Publication:

Axillary accessory breast: presentation and treatment

Background The axillary accessory breast tissue develops as part of polymastia along the milk line. This is of common occurrence in women. The clinical presentation can be from asymptomatic to cyclical changes. Enlargement of axillary accessory breast tissue is during pregnancy and lactation. The most common reason for seeking surgical consultation is anxiety for development of carcinoma. Small number of women opted for surgery purely for cosmetic reason.

Methods A total of 60 women were included in the study. The age of these women was between 19 to 50 years. Fifty women opted for surgical excision.

Results The most common symptom in these patients was exacerbation during pregnancy and lactation in 30 patients. This enlargement was the also the most common cause anxiety by patients for development of carcinoma. The palpable thickening in 10 patients was another cause of anxiety. Only 6 patients had large pendulous mass and had already made up their mind for removal of this mass. The clinical presentation in rest of the patients represented comparatively small number of patients.

Conclusions The potential of malignancy in accessory axillary breast is more than normal breast, it is essential to investigate these patients. The surgical excision of these accessory breasts is quite safe and is recommended for all the patients having symptoms.