Prophylactic Breast Radiotherapy for Cancer Patients with Gynecomastia

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For males suffering from prostate cancer, they are at risk for developing gynecomastia as a result of needed hormone replacement therapies. That is why prophylactic breast radiotherapy is performed after every session.

Gynecomastia is a term for the development of female breasts in a man’s chest due to the proliferation of breast tissue. It is also known in street slang as “man boobs” or “bitch tits”, and it is caused by an imbalance in hormones with the scale tipping towards the female hormones.

Yes, men do have some estrogen, and when the amount of androgens are overridden by the female hormones is when secondary sex characteristics appear; increased breast size being one of them.

However there are also other causes that trigger gynecomastia in males. It could be due to diet, anabolic steroids, chronic liver disease, marijuana use, and hormone treatment for men with prostate cancer.

The usual treatment given to those with advanced prostate cancer are antiandrogen drugs. This is in response to the increased levels of androgen as a result of this type of cancer. That is why anti-androgen drugs are necessary. And this hormone treatment is known as androgen deprivation therapy or androgen ablation.

Studies found that hormone therapy done as adjunct treatment to radiation therapy as treatment for the kind of prostate cancer that is more likely to come back is effective in prolonging a patient’s chance to live. But these patients should be prepared for the side effects that the treatment can produce, with gynecomastia being one of the prominent outcomes.

That is why low-dose radioatherapy is done as prophylactic or preventive treatment for cancer patients receiving hormone therapies. Studies provide support to its success, one being the Scandinavian study which aimed to prove the significance of breast prophylactic radiotherapy in reducing the incidence of gynecomastia in men who received anti-androgen treatment.

In the mentioned study, it was discovered that 71% of patients who did not receive any prophylactic treatment developed gynecomastia. Meanwhile only 21% among those who had low dose radiotherapy grew man boobs.

In a study that was conducted by Ozen et.al., which sought to find the necessity of prophylactic breast radiotherapy for all patients with prostate cancer and gynecomastia, they found that there is some amount of improvement for those who received therapy.

In a span of 12 months, there research found out that there was an much lesser occurrence of gynecomastia for those who had radiotherapy, with 15.8% compared to 50.8% from the non-prophylactic group. The study also showed that there was lesser reports of pain and discomfort among from the prophylactic group.

However, according to this study the numbers were not significant enough to warrant a necessity of prophylactic breast radiotherapy for prostate cancer patients under hormone treatment. The researchers concluded that not all patients need prophylactic treatment because according to their results, only 54% were significantly bothered by the formation of man boobs.

The researchers suggested that individual evaluation should be done to assess which patients really need prophylactic breast radiotherapy for gynecomastia.  A similar study conducted by Lewis, Cassoni and Payne also had the same conclusion. This treatment is done for younger patients who have a longer lifespan wherein a recurrence of the cancer is highly likely.

Gynecomastia Surgery FAQ's in Brisbane Sydney-Canberra (SlideShare)

Gynecomastia Surgery FAQ's in Brisbane Sydney-Canberra from Anna Campos

Protein Drinks and Man Boobs

Aside from getting leaner muscles most guys who are using protein drinks are also worried whether it can also cause them to have man boobs. Some are realizing that as they continue to down glasses of these supposedly body building drinks to create a more masculine physique; it is also slowly betraying them with gradual breast enlargement.

So to answer the question on whether protein drinks causes man boobs, yes it does. But this is also dependent on the type of protein that you are taking.

One of the popular protein drinks that is sold in the market are whey protein, and it is usually prepared as shakes. It serves as a useful snack for bodybuilders since they need to nourish their muscles to help these grow and buff up. Being a quick fix for protein it encourages protein synthesis, and it also hinders the action of the stress hormone cortisol which is produced after workouts. Increased cortisol levels can shut down muscle growth.

A simple shake whipped out of whey protein powder even makes a fast and easy breakfast that will easily satisfy the muscles need for protein in order for them to rebuild.

Whey protein is actually a high quality protein that is made out of cow’s milk. And what most guys are unaware of is that milk can negatively affect man boobs.

Related Post: From Smoking Pot to Man Boobs

Milk is sold in two ways in the market; it can either be organic or non-organic. For those who are health conscious and are looking for safer means to obtain nutrients, they would opt for the organic. But the problem here is that when it comes to gynecomastia organic milk is just as compromising as its non-organic counterpart.

Organic milk comes from cows, but the caveat here is that for cows only produce milk when they are pregnant. And naturally when an animal is pregnant their estrogen levels are also increased. Since estrogen is the hormone that is responsible for man boobs, exposing your body to it by taking organic milk increases your chances of forming female breasts.

That is why when it comes to choosing those body building supplements you have to be very careful about exactly what is in the ingredients. Fortunately whey protein is not as bad as soy when it comes to causing gynecomastia.

Weight builders should be very careful because most drinks not only contain whey proteins but also soy proteins that are listed under other names in the ingredients list. Other names in which soy is also marketed include TSF (Textured Soy Flour), Lecithin, MSG (Monosodium Glutamate), mono-diglyceride, Textured Soy Protein (TSP) and Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP).

But what makes the situation worse, with most of us being unaware of it is that a lot of soy products are genetically engineered. This result in the formation of soy isolate and this can be found in energy bars, weight gain or protein powders, and shakes.

Soy also contains genistein and daidzen which are chemicals that mimic the action of estrogen. And for those who are fond of eating protein bars or protein shakes, the exposure that they have can lead to side effects such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, lowered sperm count, mood swings and man boobs.

So before you purchase bottles of those protein shakes, try to check their list of ingredients first. Make sure that you are not subjecting your body to estrogenic compounds that can gradually increases your breast size behind the scenes.

Gynecomastia Lowers Teenagers Psychosocial Well-Being

According to study that was published in the April issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), male adolescents who are suffering from gynecomastia have lower psychosocial wellbeing.

Laura C. Nuzzi and her colleagues from Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School conducted the study to determine the physical and psychosocial impact of gynecomastia on adolescent males seeking treatment. They then compared the results to those taken from healthy males.

It is true that aside from the physical issue that those affected by gynecomastia face, they also have to deal with how it affects them psychosocially. Having man boobs can easily crush one’s self confidence, especially at a time where body image is very delicate.

The team prepared a survey that was administered to 47 adolescents with gynecomastia against 92 controls. All of the participants were between the ages 12-21.

The researchers used the Short Form-36 Version 2 which is used to evaluate the individual patient’s health status, to research on the cost effectiveness of a treatment and to monitor and compare the disease burden. In addition to that they also used the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Eating Attitudes Test-26.

The results showed that those suffering with gynecomastia had a higher body mass index than the control group. There was also no difference observed between the Eating Attitude Test-26 scores of patients and controls.

They also established that the severity of gynecomastia had no effect on survey scores, and it was independent of body mass index category.

The results showed that gynecomastia causes a significant negative impact on psychosocial well-being for those male adolescents affected by it. It particularly targets social functioning, mental heal and self-esteem. And the severity of the disease doesn’t affect the psychosocial impact done to the patient.

These results are important not only to health care providers but also to anyone who know someone who might be suffering from this condition.

This is not something to be laughed about or something to be taken lightly. The psychosocial impairments created by gynecomastia should be taken into consideration when helping someone deal with the problem. Not only will the physical aspect be addressed but the psychosocial as well.

Those affected by it reported of embarrassment, rejection, humiliation, and teasing. And this was further supported by case reports with these affected adolescents sharing that they feel increasingly lonely, restless and tense. There are also related reports which revealed a higher associated on depression, adjustment disorders, anxiety and suicidal ideation.

The researchers found that in their sample, self-reported social and mental health was more highly impacted compared to physical health. This shows that those subjects with gynecomastia had a decreased health-related quality of life compared to healthy individuals. They are also observed to exhibit a low social function level accompanied by more disordered eating thoughts as well as behaviours.

The authors of the study wrote, “Our results indicate that careful and regular evaluation for gynecomastia may benefit adolescents regardless of body mass index status or severity of gynecomastia. Additional prospective studies examining treatment outcomes in this population are needed.”

From Smoking Pot to Man Boobs

Photograph by: Ted S. Warren, The Associated Press , The Canadian Press

Marijuana still remains to be among the most popular recreational drugs out there. From its golden age back in the sixties until today, marijuana still proved itself to give that certain relief and high. But as much as it might be very enjoyable to some, marijuana is a controlled substance for good reason.

By now, we are all aware of its list of detrimental effects to the human body. And if you are a man who is fond of having a joint or two, studies show that this can cause man boobs to develop. And if you are keen on keeping your masculine features, you might want to rethink before puffing on another roll.

Gynecomastia, or more commonly known as man boobs, is a condition where males develop female breasts. This can either present as a puffy nipple or a full blown breast.

There are various causes for gynecomastia, from medications, hormonal imbalance, certain conditions, and yes marijuana. Back in the day studies are already shedding light on how marijuana affects the normal function of the endocrine system (the part responsible for hormone production), which eventually results to marijuana-induced gynecomastia.

Tests were done on male rodents, and the results showed a decrease in testosterone levels. The same results were also found when the same tests were done on primates. Human studies also concluded that chronic use of marijuana gradually decreases their major male hormone. As an effect, the normal circulating estrogen in the male system will be more which eventually triggers gynecomastia to occur.

However a cohort study to prove this claim concluded otherwise. They are saying that this certain consequence to chronic marijuana use has not been established firmly.

But studies also showed that the relationship between marijuana and gynecomastia is plausible, due to the strong affinity of its smoke to estrogen. The Mayo Clinic also claimed that marijuana, along with alcohol, heroine, amphetamines, and methadone are street drugs or substances that can trigger gynecomastia.

But this should not simply be the reason why you should stop or avoid smoking pot, since there is a wide range of health risks and complications that is capable to produce.

Gynecomastia, although not malignant, can certainly affect a person’s body image. And if you are unaware of other factors that are already making you vulnerable to it, and you aggravate the situation by smoking pot, you only increase the gravity of the condition.

Aside from affecting your masculinity, marijuana use can also affect your fertility. It can shrink the testes; create abnormal sperm and affects normal sperm count. Dose-related oligospermia (low sperm count) was observed in patients who are chronic marijuana smokers.

If you have a history with marijuana and man boobs are taking the front stage on your chest, aside from stopping the habit, you should have yourself checked by a doctor. This is to clear you off from other problems that may have contributed to your condition. Blood tests and a thorough evaluation may have to be done, in that way appropriate treatment can be given for a much successful result.

Sources and Citations

www.realself.com/blog/usage-lead-man-boobs
www.asylum.com/2008/04/08/marijuana-can-cause-man-boobs-and-other-things/

Is Tamoxifen an Effective Treatment for Gynecomastia?

Image Source: parentherald.com

Tamoxifen appears safe and effective in men with painful idiopathic or physiological gynaecomastia and should be considered as an initial option before contemplating surgery, a medical research revealed.

Gynecomastia affects a lot of males in the US alone, although not many come out to share their concerns, leading most of those who have it to suffer in silence. Another thing is that it doesn’t choose any age for it to strike. It can affect infants to men in their old age.

The problem with gynecomastia is that it can be triggered by a number of factors. This includes hormone, obesity, medications, drugs, aging, tumors, hyperthyroidism, and hypogonadism.  Because of the variety of causes the treatment should also be customized for each unique case.

Treatment options include medications, hormone therapy, lifestyle changes and even surgery. But one treatment in particular that we should focus on is tamoxifen.

This particular treatment acts on the hormonal changes that occur on the inside that triggers gynecomastia. The main used of this product is for the treatment of breast cancer, and research found that this is also an appropriate drug to treat gynecomastia.

Tamoxifen treats cancer by blocking strong estrogenic effects in the system which actually encourages the tumor to grow and thrive. With gynecomastia, the ratio of testosterone and estrogen falls out of balance, with the latter increasing in amounts. That is why tamoxifen can be considered a good treatment for this condition because it blocks the increased amounts of oxygen.

Tamoxifen is especially helpful when it comes to treating pubertal gynecomastia. If the condition does not resolve easily, this drug can be given also to relieve the emotional distress that it also causes.

Men who are also into taking anabolic steroids to look buff or improve performance also put their bodies at risk in developing gynecomastia. It can be expected that after a cycle of steroids, there is a good chance that the breast can increase in size. But treatment with tamoxifen gynecomastia can be prevented in the initial stages.

In another situation where men who are also afflicted with prostate cancer take anti-androgen therapy, they may be at a heightened the risk for gynecomastia due to the resulting increase of estrogen in the system.

There are also other instances where the cause for gynecomastia cannot be determined, or what is called idiopathic. For this particular reason, a tamoxifen treatment could be very important especially if the condition is going on for months without any signs of relief.

But it is also important that proper treatment is done so that the drug can reach its desired effect. This means that there should be a right time for the treatment, and it should be done before the breast tissue enlarges for a long period of time. Otherwise, it wouldn’t do enough to create significant relief.

So if you suspect that you may have gynecomastia, immediately consult a doctor so that prompt treatment can be given. In this way you can also save yourself the stress and embarrassment that is associated with the condition. 

Source and Citation 

Hanavadi, S., et.al., (2006). The role of tamoxifen in the management of gynaecomastia. Abstract Retrieved from Science Direct.

Gynecomastia and Breast Cancer in Men: Are They Related?

Image Source: wikihow.com

Men suffering gynecomastia should not panic really panic because the chances of getting breast cancer is very small.

One of the common concerns that men have when they see their breasts growing in size and palpate a lump underneath is whether it is just gynecomastia or is it breast cancer?

This is actually a good question and no you are not overreacting, because you can never be too careful especially when you observe your body showing unusual characteristics.

Gynecomastia is a condition that is mainly caused by a marked imbalance of your hormones. The two hormones involved here are testosterone and estrogen. You might wonder you have a female hormone in your system but this is actually normal. Every male have minute amounts of estrogen in the body, just as females also possess some amounts of testosterone.

When the ratio of testosterone to estrogen goes out of whack, with the latter increasing in amounts in your system, gynecomastia eventually occurs. This affects 35 to 40 percent of males at any point in time in their lives; from newborns to elderly. But it is right to know that this condition is noncancerous. The breast tissues that proliferate in excess amounts are actually benign.

However on the subject on whether it is linked to breast cancer, the Mayo Clinic states that this breast enlargement in males may slightly increase their risk to breast cancer. But those who have gynecomastia should not panic because the chances of breast cancer from developing out of this condition is very small.

In a related research done by Olsson et.al., (2005), they concluded that there is a significant risk for squamous cell carcinoma and testicular cancer in males who were operated for gynecomastia.

Other factors that increase a male’s risk to breast cancer are a genetic predisposition or a strong family history and those who are of Jewish origin. But you can always have this checked by the doctor to see if it is plainly hormonal and can relieve on its own, or if it is showing signs of malignancy.

That is why men are also advised to perform self-breast examination (SBE). Although rare with a total of 400 cases of mortality each year, it can highly be avoided through early detection.

Whether or not you are experiencing gynecomastia, regularly perform SBE to check for lumps and irregularities. Sometimes breast masses that are cancerous are not always palpable that is why if you are anxious that your gynecomastia lump might be malignant it is always the best option to be consulted by a doctor. In that way you can get proper breast examination through an ultrasound or a diagnostic mammogram to properly evaluate any growth.

Palpation techniques and massages will also help you determine if what you actually have is actually gynecomastia or psuedogynecomastia. The latter is something that is much less serious because this is simply the proliferation of fatty tissues in your chest. Other lumps that you would probably appreciate could be cysts, blood collection or fatty tumors.

If you have any concerns about gynecomastia it is always best that you get yourself evaluated by a doctor. Through this you can also get proper blood workup to see if your gynecomastia is also triggered by other underlying conditions, which you should actually worry about. 

Sources and Citation

Olsson, H. et.al (2002). Male Gynecomastia and Risk for Malignant Tumours – A Cohort Study. BioMed Central Cancer. Retrieved from www.biomedcentral.com

Gynaecomastia and breast cancer in men

Catherine B Niewoehner, Anna E Schorer

BMJ. 2008 March 29; 336(7646): 709–713. doi: 10.1136/bmj.39511.493391.BE

PMCID: PMC2276281. Retrieve from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

7 Common Causes of Gynecomastia Explained

Gynecomastia is an embarrassing medical condition affecting the lives of millions of men around the world. 

In this article, I will be sharing 7 causes of gynecomastia that you may first read or known. Everyone’s gynecomastia condition is different for everyone, so my disclaimer is that not all of these causes true to everybody.

Low Levels of Testosterone

Low testosterone levels can be caused by a number of factors, such as disorders of the male sex organs. When there is a decrease in testosterone levels, it tips the balance thus increasing the amount of estrogen in the system. This results to enlarged breasts because it causes the proliferation of glandular tissue of the breast.

Alcoholism

A glass of wine is okay every now and then, but doing too much can ultimately cause testosterone levels to drop resulting to the relative increase of estrogen. This decrease could last for as much as 12-20 hours. But if you continuously consume alcohol every day, this can lead to a permanent decrease in male hormone levels resulting to gynecomastia formation. Alcohol is also high in calories therefore aggravating the problem as it also increases fat deposits in the chest.

Renal Failure

Gynecomastia that is associated with renal failure is due to the dialysis treatment. Studies have shown that patient who suffered with chronic renal failure and treated with chronic intermittent hemodialysis experienced breast tenderness and gynecomastia due to hormonal changes. Also those men who have end stage renal disease may experience reduced testosterone levels. 

Liver Cirrhosis

Liver problems and the medications used for this particular medical condition causes hormonal fluctuations resulting to gynecomastia. In a study done by Cavanaugh et. al. correlating gynecomastia and cirrhosis of the liver, the researchers established that the prevalence of gynecomastia in cirrhotic patients was 44%.

Effects of medications

Hormones are easily affected by any medication that you introduce to your body. There are some that increase testosterone levels, while there are also others that decrease it. Unfortunately these side effects come with the benefits that these particular medications bring and this includes diuretics, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, antibiotics, anti-ulcer drugs, and antidepressants. Abruptly stopping the drug would not be advisable because this could result to serious complications. That is why before doing anything else, it is important to discuss this first with your primary care physician so he can prescribe you with an alternative.

Tuberculosis

It may be largely viewed that tuberculosis causes gynecomastia, but the truth of the matter is that the treatment process is the reason for bringing about this change. Reports show that gynecomastia occurred only after treatment. Although it does not always follow that gynecomastia results after tuberculosis treatment, there are those who develop this reaction. And this is because it is a rare adverse reaction to the anti-TB drug, isoniazid.

Testicular Tumors

Tumors in the testicular area can cause an increase in blood estrogen levels. These estrogen secreting tumors includes Leydig cell tumors, Sertoli cell tumors, adrenal tumors and granulosa cell tumors.  This estrogen overproduction eventually alters the shape of the male chest resulting in man boobs.

Source (s) and Citation (s)


Cavanaugh J. et.al., (1990). Gynecomastia and Cirrhosis of the Liver. Abstract retrieved from JAMA Internal Medicine.