A 13-year-old boy has a lump in his breast that hurts when pressed—what could be the cause?

A 13-year-old boy has a breast lump that is painful upon touch. This condition may arise from abnormalities during breast development due to increased male hormone levels in puberty. Specific analysis is as follows:

Specifically, an imbalance between estrogen and testosterone hormones may lead to breast tissue proliferation, resulting in the formation of a lump. Besides hormonal imbalances, other factors could also cause breast lumps and pain in boys, such as breast infections, mastitis, or nipple inflammation. Additionally, certain medications taken by boys might also trigger the appearance of breast lumps.

For this condition, parents are advised to promptly take their child to the hospital for evaluation. Doctors can determine the nature and location of the lump through diagnostic tools such as breast ultrasound, mammography, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and provide appropriate treatment accordingly. Generally, treatment options include medication and surgery, with the specific plan depending on the individual case. Furthermore, parents can help alleviate the child's discomfort by ensuring he wears comfortable undergarments and avoids clothing that is too tight or too loose.