OCCURRENCE OF GYNECOMASTIA IN CONJUNCTION WITH DERMATOLOGIC DISORDERS

Abstract

GYNECOMASTIA is known to occur in conjunction with a variety of diseases, including testicular tumor, hepatic cirrhosis and hepatitis, bronchogenic carcinoma, lung abscess, carcinoma of the adrenal cortex, transverse myelitis, hyperthyroidism, and chronic ulcerative colitis.¹ In addition, gynecomastia is a common manifestation of puberty and starvation, and it can be produced by the administration of certain hormones, including estradiol, diethylstilbestrol (Stilbestrol), methyltestosterone, desoxycorticosterone acetate, adrenal cortex extract, and chorionic gonadotropin.² The purpose of this paper is (a) to report seven patients in whom gynecomastia developed in conjunction with generalized dermatologic disorders, (b) to discuss briefly the etiology of gynecomastia, and (c) to consider the significance of gynecomastia when it occurs in association with generalized cutaneous diseases. REPORT OF CASES Case 1.—Generalized Atopic Dermatitis This patient, a white man, had atopic dermatitis during the summer months only when between the ages of 9 and