[Gynecomastia].

Gynecomastia, a benign enlargement of the male breast resulting from a proliferation of its glandular component, is a common condition, present in 30 to 50% of men. The disease, caused by hormonal imbalance at the breast tissue level, may occur both physiologically at some stages of life or be secondary to various disorders. On the basis of a thorough history, a detailed physical examination and an appropriate clinical evaluation, it must be determined whether this condition has a physiologic or pathologic cause. Although biochemical investigations or imaging procedures help in establishing an underlying cause, they are recommended to be performed only in selected patients. Treatment depends on the cause and may include observation, withdrawal of an offending drug, therapy of an underlying disease, pharmacotherapy and in some cases surgery or radiotherapy. In this review, the authors discuss the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment options in gynecomastia. Particular attention has been paid to the results of the studies published in the last years.