In men, what may appear as a small lump under the areola?

In men, gynecomastia can cause the development of a small lump under the areola due to an imbalance between testosterone and estrogen levels. This condition involves the proliferation of glandular breast tissue, which can be particularly noticeable beneath the areola. When gynecomastia occurs, it often presents as a firm or rubbery lump and may be unilateral or bilateral. The lump is typically tender and may be accompanied by changes in breast or areolar size.

Understanding gynecomastia's mechanism can be important, as it may arise from various factors, including hormonal fluctuations, obesity, medication side effects, or other underlying health issues. This makes it distinct as a condition compared with other possible breast lump presentations, which may stem from fluid accumulation or infection rather than tissue growth.