Is accessory breast a serious disease?

A woman's breasts are a major indicator of her feminine charm. Nowadays, full breasts can give women great confidence while ensuring that they are always attractive enough. In fact, no matter whether your breasts are big or small, as long as your breasts are healthy, it is enough and there is no need to pursue too much. In real life, some women have accessory breasts. So what disease does accessory breasts refer to?

Accessory breasts refer to extra breasts that appear in addition to a normal pair of breasts. They are usually located in front of or under the armpits, but can also occur above and below the normal breasts on the chest, in the abdomen, and in the groin. The reason for the formation of accessory breasts is that during the embryonic period, humans have 6 to 8 pairs of mammary glands on two lines from the armpits to the groin. Before birth, except for the pair in front of the chest that continue to be retained, the rest degenerate. If these mammary gland rudiments fail to completely degenerate due to developmental abnormalities, multiple breasts will be formed, also known as polymastia. Accessory breasts can be manifested as breast tissue but no nipples, both breast tissue and nipples, or no breast tissue but with nipples.

Causes

During the embryonic period, humans have the rudiments of 6 to 8 pairs of mammary glands along the two lines from the armpits to the groin. Before birth, only a pair of pairs remain in the chest, and the rest degenerate. In a small number of patients, accessory breasts occur due to the absence of mammary gland degeneration or incomplete degeneration. It can occur on one side or both sides, usually in front of or under the armpit, but can also occur above and below the normal breast, abdomen, groin, outer thigh and other parts of the chest.

Clinical manifestations

Usually the size of accessory breasts varies from person to person, and most people do not feel any special sensation. In some cases, there is a feeling of distension and pain before menstruation, which disappears after menstruation.

The vast majority of cases present with swelling or bulges in the anterior or posterior armpits, and may also have fully developed nipples. A lump can be felt in the accessory breast, which is a developing mammary gland. It can also occur in the upper and lower parts of normal breasts, the abdomen, groin, outer thighs, etc. Some can develop into breasts with a shape comparable to normal breasts, including nipples and areola.

The changes in accessory breasts are more obvious during pregnancy and lactation. Usually during pregnancy and lactation, the accessory breasts will increase significantly and even secrete milk. After breastfeeding ends, the accessory breasts do not shrink, so the symptoms are more obvious.

Accessory breasts affect your appearance, dressing and social activities. The vast majority of patients seek medical attention for an improved appearance. Accessory breasts contain breast tissue and therefore carry the risk of developing breast cancer.