The effect of Tamoxifen on Patients with Gynecomastia

Oh, Jong Min; Won, Tae Wan

Abstract

PURPOSE
Gynecomastia is the most common cause of male breast enlargement and is a disease which can occur in men of all ages. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of tamoxifen on size reduction of breast tissue in gynecomastia patients, regardless of age and symptoms. We also, aimed to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of tamoxifen compared to surgery and other medications.
METHODS
Twenty patients diagnosed with gynecomastia at the Breast and Thyroid Surgery Department, of Wonkwang University Hospital from January 2013 to February 2019 were included. All patients received tamoxifen 20 mg once a day or 10 mg twice a day; two months of treatment was planned, and medication was administered. The diameter and depth of the gynecomastia tissue were followed up with breast ultrasound before and after treatment. A survey of age, nationality, location, symptoms, duration of symptoms, previous history, and causes was also conducted.
RESULTS
Breast tissue size was measured by ultrasound when the gynecomastia patients first visited and after using tamoxifen. As a result, mean diameter decreased by 41.9%, mean thickness decreased by 41.0%, and estimated mean volume decreased by 74.3%, except for one patient with recurrence. No side effects of tamoxifen were found in this study.
CONCLUSION
Since tamoxifen treatment has few side effects and recurrence is rarely reported at the time of discontinuation, it is a good primary treatment. But secondary treatment should be considered if there is no subsequent reaction. Surgical treatment may also be considered for gynecomastia patients with Tanner's breast stage higher than 4, or who want an immediate reduction in breast size.