Understanding Accessory breast: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

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Accessory breast

by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023

Additional names

This group contains additional names: - Polymastia

General

Accessory breasts, also known as polymastia, is the condition of having an additional breast. The extra breast may appear with or without nipples or areolae. During normal development, breast tissue will develop along the milk line. Most of the time, additional tissue will disintegrate and be absorbed into the body. Polymastia occurs when the additional tissue does not disintegrate before birth. Accessory breast tissue can be found anywhere along the "mammary lines", extending from the armpits to the normal chest nipples, and downwards to the groin or inner thigh. Accessory breasts can be inherited.

2 people with Accessory breast

Learn from others who are experiencing Accessory breast.

Signs & symptoms

People with accessory breast may feel a bulk usually in their chest or armpits. Women may feel a change with the bulk size in accordance with their menstrual cycle.

Diagnosis

Polymastia can be diagnosed merely by a physical examination. Further tests to confirm the diagnosis or checking for a tumor in the accessory breast tissue may include ultrasound and a biopsy.

Treatment

Accessory breast can be surgically removed, either by aesthetically or in case of maliganancy.

Note

☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike

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