Well that didn’t work
Robert A. Dershewitz, MD, MSc
Benign breast enlargement (pubertal gynecomastia) affects as many as 65% of boys as they undergo puberty. Although most cases resolve spontaneously, prominent or persistent breast . . .
Benign breast enlargement (pubertal gynecomastia) affects as many as 65% of boys as they undergo puberty. Although most cases resolve spontaneously, prominent or persistent breast enlargement is psychologically traumatic to many boys. In this chart review, researchers evaluated the efficacy of medical management with antiestrogens (tamoxifen or raloxifene) as an alternative to surgery.
Of 37 consecutive children who presented to a children's hospital in Ontario with persistent gynecomastia, 13 received no treatment, 15 received tamoxifen (10-20 mg twice daily for 3-9 months), and 10 received raloxifene (60 mg daily for 3-6 months). The mean duration of gynecomastia before treatment was 28.3 months. The mean diameter of the breast tissue decreased significantly with both raloxifene and tamoxifen (mean reductions, 2.5 and 2.1 cm, respectively). A greater proportion of raloxifene recipients than tamoxifen recipients had greater than 50% reductions in gynecomastia (86% vs. 41%). However, about 40% of patients in each treatment group eventually underwent surgery. No medication side effects were reported.