Pain in the mammary gland in men. What men need to be wary of when they have chest pain. Recurrent chest pain in men.
Painful sensations in the nipples in men are a reason to sound the alarm. Despite the fact that such symptoms are not paid attention to, pain can hide health-threatening diseases, including cancer.
The mammary gland is a complex organ. Its development begins with a six-week embryo. The organ is formed from glandular, adipose and connective tissue. The shape and size of the breast are largely determined by fatty tissue, and not by the size of the gland. The basic unit of glandular tissue is the alveoli, a structure consisting of its own secretory cells that produce milk from nutrients. The secretory cells, in turn, are entwined with special myoepithelial cells.
The mammary gland is well supplied with blood vessels and nerve endings, and is sensitive to pressure, temperature changes and pain. Under the influence of the hormone progesterone, the glands and alveoli increase in size, and thanks to estrogen, the quantitative ratio of glandular and adipose tissue changes. Because of this, during the transition period girls often feel pain in the chest area.
Why do boys' nipples hurt?
Boys during the transition period, just like girls, may experience pain in the nipple area. This is due to various reasons. The main ones:
- Puberty, and, as a result, hormonal changes.
- Allergy to hygiene products or washing powders.
- Trauma, chest damage.
- Endocrine disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. These glands are involved in the production of male hormones. Their deficiency leads to incorrect formation of secondary sexual characteristics.
- Gynecomastia is breast enlargement in boys. This occurs either due to excess weight (obesity) or due to hormonal imbalances, lack of male hormones and excess female hormones;
- Breast cancer. As it develops, discharge from the nipples appears and the structure of the gland changes.
Causes of nipple pain in adult men
Male breasts are made up of canals and small vessels. Their structure increases sensitivity. Pain in the nipple area occurs rarely in men, and does not have such serious causes as in women. As a rule, if this happens, then there is a hormonal problem.
Why do nipples hurt in men?
- If we talk about what could serve as the basis for this, then the first thing that could be the cause is the occurrence of gynecomastia.
- The second reason is diseases of the endocrine system.
The physiological causes of pain associated with the mammary glands in men include the following:
- Increased or decreased thyroid function.
- Adrenal gland disorders.
- Ectopic gonadotropic secretion in bronchogenic carcinoma causing human choriogonadotropin.
- Testicular disease.
Pathological reasons:
- Genetic disorders. Gynecomastia can also be caused by congenital gene defects, such as androgen receptor dysfunction (congenital or acquired).
- Phytoestrogens or external contaminants, such as estrogens found in water, poultry meat.
- Medicines: anabolic, antihypertensive agents, calcium channel blockers, spironolactone (reduces androgen production), some antirheumatic drugs and antidepressants (increase prolactin levels), antiandrogens, antipsychotics, cimetidine (antagonizes androgen receptors in the periphery, increases prolactin).
Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is a syndrome that contains a complex of symptoms. Symptomatology manifests itself in the growth of male breasts and sore nipples. The syndrome affects about 60% of men at a young age, about forty - at the age of thirty, however, the disease is most likely to manifest itself in people of old age.
With gynecomastia, the mammary glands become enlarged and painful sensations appear in the nipple area. Breast enlargement occurs by 4-5 cm. All this causes not only physical, but also psychological problems.
In 9 out of 10 cases, with this disease, the level of the female hormone estrogen increases, while the amount of testosterone decreases. The problem may be hidden by the use of drugs, alcohol, or corticosteroids.
Gynecomastia often occurs in professional athletes who have completed their sports career.
As a rule, after a series of studies, the patient is prescribed hormonal drugs that stabilize the background.
Types of gynecomastia
Clinically, gynecomastia occurs in three types.
In the first type, it manifests itself in men with a normally developed reproductive tract and secondary sexual characteristics only as an enlarged mammary gland without the growth of adipose tissue.
The second group is distinguished by excessive enlargement of the glands, so exceeding the norm that a modification of the breast itself occurs, which becomes similar to a woman’s.
The third group is the so-called pseudogynecomastia, in which there is no enlarged mammary gland, but breast growth is caused by an excessive amount of subcutaneous fat. Such people are obese.
In men over the age of sixty-six, gynecomastia may be a manifestation of the onset of degeneration of the genes that produce androgens.
Enlarged nipples in men
The control hormones during the growth of the mammary gland in both sexes are estrogens, female sex hormones. They are physiologically present in small quantities in men. Natural antipodes are androgens. An imbalance between androgens and estrogens can lead to the development of gynecomastia.
In addition, gene defects, congenital or acquired disorders of the androgen receptor function can lead to stimulation of breast growth as a result of hormonal imbalance, which results in nipple enlargement in men. This is the first signal that you need to consult a doctor for advice.
Hormonal imbalances
Why the endocrine system malfunctions (hormonal growth), doctors still have not proven precisely, since this is influenced by various factors.
Reasons include:
- Hereditary factors
- Poor environmental conditions
- Prolonged stress
- Unbalanced diet
Diseases of endocrine origin are difficult and difficult to treat. They are accompanied by various symptoms, including nipple pain.
Endocrine disorders are caused by the following diseases:
- Reifenstein and Klinefelter syndrome
- Dystrophy, hypothyroidism, liver cirrhosis
- Diabetes mellitus, etc.
Diseases that begin with disorders of the endocrine system remain unattended for a long time. Men, as a rule, if their nipples start to hurt, do not go to the doctor and hope that everything will “settle on its own.” This delay threatens the emergence of dangerous diseases.
Hormonal imbalance, as the main cause of gynecomastia, can be further aggravated by other pathological conditions or medications. Therefore, you should not prescribe self-medication without the knowledge of your doctor.
Contrary to the existing misconception that mastopathy occurs only in women, diseases of the mammary glands sometimes develop in the male population, especially in adolescents.
Normally, boys do not develop breasts during puberty due to hormonal conditions.
If for some reason the alveolar tissue grows and the breasts increase in size, then a diagnosis of mastopathy in men is made.
In medical terms, the word “gynecomastia” (from the Greek words literally translated “breasts similar to a woman’s”) would be more correct in relation to teenagers (and it is at this age that the first symptoms most often begin).
But for some reason, the name “mastopathy in men” has taken root in everyday life to describe enlarged and painful breasts.
Why does breast enlargement occur in teenagers and men?
Depending on the causes of breast enlargement, the following types of mastopathy are distinguished:
True – it is the growth of breast tissue that occurs due to disturbed hormonal balance (the predominance of female sex hormones over male ones) against the background of:
- severe liver diseases (hepatitis, cirrhosis);
- use of hormonal drugs for the treatment of cancer;
- use of certain non-hormonal medications (for example, spironolactone and digitalis in the treatment of heart failure);
- eating anabolic steroids (supplements designed to speed up metabolism). Teenagers and beginning athletes love to use them to quickly gain muscle mass;
- tumors of the pituitary gland or adrenal glands that produce excess female hormones in the blood;
- problems with the thyroid gland (decreased function - hypothyroidism);
- diseases of the testicles (from banal inflammatory orchitis to malignant tumors) or their complete absence (castration);
- hereditary genetic disorders of the genital area (testicular feminization, which manifests itself in boys and adolescents as female-type development).
- other systemic metabolic diseases (diabetes mellitus).
False - visible breast enlargement in men is a consequence of excess weight, and not hypertrophy of the mammary gland itself. In obese young people, due to fat deposits, the figure takes on a female type.
Often, in obese individuals, false mastopathy is combined with true mastopathy. Why is this happening? Because impaired fat metabolism can lead to changes in hormonal levels.
In addition, if obesity occurs as a result of improper eating behavior (consuming excessive amounts of beer and yeast products), then the level of female sex hormones in the blood of men sharply increases.
In addition to excess adipose tissue in the mammary gland area, the growth of alveolar lobes will also be added, which is not typical normally.
Clinical manifestations
Symptoms of breast disease in men are not very different from those in women.
The pain symptom caused by the rapid growth of glandular tissue and the increase in size of the mammary gland comes to the fore. Men's nipples especially hurt when touched.
Mucous or purulent discharge from the nipples may appear, as well as compactions in the area of the glands or in the armpit, when the lymph nodes are involved in the process.
If at least one of these symptoms is present in a teenager or adult, this allows one to suspect the diagnosis of mastopathy in men and is a reason to contact a specialist.
Diagnostics
- Laboratory tests of the content of sex hormones in the blood, with the obligatory calculation of their ratio (normally, the testosterone-estrogens ratio is 50 to 1).
- Mammography (obtaining information about the internal structure of the mammary gland using X-rays or nuclear magnetic resonance).
- Ultrasound of the breast
- Biopsy of a section of a compacted gland or axillary lymph node for subsequent histological examination.
- MRI or CT scan of the brain, adrenal glands and reproductive organs to detect tumors or metastases.
Which doctor should I contact?
Mastopathy in men, depending on the causes and manifestations, is treated by different doctors. Usually with this problem they go to an endocrinologist, mammologist, oncologist or urologist.
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And doctors either independently or on a commission decide why the mammary gland enlarged.
First of all, help for such patients is aimed at the cause of gynecomastia, i.e. treatment of the underlying disease.
Hormonal levels are corrected using drugs containing androgens or reducing the amount of estrogen.
If there is significant pain and breast enlargement, anti-inflammatory treatment is required. If a tumor was discovered during examination, surgical treatment is resorted to (i.e., surgical removal of the lump or node).
Every man who has symptoms of mastopathy should know that proper organization of physical activity, stopping drinking beer, normalizing eating behavior, and following all medical recommendations will help to successfully cope with this unpleasant disease.
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- nipple discharge...
- change in the shape of the breasts, the skin on the nipples retracted and cracks appeared...
- change in body weight...
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Home > Other diseases > Gynecomastia > Chest pain in men: description of gynecomastia, mastitis and mastopathy
Chest pain in men can be associated with many diseases that are inflammatory in nature.
In addition, there are frequent cases of the formation of cysts and neoplasms of various types.
That is why the success of treatment always depends on early consultation with a doctor, timely diagnosis and correctly chosen treatment.
- Causes of pain
- Gynecomastia
- Mastitis
- Mastopathy
- Breast cancer
- Nervous causes
Causes of pain
During puberty, adolescents experience hormonal changes for the first time, which in most cases occur without any symptoms.
At certain points, redness or burning sensations and pain may occur for a short period. If the symptoms do not go away, but only increase and are complemented by the growth of the mammary glands in a teenager, you should consult a doctor.
These signs may indicate teenage gynecomastia.
Please note: if pain of any intensity occurs in the chest area, it is recommended not to delay a visit to the doctor, since many serious processes occur for a long time without external manifestations or with periodic pain and tingling, to which the majority of the male population does not attach much importance.
Some causes of pain, regardless of age:
- hormonal imbalance in the body;
- necrosis of fatty tissue in the mammary glands or their replacement with glandular cells;
- formation of compactions of various types, including cyst-like ones;
- inflammation of unknown etiology;
- mastitis;
- oncological formations.
Gynecomastia
The main symptom is enlargement of the mammary glands. The process can proceed painlessly, as well as with accompanying pain in the chest area, both in a calm state and during palpation.
With the manual method of examination, some formations in a single or multiple cluster can be palpated. These compactions are clots of glandular tissue that are prone to proliferation, which leads to an increase in the volume of the mammary glands.
An additional symptom of gynecomastia is the presence of discharge from the nipples. The liquid is usually light or slightly cloudy in color, similar to milk. Discharge occurs both independently and with pressure on the nipple.
Good to know: if nipple discharge is mixed with blood, this may indicate cancer. You should consult a doctor immediately.
The main danger is considered to be the transition of benign formations to malignant ones, when the process can no longer be controlled with conservative methods.
Mastitis
It is a predominantly female disease, but in some cases men are also susceptible to it. Risk factors are considered:
- injuries to the chest and mammary glands;
- infection in various ways, including from cuts;
- Nipple piercing is one of the common causes of mastitis;
- gynecomastia - especially in the phase of nipple discharge, since infection is possible through an open canal.
Mastopathy
Another female disease that can occur in men.
Its main symptom is pain in the mammary glands and the presence of lumps.
A predisposition to mastopathy exists in men who have or have had gynecomastia, as well as those suffering from hereditary diseases of the endocrine system.
Breast cancer
The pathology may be a consequence of diseases of the mammary glands, especially if they occur without symptoms, or be an independent disease.
At risk are people who have a tendency towards an unhealthy lifestyle and have cancer in their male line.
For any disease, treatment is prescribed only after a complete examination and an accurate diagnosis. It is not recommended to use any medications on your own to eliminate chest pain, because this cannot affect the real cause.
Nervous causes
Quite often, pathology can develop from overstrain of the nervous system. This comes from excessive stressful situations at work and at home, as well as increased excitability.
The nervous system, subjected to constant stimulation, exhausts the body with the same force, depriving it of energy and strength. At the same time, the immune system weakens and is unable to resist serious diseases.
Pathologies can be brought in either from outside or remain in the body for a long time, waiting for the right moment to develop. The occurrence of pain can be symmetrical, when symptoms are present in the right and left glands at the same time, and asymmetrical - in any one gland.
The surest way to determine the cause of the disease is timely diagnosis. That is why doctors recommend annual examination of the body in full, which helps to identify the disease in the early stages and successfully fight it.
If the first pain appears, you must contact your local physician, who, after examination and tests, will issue a referral to the appropriate specialist whose profile will include the pathology.
About diseases of the mammary glands in men, watch the following video:
anatomy-mastopatii.com
Diagnosis and treatment for chest pain in men
As you know, mammary glands are present not only in females, but also in men, in whom they are called mammary glands. Their formation occurs under the influence of hormonal components. Failures in this body system should be considered the main cause of enlargement and formation of pain in the mammary glands in men. In this case, you need to start treatment with an endocrinologist.
Causes of pain
The most common reason that a man has breast pain is hormonal disorders. In this case, we are talking about gynecomastia, which is a benign enlargement that is characteristic mainly of the ducts. However, the presented disease, in addition to hormonal dysfunction, must be preceded by the presence of some serious pathological conditions, in particular:
- mastitis;
- abscess;
- syphilis;
- tuberculosis.
In the vast majority of cases, gynecomastia develops with age, and experts note a significant hereditary factor that influences the development of the disease. The pathological condition is identified in an advanced form, when an oncological disease develops rapidly, the risk of its formation in a man with the disease increases significantly.
Other, no less significant factors for why the mammary gland hurts include various diseases and syndromes, namely Mondor's disease (a fairly rare disease), Paget's cancer, nipple adenoma and much more, for example, trauma.
In order to understand this condition in more detail and determine the degree of its severity, it is necessary to approach the definition of symptoms and diagnosis with all responsibility.
Symptoms of the condition
The leading manifestation that characterizes gynecomastia should be considered painful sensations of varying degrees of severity. In this case, a man may develop additional symptoms, for example, in case of injury - these are bruises or other signals of damage to the upper layer of skin. If we talk about other hormonal disorders, then, in the vast majority of cases, the manifestations are accompanied by a deterioration in general health, loss or sudden weight gain.
Speaking about more serious problems, for example, cancer or a precancerous form, a man may experience changes in the skin and a sharp increase in the size of the mammary gland. In general, the symptoms of breast pain can be very different. This is explained by the fact that they depend entirely on the characteristics of the body and the general state of health. In particular, if a male representative has any chronic or inflammatory breast diseases, the manifestations will be much more serious, prolonged and painful.
When pain occurs, the first thing every man should do is consult a doctor, in particular an endocrinologist. It is he who will indicate which diagnostic examinations a man needs to undergo in order to subsequently prescribe a rehabilitation course.
Diagnostic measures
It is necessary to begin diagnosis by taking tests, but this process is preceded by such steps as studying the medical history and visual examination, palpation of the problem area. Further, to make a diagnosis, it becomes necessary to:
- donating blood to identify the presence of tumor markers and certain hormonal disorders;
- undergoing an ultrasound if certain neoplasms were detected in the breast area;
- additional examinations, in particular, a biopsy, which is carried out to pump out fluid and determine the molecular composition.
MRI should be considered an equally necessary stage of diagnosis, because these results will give the specialist the opportunity to determine a more detailed clinical picture and, accordingly, the nuances of treatment.
Treatment and prevention
Therapy for breast pain involves the use of a variety of medications.
For both men and women, these can be hormonal components, analgesics, as well as other drugs that can reduce pain and other negative symptoms.
If a man has a tumor identified as the cause of his breast pain, surgery or a biopsy may be required. This will allow you to remove the formation and pump out all the negative liquid from it. As is known, in addition to the therapeutic effect, a biopsy is also characterized by a diagnostic effect, because it makes it possible to determine how negative the processes in the breast are.
An additional stage of treatment when the mammary gland hurts should be considered general strengthening of the body. It involves the use of vitamin components and mineral elements. It is important to ensure that the dosages of the drugs used remain acceptable and do not exceed the permissible ones - only in this case can one count on the fastest possible recovery of the body. It is recommended to start using certain products with minimal dosages. About aching pain in this article.
In order for therapy to have an effect when a man’s mammary gland hurts, it is necessary not to forget about preventive measures. They consist in the absolute exclusion of exposure to any bad habits, in particular, nicotine addiction, alcohol components and narcotic substances. You should also constantly monitor your hormonal levels to eliminate the possibility of developing similar diseases.
An equally important stage of prevention is constant physical activity.
This is what speeds up metabolism, improves the overall functioning of the body, and also normalizes the degree of body resistance and its protective characteristics. Endocrinologists and specialists draw attention to the fact that eliminating the formation of painful sensations in the chest in men is not a serious or problematic undertaking. To do this, you just need to remember to follow certain preventive measures and basic rules of caution.
Important!
BREAST CANCER IS APPEARING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY IN WOMEN! TAKE THE TEST AND FIND OUT IF IT IS A THREAT FOR YOU!
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Do not forget to periodically see a mammologist! These visits will help YOU prevent the risk of cancer!
Determining your risk for breast cancer
This test retains the reliability of calculations for a Caucasian woman, without identified hereditary genes for breast cancer, without a previously established diagnosis of this disease, and subject to an annual examination by a mammologist.
Test result
The risk of developing breast cancer over 10, 20 and 30 years is -0.1%, 1.1%, 3.2% respectively.
The probability of not getting sick within 10, 20 and 30 years is 100.1%, 98.9%, 96.8% respectively.
This test is not entirely suitable for girls under 20 years of age and women over 50 years of age (there may be slight errors). We advise you to read the materials we have prepared about the structure of the breast, risk factors for breast cancer and breast self-examination skills that every adult woman should know.
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Pain in the mammary glands in men
Pain in the mammary glands in men varies in nature and has its own causes, some of which are quite serious. To eliminate discomfort, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination, based on which the doctor will prescribe a course of treatment.
Reasons
The mammary glands of men and women have an almost similar structure. During puberty, female breasts begin to grow due to the influence of hormones, while male breasts remain in their infancy.
There are many causes of pain in the chest, these are:
Painful sensations and areas of compaction often occur in adolescents. Usually, when palpating the chest in young men, one can feel dense single or multiple balls, located asymmetrically and mainly near the nipples.
In boys, the mammary glands swell and pain occurs - this condition is called physiological gynecomastia.
If there are no other signs of a change in health and the symptom goes away on its own no later than 20 years, there is no need to worry. In severe cases, adolescent gynecomastia requires medical or surgical treatment (read more about this in this article). The clinical examination should include a consultation with a urologist to exclude non-physiological causes, such as Reifenstein syndrome, in which there is a defect in the synthesis of testosterone in the body. This disease may be accompanied by atrophy of the genital organs or hermaphroditism.
For more information about this, watch the video consultation with a mammologist:
Types of pain
Pain and discomfort in the mammary glands can vary in intensity, periodic, constant, or detected only by palpation.
Pain can occur at any age; often painful sensations in the mammary glands occur due to diseases of the internal organs and endocrine disorders. Assessing the totality of all manifestations in changes in the patient’s well-being helps the doctor establish a preliminary diagnosis.
The pain may be:
- One-sided (left or right side). In this case, trauma, the development of atheroma, fibroma, and cancer should be excluded.
- Double-sided. Pain on both sides and simultaneous enlargement or thickening is characteristic of gynecomastia.
- In the nipples, in the aureole, inside the nipples. This change also occurs with gynecomastia, a hormonal imbalance. If discharge from the nipples appears, tumors must be excluded.
Discomfortable sensations are recorded both constantly and when pressed or after physical activity.
Next steps
If painful sensations appear, it is necessary to be examined as soon as possible. Diseases are treated by endocrinologists, mammologists, and surgeons.
Most changes in the mammary glands are benign, but if they are not eliminated in time, a malignant process may develop.
Pathologies such as atheroma and fibroma are often removed in one visit to the surgeon, and after that, after a few days, all changes disappear.
To clarify the preliminary diagnosis, doctors prescribe:
Treatment depends on the cause of the breast pain. And it is always better to carry it out in the early stages, since in advanced cases it is often not possible to return the mammary gland to its usual size, shape and health.
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Chest pain in men: causes, treatment
The development of mammary glands under the influence of hormones can occur not only in women, but also in men. Usually, with hormonal imbalance, various changes may occur associated with tissue enlargement and painful sensations. When the first signs of disturbances appear, a mandatory consultation with an endocrinologist is necessary. It will help determine why a man’s chest hurts and what changes are occurring in it.
Causes of pain in the chest
With the onset of adolescence, changes occur in the body. At this time, girls begin to actively grow glandular tissue, which leads to breast enlargement. This process is not observed in young men. Minor changes in the form of itching and increased sensitivity of the nipples can be considered normal. Usually such symptoms go away on their own. 
If a man's glandular tissue is replaced by fibrous and fatty tissue, then the mammary gland can become denser, rounded, and the nipples become swollen. In this case, the gland hurts greatly. The breasts can increase by 10 cm. This phenomenon is called gynecomastia.
Pain syndrome appears as a result of various hormonal imbalances. A man can feel it with the development of gynecomastia, which is accompanied by:
The doctor can find out why this condition occurred during an examination, during instrumental and laboratory diagnostics. 
Symptoms of gynecomastia
With gynecomastia, as with mastopathy in women, diffuse and nodular changes occur.
With diffuse formations, the ducts are clogged evenly over the entire surface of the gland. As a result of this process, small cysts are formed. The disease begins with a thickening in the area behind the nipple, its areola, which is characterized by pain. If you feel the breast, you will notice blurred contours and a granular structure. There are no external changes noted: the nipple and the mammary gland itself move freely. Sometimes there is a retraction of the nipple and the appearance of discharge (in some cases bloody). 
If nodular gynecomastia is noted, the nodes become dense. They are localized mainly on one side of the gland. Often the affected area hurts. With this form of the disease, the condition of the nipple does not change, and there is no discharge from the breast. In this case, nodular gynecomastia requires mandatory diagnosis. After all, such symptoms often occur with malignant tumors.
Non-dangerous and serious diseases
With pain in the mammary glands, a man can be diagnosed with various diseases. Some of them do not pose a serious danger to the male body. However, they need to be diagnosed only in a medical facility. 
Mammology classifies nipple inflammation as one of the types of breast pathologies. Often, breast problems are diagnosed in women. However, inflammation of the nipple also occurs in men and requires no less attention from the patient. In order to understand the causes of the pathological process, a man needs to undergo a comprehensive examination, based on the results of which, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment or prescribe the necessary medications.
It should be noted that the structure of the breasts in men and women is essentially similar. However, during puberty, women's mammary glands begin to grow under the influence of hormones, while men's breasts remain in their infancy. Accordingly, if there were no developmental abnormalities in the male body, then breast tissue is completely absent, and therefore not susceptible to pathological processes.
Often the pathogenesis of nipple inflammation is due to an infectious nature. Staphylococcus or streptococcus enters the nipple area through ducts or through other microdamages in the skin of the breast. But the infection manifests itself only when there is a cold and an accompanying decrease in the body’s immune defense. Such processes provoke impetigo or pustular inflammation of the nipple areola. It is even possible that a boil will appear on the chest near the nipple.
There are other reasons that contribute to the manifestation of nipple inflammation:
- dermatosis (appears due to skin irritation by clothing, detergents);
- dry skin, causing the formation of microcracks in the nipples;
- infection of the nipples with the herpes virus;
- various injuries;
- nipple eczema.
But these are only the most harmless of possible reasons. The development of inflammation of the nipples can be caused by endocrine diseases, metabolic problems, and oncological diseases of various natures are also possible. As a rule, these problems are the main cause of breast pathologies in men and its uncharacteristic structure.
Gynecomastia
Thus, hormonal problems in men, accompanied by increased production of female hormones and decreased production of male hormones, are likely in some diseases of the genitourinary system. The disease can also manifest itself in pathological processes in the adrenal glands. As a rule, provoking factors are the use of anabolic drugs, certain medications and beer abuse. Obesity and diabetes mellitus are significant contributing factors.
As already mentioned, a very common cause of nipple and breast problems in men can be called various mechanical injuries. It is not uncommon for men to develop a hematoma in the area of a bruise, which can be secondarily layered with an infection that has entered the body from the outside or already exists in it. The latter case is very common when the body experiences various colds.
Infection occurs due to damage to the skin or through blood flow from internal foci, especially if there is a chronic infectious or cold disease. Also, various injuries can provoke Mondor's disease.
Inflammatory processes and breast tenderness often occur in adolescents. Thus, when palpating the mammary glands in young men, one can identify multiple or single formations that form asymmetrically in the nipple area. This condition in young people is called physiological gynecomastia. In a situation where there are no other symptoms, and the phenomenon goes away on its own up to 20 years, there is no reason to worry.
However, in especially severe cases, adolescent gynecomastia requires correction, which is provided by certain medications or surgical intervention. In addition, a preliminary examination of such patients must necessarily include an examination by a urologist in order to completely exclude non-physiological causes, for example, Reifenstein syndrome, which is characterized by a failure in the body’s production of testosterone. Such a disease can lead to atrophy of the genital organs and hermaphroditism.
Oncology
But the most unpleasant and dangerous option for men is cancer. Representatives of the stronger half of humanity who have crossed the half-century mark are susceptible to the formation of neoplasms. The particular danger of such tumors lies in their essentially asymptomatic course. In very rare cases, minor peeling of the skin around the circumference of the nipple and increased sensitivity can be observed. And only with malignant progression of the disease do cutting pains in the chest and bloody discharge appear.
Types of possible cancer formations
If we consider only the most common neoplasms, we can see that even this list will be quite long. Thus, men are characterized by the occurrence of atheroma, a cyst that is formed from the sebaceous gland. The stronger sex is no less susceptible to the development of benign formations, such as fibroma (develops from connective tissue and is characterized by a bursting type of pain), mammary adenosis (formed from glandular tissue, has clear boundaries, can be localized both in the nipple and in the breast itself) and fibroadenoma (tumor with signs of previous formations).
It is also possible for men to develop mastopathy, that is, the occurrence of single or multiple cysts in the chest.
Particularly severe scenarios include fat necrosis, which develops due to circulatory disorders (its manifestations are especially noticeable upon palpation), as well as breast cancer (Paget's disease). This disease is characterized by damage not only to the nipple, but also to the areola, and the manifestation of pain already in the later stages of the disease. In addition to unpleasant sensations, purulent and bloody discharge may also be observed.
Diagnosis and treatment
The appearance of the first warning symptoms should serve as a signal to contact a specialist. However, we should not forget that the severity of signs of a pathological process does not always indicate the severity of the condition. In some cases, they can even go away on their own. Conversely, the absence of any symptoms over time can give way to a severe course of the disease.
In a situation where signs of inflammation in men’s breasts have been noted, the following studies are usually prescribed:
- tests (blood and hormones);
- histological examination;
- MRI and CT;
Treatment will depend on the results of the examination and the identified cause of the pathology. Mammologists, endocrinologists and surgeons deal with the treatment of such ailments. When a pathological phenomenon in the breast or nipple area is caused by infection, dermatosis, candidiasis or a virus, then certain medications (antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs), ointments (Acyclovir, Zovirax) and antifungal drugs are prescribed. However, in some cases it is impossible to do without surgery.
So, for example, it may be necessary to open the exudative cavity and drain it, which will require puncturing the skin of the chest with a needle, or eliminating an abscess. With regard to other neoplasms, it should be separately emphasized that they are mostly benign, but if they are not removed in time, then the process is very likely to become malignant. In addition, if the disease is advanced, even if surgical methods are used, it will be difficult for the gland to return to its former health, as well as give it its usual shape and size.
Lumps in the chest in men can appear for various reasons and have different structure, size and location. Single and multiple nodes, lumps, and bumps may appear in the male breast; a pathological change in the structure may be observed, which is often accompanied by the appearance of discharge from the nipples and pain in the chest; painful engorgement and bloating are formed. Various neoplasms in the breasts in men are slightly less common than in women, but this problem cannot be ignored.
All kinds of bumps can appear even in little boys and teenagers. Many diseases occur without pain or other symptoms and are detected only as a result of an examination after a guy or man begins to notice that he has chest pain. Often lumps and other formations appear as a result of normal physiological processes, sometimes the cause of their appearance is various diseases, including cancer.
Features and causes of lumps in the chest in men
The structure of the male breast is similar to the structure of the female breast - there are lobes and ducts in their infancy. Breast lumps and pain can appear in one or more glands at once, often occurring around the nipple areola. In most cases, lumps and chest pain in young men and mature men appear in the armpits and over the entire surface. At the same time, they can form on the stomach and arms. In this case, lumps in the breasts and other parts of the body are a sign of a condition called gynecomastia, also known as “girl breasts.”
The cause of this disease is the replacement of the glandular tissue of the mammary gland with fibrous and fatty tissue. As a result, benign lumps form, the breasts become rounded, the nipples become swollen, and chest pain may appear. Moreover, in most men with gynecomastia, the glands noticeably increase in size up to 10 cm. Normally, their size does not exceed 1.5 cm. 
The appearance of lumps and pain in the chest is not always a sign of illness, however, in most cases it indicates that something is wrong with the body. In men, lumps and chest pain may appear as a result of:
- hormonal imbalance - in such situations there is an imbalance between male and female sex hormones;
- body changes during puberty;
- taking antidepressants, hormonal drugs, narcotic substances, antitumor medications;
- genetic predisposition;
- overweight;
- various chronic diseases of the prostate, adrenal glands, liver, metabolic disorders, diabetes mellitus and other diseases;
- improper and irregular nutrition.
Most often, lumps and chest pain appear in young men during puberty. Dense nodules or balls form in the chest of growing men; they are usually asymmetrical, and pain is felt when touched. Most often, lumps appear near the nipples. They swell, and the chest itself hurts. These are signs of the onset of a disease called physiological gynecomastia. In most cases, nodules and bumps resolve on their own. If they do not disappear before the age of 18-20, you should definitely get examined.
Dense neoplasms can pose a threat to the patient's life. Under certain circumstances, they can degenerate into a much more terrible disease, namely breast cancer. The treatment order will be established only after the examination, because To successfully combat the problem, you need to find out what exactly caused the appearance of this disease and why lumps and pain appeared in the male breast.
Diseases that do not pose a danger to the patient
There are a number of diseases in which various types of lumps appear in the male breast. Such diseases are not dangerous to humans, but can cause chest pain and require mandatory examination by a specialist. Among these diseases:
Dangerous diseases
The most dangerous disease, which is characterized by the appearance of tumors in the male breast, is cancer. The disease can manifest itself in different ways. Pathological cells appear in epithelial and glandular tissues. A lump can appear in any part of the chest. Most often, such a neoplasm does not have sharp edges; it can be felt deep in the chest. There is usually no pain. The most common form of the disease appears in a nodular form, in which dense formations without clear contours grow towards the skin. Diffuse cancer is characterized by a rapid increase in tumor size and the appearance of metastases in the lymph nodes.
Lumps and pain also appear with sarcoma. This disease is characterized by the appearance of large, lumpy neoplasms with clear edges. Seals develop very quickly.
Seals also appear with a disease such as lymphoma. It is characterized by the appearance of rounded compactions with smooth, clear edges.
Methods for diagnosing lumps in male breasts
Lumps and pain can occur in men of any age. In order to exclude the presence of cancer, it is necessary to undergo high-quality and timely diagnosis.
In modern medicine, the following diagnostic options are used:
- X-ray examination.
- Ductography is a diagnostic procedure in which contrast agents are injected into the flow of the mammary glands. This allows you to determine the presence or confirm the absence of intrastream neoplasms.
- Biopsy. Using this diagnostic method, you can determine the presence of cysts, fibro-osseous mastopathy and malignant tumors. Biopsy can be surgical, stereotactic, ultrasound or aspiration.
- Puncture. When carrying out such diagnostics, a thick needle and a biopsy gun are used. Part of the material is taken for detailed study.
Treatment options for lumps
If you notice any new growths or have chest pain, you should contact a specialist as soon as possible. After the examination, the doctor will be able to get a general idea of the nature of the neoplasms, and an accurate diagnosis will be established only after appropriate additional examinations.
The nature of treatment depends on the type of tumor: it can be conservative, surgical and complex.
For example, fibroadenomas are removed exclusively surgically. The seals themselves or the tissue surrounding them can be removed. In the treatment of malignant tumors, the main methods are radiation and chemical therapy. Mastopathy can be overcome by changing lifestyle, using vitamin complexes, medications containing iodine, hormonal drugs, immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory and decongestant medications, which can only be prescribed by a doctor after an appropriate examination.
It is very important to promptly pay attention to changes in your body and begin treatment. According to official statistics, among Russian citizens the survival rate for cancer is no more than 30%, and among US residents it exceeds 80%. The main reason for this difference is the fascination of many people with folk recipes and advertised dietary supplements, which in the case of malignant neoplasms have absolutely no effect. And the person is only wasting time, which could have been spent on qualified treatment and saved his life. Be healthy!
