DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been treated for prostate cancer and stopped my semiannual Eligard injections three years ago. I’m 75 years old and about 5 feet, 9 inches tall. Before treatment, I weighed 227 pounds; I currently weigh 209 pounds. My testosterone level is 49.6 ng/dL. My breasts have become somewhat feminine.
My question is: Will they regain their normal appearance? I’m losing weight slowly, and I’m trying to build muscle with weights. — Anon. ANSWER: Gynecomastia is the growth of male breast tissue, specifically when not due to breast cancer. It can happen during puberty in healthy males, but it is a common side effect of androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. Up to 75% of men treated with antiandrogen therapy like leuprolide (Lupron or Eligard) will develop breast tissue.
It isn’t likely that the breast tissue will go away on its own. For men who want treatment due to the appearance or tenderness of the breast tissue, there are radiation, medication and surgical treatments available. Radiation therapy is the most effective for men who develop breast tissue with androgen-depletion treatment.
