Accessory breasts

 

Dear doc,

I’ve had this problem for many years. I have lumps under both my armpits. They started growing around 8 years ago when i first got my period. I consulted a doc then but he thought it was an ifection and prescribed some meds(i dun remember what). But anyway they grew a bit more and have not grown is many years. I did some research and have heard of lipomas but i was wondering if it could be that the breast tissues have extended to my armpits since the lumps are kind of connected to the breasts. What is the difference between lipomas and the extension of such breast tissues? Thanks for your time.

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

Lipomas are benign growths that are derived from fat cells, so they are just composed of fatty tissue.  It sounds like you have accessory breasts, which means they are “extra” breast tissues that have grown in the underarm area.  They are almost always symmetrical, ie they occur on both underarms, though one side may be more prominent than the other.  They usually appear during a time when there is a surge of hormones in the body eg during puberty or pregnancy. They are different from lipomas because they are composed of breast tissue, just like normal breast tissue in the breast itself. By themselves the accessory breasts are harmless and do not necessarily need to be surgically removed.

Inverted nipples

 

Dear doctor,

I havin a problem with my breasts, i have inverted nipples, i have read articles that plastic surgery will solve the problem. Is there any risk or will there any side effects? Can you give me the contacts of a plastic surgeon who is specalize in this area? I wish to seek medical treatment about this. Thanks and look forward to your favourable reply.

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

Plastic surgery can be performed for women with long standing inverted nipples. The operation involves dividing the adhesions in the tissue that pull the nipple inwards.  Depending on the severity and extent of adhesions, sometimes nipple inversion can recur again after surgery. The operation may also affect the breast ducts behind the nipple and hence affect the success rate of breastfeeding in future.  Most plastic surgeons perform this procedure, so check with your plastic surgeon what his experience with the procedure is.

Breast cysts

 

Dear doctor:

This was my first time participating in the breast talk community. Thanks for answer my question in such a short time. My other concern is that since my ultrasonography shows four cysts in my left breast, why then my rigth breast is also swollen with a lump in my rigth underarm? In addition, my both arms feel numb sometimes and I feel a litlle backache in my middle back. Is this all considered normal signs for breast cysts?

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

Uncomplicated cysts in the breasts do not cause swelling of the breast or underarm, unless they are infected.  If you feel a lump in the underarm, it is likely from a lymph node swelling.  Lymph nodes can swell if you have an infection of the (right) breast, which sounds like what you have described. However, lymph nodes can also swell if there is a malignant tumour in the breast. The numbness and backache that you feel are not related to the breast cysts.  If the breast and underarm swellings persist despite treatment after a few weeks, you should see a doctor or breast specialist for further evaluation.

Mosquito bites and cysts

 

Dear Doctor:
During a vacation in Peru, South America, I was bitten by an unknown mosquito in my left breast. The bite was very painful. Since then, my health is being deteriorating. Now, I have my lymph nodes swollen in my both underarms, a rash in both breasts in the areola area. I had a mammography this week, and my both breasts were very dense. Then, I had a ultrasonography, and it shows four cysts. My doctor send me to a surgeon. Is it possible that there is a connection between my bite and cysts formed due to a bacteria? I appreciate your answer.

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

It is very common to have cysts in the breasts.  It is unlikely that they are related to your mosquito bite.  However, if the mosquito bite caused a sore in the skin of the breast, then the sore could get infected by bacteria.

Sometimes cysts in the breasts can become infected spontaneously and form an abscess. If this happens it will be tender and there will be swelling and redness over the area, and some women also develop reactive swollen lymph nodes in the underarm. Under these circumstances, treatment is with antibiotics and needle aspiration of the pus. Occasionally a small surgical procedure to drain the pus may be necessary.

Redness and inflammation of breast

Dear Doc,
I have a problem with my left breast for about 6 months now.
In August I noticed redness on the outer part of my left breast
and a slight inflammation kind of feeling. (it is not on the skin but seems as if an inner inflammation would reflect through the skin…
the shape was kind of lunar but not related to wearing a tight bra or something…). My ginecologist checked with ultrasounds but there were no signs of tumors). But I’ve read that there are some atypical breast cancers without tumors.
What kind of testings are possible since I’m premenopausal (37)
have Hashimoto and I take tyroxin for 4 years, don’t have children.
I appreciate your answer.

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY: 

The most common cause of redness and inflammation of the breast is mastitis, or bacterial infection.  Other less common types of infection include granulamatous mastitis, tuberculosis or fungal infections.  Granulomatous mastitis is thought to be autoimmune in nature, and you may have this if you also have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.  Longstanding granulomatous mastitis often results in discharges, sinuses and fistulae on the skin.

You are right that a rare form of breast cancer known as inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) exists. IBC starts with the appearance of breast infection, with redness and inflammation of a significant portion of the skin over the breast.  Often no lump is felt, but the breast may feel diffusely swollen.

Tests such as mammograms and ultrasound are often normal, or may just show oedema of the skin and breast tissue.  Magnetic resonance imaging may be helpful. The diagnosis is clinched by a percutaneous biopsy of that area of the breast.

Do see a breast specialist for an opinion and ask him if you could have IBC.  It is important to do the necessary tests as IBC is an aggressive form of breast cancer and diagnosis and treatment should be instituted early.