Breast abnormalities such as very differently sized breasts, an extra breast, a supernumerary nipple and other abnormalities are rare and usually harmless, but are often cosmetically disturbing and emotionally stressful in the long term.
These malformations primarily affect women, but sometimes also men. As the name suggests, anomalies of the breast are congenital and benign. Some can be recognized immediately after birth, such as a third nipple, others only with the onset of puberty, such as differently sized breasts. Treatment is not always necessary, but if desired, modern plastic surgery offers a whole range of options for correction.
These types of breast changes and malformations have no pathological value, which means that breast abnormalities are always benign and not malignant, as is the case with cancer.
However, depending on the type of disorder or its severity, they are not only a psychological burden, but can also have an indirect physical impact. There are various forms of investment disorders, which can be divided into two groups:
Although not everything is known about the causes of every congenital breast disorder, such as polymastia, it is certain that two factors play a role in most congenital malformations: hormones and genes.
If, for example, the nipple is missing, as in the case of athelie, either the genetic make-up may already have been damaged or the embryo was exposed to damaging influences during its development. If the breast is clearly too small, this is micromastia. In this disorder, there may be too few hormone receptors (for progesterone and oestrogen) or there is too little mammary gland tissue available.
But there are also exceptions; a malformation or change does not always have to be a congenital disorder. For example, external factors can also play a role in the underdevelopment of a mammary gland, such as inflammation or certain treatments at an early age, such as radiotherapy.
As already mentioned, the symptoms of anomalies of the breast sometimes appear immediately after birth (no nipples or supernumerary nipples) or only at the beginning of puberty, because this is when the glandular ducts form and the breast grows. There are also other differentiations: The disorder can affect only one side or both. This applies to a lack of breast development, but also to underdeveloped breasts.
In contrast, supernumerary breasts usually only develop on one embryonic mammary ridge, i.e. on one side. Typical signs of this are
The supernumerary breast behaves like any other normal breast: with the onset of puberty, i.e. sexual maturity, it begins to grow, can tighten slightly before the onset of menstruation and during pregnancy and, when the baby is born, can even produce milk.
Breast apposition disorders do not usually cause painful symptoms or pose a health risk. In some cases, however, they can indirectly lead to discomfort: If the breasts are too large and therefore too heavy, or if the difference in size is pronounced, this can put a lot of strain on the thoracic, back and neck vertebrae, tendons and ligaments. Then the following symptoms may occur:
Some of the breast malformations can be recognized immediately after birth, such as additional nipples, but also additional breasts. Diagnosis in newborns is particularly important because these anomalies of the breast often occur together with other developmental disorders. These can be problems with the digestive organs or the kidneys. We will then examine whether these organs are properly formed and functioning.
However, the other breast malformations, which often only become apparent at puberty, can also be detected earlier and should be clarified with a biopsy. A tissue examination reveals the type of abnormality and whether it may need to be treated.
In most cases, breast abnormalities cannot be prevented because they are congenital and are therefore in the genes. Only in an extremely small proportion of these disorders do external influences change the breast or nipple – such as inflammation or radiotherapy.
However, an early diagnosis by us is important in any case in order to assess whether and when the malformation should be treated or corrected.
Congenital malformations of the breast are benign, but can be emotionally distressing. They do not usually endanger physical health. However, certain disorders can cause discomfort in the thoracic and cervical spine – if the breasts are too large on both sides or if the difference in size between the two breasts is too pronounced.
However, even in these cases, the prognosis is generally good because these malformations can be easily corrected surgically.
As a rule, a breast disorder does not need to be treated. However, if the deformity causes physical discomfort or the emotional burden is too great, breast surgery may be advisable.
Depending on the type of deformity, there are various operations to correct the breast or nipples: