Gynaecomastia
Introduction to Gynaecomastia
Welcome to the Gynaecomastia subsection of the Endocrinology for the MSRA course. This section is designed to provide comprehensive and structured learning materials to help you understand and master the topic of Gynaecomastia for the MSRA.
In this subsection, you will find the following Gynaecomastia for the MSRA resources:
- Gynaecomastia Revision Notes for the MSRA: Detailed and concise traditional revision notes covering all essential aspects of Gynaecomastia, including its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. These notes are based on UK NICE guidelines and are formatted in tables for easy recall.
- Gynaecomastia Flashcards for the MSRA: Interactive flashcards to help you memorise key facts and concepts about Gynaecomastia. These are perfect for quick reviews and reinforcing your knowledge for the MSRA exam.
- Gynaecomastia Accordion Q&A Notes for the MSRA: Engage in active learning with question-and-answer style revision notes in the accordion format. This format is useful for testing your understanding of Gynaecomastia and focusing on areas needing improvement.
- Gynaecomastia Rapid Fire Quiz for the MSRA: A short quiz to test your knowledge and recall of Gynaecomastia-related concepts. It’s an excellent way to assess your progress and pinpoint areas for further review.
Key Points about Gynaecomastia:
- Definition: Gynaecomastia is the benign enlargement of male breast tissue, resulting from an imbalance between oestrogen (stimulating breast tissue growth) and androgens. It can be unilateral or bilateral and may occur at any age.
- Causes: It can be physiological (newborns, puberty, older age) or pathological. Pathological causes include hormonal imbalances (e.g., hyperthyroidism, hypogonadism), drug-induced (e.g., spironolactone, anti-androgens, anabolic steroids), chronic diseases (e.g., liver cirrhosis, renal failure), and neoplasms (e.g., testicular tumours, adrenal tumours).
- Symptoms: Presents as a palpable, firm, rubbery mass underneath the nipple, which may be tender or painful. Unlike lipomastia (fat tissue), gynaecomastia has a central disk of glandular tissue and may be associated with nipple changes.
- Diagnosis: Diagnosis is primarily clinical, with evaluation of patient history and physical examination. Investigations may include hormonal assays (testosterone, oestrogen, prolactin, thyroid function tests) and imaging (mammography, ultrasound) if malignancy or other pathology is suspected. Further tests like liver, renal function, and tumour markers may be necessary based on clinical suspicion.
- Management: Management depends on the underlying cause. Physiological gynaecomastia often resolves spontaneously. In cases with identifiable pathology, addressing the cause (e.g., discontinuing causative drugs, treating hormonal imbalances) is crucial. Medical treatment options include tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors in persistent cases. Surgical intervention (mastectomy) may be considered for severe or persistent gynaecomastia.
- Complications: Psychological distress, pain, or discomfort may arise due to the physical and social implications of gynaecomastia. Rarely, if associated with an underlying malignancy, complications related to the cancer itself may occur.
We hope you find these MSRA revision resources helpful and engaging as you prepare for the MSRA.
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Free MSRA Podcast: Gynaecomastia