Accessory breasts

 

Hi there, i hav accessory breasts under my armpits. what kind of doctor i shall look for to remove them? Is the surgery cost high? thks !

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

Accessory breasts can be surgically removed by either the breast surgeon, general surgeon or plastic surgeon. The cost of the surgery would really depend on what kind of facility the procedure is done at and your surgeon, but it is usually not very costly. A new technique the plastic surgeon may use is ultrasound assisted liposuction and this may be more expensive than conventional surgery due to the equipment used.

Breast cysts and MRI

Dear Doctor, After the detection of my four breasts cysts, I went back to the doctor. The doctor assured me that is not cancer, but I am not convinced. I asked then for a biopsy, and he told me that my cysts are very small for a biopsy (cysts are seen ranging in size from about 2.5 to 5.5 mm). I insisted for a further evaluation, and he send me to do a MRI test. Can the MRI test shown if my cysts are cancerous?

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

In general it is very unlikely for cysts to be cancerous. An MRI has superior sensitivity compared to mammograms and ultrasound for detecting cancer. However, MRI is not that specific, that is to say, it might not be able to define the cause of the abnormality. If the MRI is normal, then a biopsy of the cysts is unlikely to be required. It is quite common to have tiny cysts a few millimetres in size throughout the breasts (fibrocystic change) and biopsy is usually not necessary under these circumstances.

Bruise-like spots on the breast

 

I’ve been getting smallish bruise-like spots on my breasts (usually one at a time once or twice a month) that are sore to the touch. After a few days they “burst” and bleed leaving a small hole of sorts until it covers over. What causes this? Is it a sign of something serious? Any help would be appreciated.

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

What you have described sounds like small bullae over the breasts. Bullae are little blisters that occur spontaneously over the skin. They can occur anywhere over the body. It is a skin condition, and occasionally it may manifest as a result of an autoimmune or genetic condition although it is uncommon for it to occur just over the breasts. Only rarely is the condition associated with an underlying breast cancer.  You may benefit from getting a baseline mammogram and ultrasound to exclude any breast disease, and then consult a dermatologist for further evaluation.

 

75 year old diabetic year ago right breast nipple retracted uderarm discomfort spread to left breast doc has performed 3 mamograms not concerned, but I am.

THE BREAST DOCTOR SAYS:

Risk of breast cancer increases with age.  The symptoms you have described in a 75 year old lady is definitely suspicious for breast cancer.  The nipple retraction may be due to tumour under the nipple, and the underarm discomfort due to enlarged lymph nodes there.  If the mammogram is normal, then consider adding on an ultrasound of the breast and underarm region, or even an MRI of the breasts for further evaluation.  If there is a mass or hardening of the breast tissue, a needle biopsy is mandatory.  

Surgery to remove accessory breasts

 

Hi again.
Thanks for the quick reply. I am not too keen on getting them surgically removed either, hence the 8 year long wait.
However, since they arent very small and are located under both my arms it is sometimes painful when i move my arms, especially if i were to sleep on one side for too long i would wake up to find that area feeling kind of sore. Would you recommend surgery in such cases?

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

If the accessory breasts are bothering you, then you can choose to have them removed surgically. Some women are not bothered at all, while others may feel aches and sores or find them cosmetically unacceptable, regardless of the size of the accessory tissue. Surgery will involve an elliptical incision to remove the accessory tissue and skin; this is usuall done as a day procedure under general anaesthesia. This is usually a simple procedure, though minor wound infection can sometimes be a problem after surgery because of perspiration in the area. 

Accessory breasts and pain

 

I too have fatty undearm tissue. . It has been there many years, but now I have pain in my breast also after having a CAT scan with radioactive dye for something else completely. I am now scared out of my mind. I made an appointment with the doctor for a mammagram. Should I worry about something that has been there for years?

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

It sounds like you have accessory breasts too.  Pain in the breast is usually related to benign fibrocystic change in the breast tissue, and unrelated to the accessory breasts, so you should not worry excessively. However if you feel a constant ache or sensation that is atypical, you should see a specialist for further evaluation. You may need a mammogram or an ultrasound to exclude any serious pathology.  But rest assured that in general pain is not a worrying symptom for breast cancer.

Accessory breasts are in general harmless, but because it is also breast tissue, tumours (benign or malignant) can grow within it too. So if you feel a recent change in the accessory breasts or you can feel a lump within it, you should also seek medical attention.