Gynecomastia: histological appearance in different age groups

Gynecomastia is a common finding in the male population which is mostly idiopathic. The aim of our study was to analyze the histological differences in young and old patient groups and its association with recurrence rates.

Three hundred and five gynecomastia patients (555 breasts) undergoing surgical treatment from 1997 to 2015 were divided into four groups: Group 1: 13-17 years, Group 2: 18-30 years, Group 3: 31-49 years and Group 4: 50-83 years. They were evaluated concerning clinical classification, histological differences and association with antiandrogen or steroids/immunosuppressive therapy.

We found that the rate of florid gynecomastia was higher in older patient groups, while fibrous gynecomastia was more common in adolescents and young adults (p = .0180). Glandular gynecomastia was more frequent in younger patients, while in the older patient groups, lipomatous gynecomastia was more common (p = .0006). Patients presenting with florid gynecomastia showed a higher rate of recurrence than patients with the fibrous type of gynecomastia (12.5 and 4.7%, respectively). Of note, 18.75% of florid gynecomastia was associated with antiandrogen agents or steroid/immunosuppressive therapy, while only 4.69% of fibrous gynecomastia was associated with antiandrogenic or immunosuppressive therapy. However, there was no increase of recurrence rates in patients using antiandrogen agents or undergoing steroid/immunosuppressive therapy.

Fibrous gynecomastia was found to be more common in adolescents and young adults, while the florid type was more frequent in older patients. Patients presenting with florid gynecomastia showed a higher rate of recurrence than patients with the fibrous type of gynecomastia.