clinical comparison between features of gynaecomastia and breast cancer
Last reviewed 01/2022
differences between a malignancy and gynaecomastia:
The first step in clinical evaluation of patients consists of differentiating
gynecomastia from other causes of enlarged breast tissue or mass (1).
Physical examination in male breast enlargement: (1,2)
Gynaecomastia |
Malignancy |
|
Bilateral (usually) or unilateral |
Unilateral (usually) or bilateral (rarely) |
|
Painless or painful (occasionally) |
Painless or painful (uncommon) |
|
Central (subareolar) |
Central (70-90%) or eccentric* |
|
Smooth |
Irregular* |
|
Firm |
Rubbery or hard* |
|
Mobile |
Fixed* |
|
Normal nipple |
Nipple deformity (17-30%) or discharge (<10%)* |
|
Normal skin |
Thickened, red, or ulcerated skin* |
|
Normal axilla |
Axillary adenopathy** |
*mandates surgical evaluation.
**may be associated with locally advanced malignancy
Reference: