Combined surgical and medical treatment in an adolescent with severe gynecomastia due to excessive estradiol secretion: a case report

BACKGROUND: Gynecomastia develops due to the reversed estradiol-to-Testosterone ratio in adolescence, and symptoms typically improve within 2 years. The causes vary widely, including estrogen excess and tumors, and surgical treatment is usually given in late adolescence because postoperative symptoms may recur in adolescents. This study reports a case of a pediatric patient with severe gynecomastia due to excessive estradiol secretion who showed a positive outcome after receiving surgical treatment combined with aromatase inhibitor administration. CASE PRESENTATION: A 9-year old boy visited to the Department of Pediatric Endocrinology for breast budding. At that time, the patient showed breasts at Tanner stage II and no abnormality on hormone tests. During a follow-up, both gynecomastia had progressed to Tanner stage III–IV at age 13. Tamoxifen 10 mg bid was administered; however, the condition rapidly progressed to Tanner stage V at 13.5 years. The evaluation of pathologic gynecomastia showed an increase of estradiol to 296 pg/mL with normal range 10 ~ 36 pg/mL and microlithiasis in both testes. As the condition worsened, total mastectomy was performed at the age of 13.5 years. Based on the assessment that elevated aromatase activity had induced breast budding, we changed the medication to anastrozole (Arimidex) 1 mg once a day, after which the estradiol level improved to 38.5 pg/mL and was maintained well in the two-year postoperative follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This case report shows a combined plastic surgery and appropriate medical management bring a positive outcome in severe gynecomastia patient.