goes down, which is part of the aging process. As a result, breast tissue enlargement develops. This may be one of the reasons that older men take testosterone supplements and anabolic steroids. But instead of those drugs causing a desired effect, it can even elevate the estradiol level.
The factor that causes breast growth in men is hormonal change, which is caused by a serious disease or a genetic anomaly.