Breast diseases in males

Abstract

The male breast is normally a rudimentary structure composed of small ducts and fibrous tissue with variable amounts of periductal fat, identical histologically to the breast of prepubertal females [1]. In the absence of estrogenic stimulation, lobules are not seen. The incidences in males of absent breasts or nipples and of supernumerary nipples are identical to the incidences in females [2]. In the absence of enlargement, breast tissue in the male is confined to the area directly behind the areola; therefore, clinical breast examination (CBE) is very easy in males and usually can be performed with just one or two examining fingers. © 2010 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.