CURRENT CONCEPTS IN RADIOTHERAPY FOR BENIGN DISORDERS

CurrentConceptsinRadiotherapyforBenignDisorders1-0-25kapak

Gynecomastia

Mete GÜNDOĞa , Bora UYSALb
aErciyes University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Kayseri, Türkiye
bUniversity of Health Sciences Gülhane Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Ankara, Türkiye

Gündoğ M, Uysal B. Gynecomastia. In: Uysal B, Gamsız H, eds. Current Concepts in Radiotherapy for Benign Disorders. 1st ed. Ankara: Türkiye Klinikleri; 2025. p.28-33.

ABSTRACT
Gynecomastia occurs as a result of the imbalance between estrogens and androgens.. Half of adult men with gynecomastia have an underlying pathology. Hormone-secreting tumors and some endocrine diseases also cause gynecomastia. The prevalence of gynecomastia increases up to 15-75%. Ionizing radiation reduces breast tissue development by causing hypoplasia or aplasia. All studies investigating prophylactic breast radiotherapy in preventing gynecomastia that develops due to the hormone used in the treatment of prostate cancer have shown the effectiveness of radiotherapy. Radiotherapy is recommended for two patients before or immediately at the beginning of hormone therapy. In radiotherapy used for prophylaxis, doses of 8-15 Gy are generally sufficient to prevent gynecomastia. After gynecomastia occurs, doses of 15-40 Gy have been shown to be effective. Radiotherapy, whether prophylactic or therapeutic, is well tolerated in gynecomastia. Acute side effects are rare, but there is insufficient information in the literature to evaluate chronic side effects.

Keywords: Gynecomastia; radiotherapy; tamoxifen

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