Gynaecomastia as a presenting feature of thyrotoxicosis

Gynaecomastia in 786 adult men: clinical and biochemical findings

OBJECTIVE

Gynaecomastia is a benign proliferation of glandular tissue of the breast; however, it is an important clinical observation because it can be the first symptom of an underlying disease. Some controversy exists concerning the clinical importance of an in-depth investigation of men who develop gynaecomastia. We hypothesise that a thorough work-up is required in adult men with gynaecomastia.

DESIGN

All adult men (n = 818) referred to a secondary level andrological department at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, Denmark during a four-year period (2008-2011) under the diagnosis of gynaecomastia (ICD-10: N62) were included.

METHODS

Thirty-two men who did not have gynaecomastia when examined were excluded; leaving 786 men for final analyses. They underwent an andrological examination, ultrasound of the testicles and analysis of endogenous serum hormones levels.

RESULTS

In 43% of men with adult onset of gynaecomastia (≥18 years) an underlying, and often treatable, cause could be detected. In men younger at onset an underlying cause for gynaecomastia could be detected in merely 7.7%. The study is limited by the fact that we did not have access to investigate men who were referred directly by their GP to private clinics for plastic surgery or who sought cosmetic correction without consulting their GP first.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates the importance of a thorough examination and provides a comprehensible examination strategy to disclose the underlying pathology leading to the development of gynaecomastia in adulthood.

A 33-Year-Old Man with Gynaecomastia and Galactorrhea as the First Symptoms of Graves Hyperthyroidism

Graves' hyperthyroidism has a various number of well-recognized manifestations. Galactorrhea is a rare manifestation in this disease. We describe a 33-year-old man who presented with the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, gynaecomastia, and galactorrhea for 2 months. Physical examination revealed goitre, gynaecomastia, and galactorrhea, bilaterally. Laboratory investigations demonstrated high free thyroxine with suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone level together with elevated anti-TSH receptor; therefore, the diagnosis of Graves' disease was confirmed. Other investigations to elucidate the etiology of galactorrhea were normal, so the galactorrhea was hypothesized to be caused by Graves' disease. The gynaecomastia and galactorrhea resolved with the successful treatment of hyperthyroidism. Although the galactorrhea is extremely rare in thyrotoxicosis male patients, to the best of our knowledge, this is the third case which reported gynaecomastia and galactorrhea in male patient who presented with thyrotoxicosis.

Gynecomastia and hormones

Gynecomastia-the enlargement of male breast tissue in men-is a common finding, frequently observed in newborns, adolescents, and old men. Physiological gynecomastia, occurring in almost 25 % of cases, is benign and self-limited; on the other hand, several conditions and drugs may induce proliferation of male breast tissue. True gynecomastia is a common feature often related to estrogen excess and/or androgen deficiency as a consequence of different endocrine disorders. Biochemical evaluation should be performed once physiological or iatrogenic gynecomastia has been ruled out. Non-endocrine illnesses, including liver failure and chronic kidney disease, are another cause of gynecomastia which should be considered. Treating the underlying disease or discontinuing medications might resolve gynecomastia, although the psychosocial burden of this condition might require different and careful consideration.

Mediastinal neoplasms in patients with Graves disease: a possible link between sustained hyperthyroidism and thymic neoplasia?

Background

Anterior mediastinal masses are a rare but well documented finding in Graves disease. The vast majority of these lesions represents benign thymic hypertrophy and regress after treatment of the hyperthyroidism. A small percentage of these cases however represent neoplastic/malignant diseases which require further treatment.

Cases

12 year old boy with one year history of refractory Graves disease was found to have an anterior mediastinal mass and underwent curative thyroidectomy for sustained hyperthyroidism. Cervical lymphadenopathy was detected during the procedure and biopsy was obtained. A 23 year old woman who presented with a one month history of hyperthyroid symptoms, was diagnosed with Graves disease and also was found to have an anterior mediastinal mass on imaging. Biopsy of the anterior mediastinal mass was obtained and subsequently the patient underwent robotic thymectomy. Histologic examination and immunophenotyping of the cervical lymph node in a 12 year old boy revealed neoplastic proliferation of T lymphoblasts diagnostic of T lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma. Examination of the anterior mediastinal mass biopsy in the 23 year old woman revealed type B1 thymoma which was confirmed after examination of the subsequent robotic thymectomy specimen.

Conclusion

This is the first reported case of T cell lymphoblastic lymphoma and the third reported case of thymoma associated with sustained hyperthyroidism due to Graves disease. These cases indicate that an anterior mediastinal mass in a patient with active Graves disease may be due to a neoplastic cause, which may require definitive treatment. Caution should be exercised when dismissing a mediastinal mass as benign thymic hyperplasia in patients with active Graves disease.

Early-onset breast disease: case of a Grave condition with a favorable prognosis

BACKGROUND

The relationship between thyroid and breast diseases has been well documented, but the clinical impact of Graves' disease on breast tissue is not clear.

PATIENT FINDINGS

Twenty-seven year-old African American female patient who presented with multiple bilateral breast masses and skin thickening and ulcerations. Biopsy of the breast masses demonstrated fat necrosis. During her initial evaluation, she was found to be hyperthyroid and was ultimately diagnosed with Graves' disease. Her abnormal breast changes resolved within several months of her medical treatment for Graves' disease.

SUMMARY

Graves' disease may present with acute-onset breast changes without personal history of trauma or family history of breast abnormalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Interactions between thyroid and estrogen hormones should be studied further to determine their exact clinical and pathologic implications. Medical or surgical management of Graves' disease may reverse associated pathologic breast changes.

Abolition of endocrine dimorphism in hyperthyroid males? An argument for the positive feedback effect of hyperoestrogenaemia on LH secretion

Our aim was (i) to investigate the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-gonadal axis in hyperthyroid Indian males, (ii) to rule out the modulatory role of adrenal steroids on it and (iii) to determine if the simultaneous rise in oestradiol and luteinising hormone (LH) in hyperthyroid males is due to a positive feedback action of oestradiol on pituitary LH release. Age- and BMI-matched men were divided into two groups, I, euthyroid subjects (n = 17) and II, hyperthyroid patients (n = 12) on the basis of their thyroid hormone levels. Serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, LH, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, E(2), T, P(4), sex hormone binding globulin and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) were assayed. Mean levels of T and E(2) were approximately two times higher in group II in comparison with group I. DHEAS levels were similar in both groups ruling out any adrenal involvement. Mean serum LH level was 2.6 folds higher in group II in comparison with group I. Mean serum levels of FSH were higher in group II, it was marginally nonsignificant. On the basis of these and previous observations, we hypothesise that endocrinological dimorphism in human male and female is not rigid; a sustained rise in serum oestradiol probably induces a positive feedback action on pituitary leading to elevated gonadotrophin levels.

Recurrent painful unilateral gynaecomastia-interactions between hyperthyroidism and hypogonadism

We report an unusual case of recurrent, painful, unilateral gynaecomastia (GM) in an elderly male with relapsing Graves' hyperthyroidism and co-existing primary hypogonadism. This patient presented to the Breast Clinic with a 4-month history of painful, right GM. Malignancy was excluded but T3 was noted to be raised at 7.3 pmol l(-1) (normal 3.5-5.5) with a suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone. Testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone were consistent with primary hypogonadism. He was later referred to physicians with night sweats and painful right GM. FT3 was 7.4 and carbimazole was commenced. Within 4 months, the night sweats and right GM had resolved but he became hypothyroid. When carbimazole was stopped, right GM recurred together with hyperthyroidism. The male breast, which is sensitive to subtle changes in T/E2 ratio, is more likely to be stimulated in an elderly male with hyperthyroidism and pre-existing hypogonadism, and hence recurrence of GM with relapsing hyperthyroidism. Recognition of this association is clinically relevant to avoid unnecessary investigations and undue patient anxiety, and to facilitate appropriate early diagnosis and treatment.

Gynaecomastia with hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism and Leydig cell insufficiency in recipients of high-dose chemotherapy or chemo-radiotherapy

Late side-effects of stem cell transplantation include hypogonadism with infertility and sexual dysfunction, but gynaecomastia is less well recognised. We report five cases of gynaecomastia with features of hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism (primary testicular failure), who received either a TBI/cyclophosphamide conditioned allograft (n = 3) or a BEAM autograft (n = 2). Patients receiving an allograft had gynaecomastia, Leydig cell insufficiency (LCI) diminished libido and erectile dysfunction. Surgery was required in one case, while in two cases the gynaecomastia resolved spontaneously after 6 months. Two patients also had gynaecomastia and sexual dysfunction, severe hypogonadism, very low testosterone levels and marked hyperprolactinaemia following autoBMT. Both responded well to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). As a group, all patients had primary testicular failure and all except one, had LCI (compensated or frank). However, there was no correlation between the severity of gynaecomastia and the degree of endocrine dysfunction. This preliminary study is the first to suggest that gynaecomastia, due to primary hypogonadism and LCI, may be a significant complication of myeloablative conditioning therapy. Therefore gynaecomastia in BMT recipients must always be treated as a pathological entity as it may be the external manifestation of a complex endocrine pathology. It is a potentially treatable condition. Although spontaneously reversible, some patients may require TRT or even surgery. We recommend comprehensive endocrine testing in conjunction with a reproductive endocrinologist and prompt intervention to alleviate embarrassment and anxiety in afflicted BMT recipients.