Jeffrey, age 17, presents with gynecomastia. What should also be assessed?

In the context of a 17-year-old male presenting with gynecomastia, assessment for testicular cancer is particularly important due to the potential association between the two conditions. Gynecomastia can occur in males as a physiological response during puberty, but it can also be indicative of underlying pathologies, including testicular tumors.

Testicular cancer can lead to hormonal imbalances, specifically an increase in estrogen relative to testosterone, which can result in the development of gynecomastia. The diagnosis is critical since testicular cancer, if present, requires prompt intervention.

While obesity, endocrine abnormalities, and tuberculosis are relevant health considerations, they are less directly correlated with gynecomastia in the context of adolescent males. Endocrine abnormalities may contribute to the condition, but they are usually assessed after ruling out more serious conditions such as malignancies. Therefore, the most pressing factor to evaluate in this scenario is the potential for testicular cancer due to its direct link with the symptom of gynecomastia.