Accessory breast tissue commonly occurs in the armpits unilaterally or bilaterally. It can present as breast tissue without a nipple, breast tissue with a nipple, or nipple without breast tissue. The greatest concern is its impact on aesthetic appearance, followed by the possibility of discomfort or the development of breast-related conditions. Let's explore the dangers of accessory breast tissue in more detail.
Impact on Aesthetic Appearance
Accessory breast tissue is a congenital developmental anomaly that generally has no significant health implications. However, its main drawback is its effect on physical appearance, particularly when wearing sleeveless clothing, as the accumulation of fat in the armpit area can cause protrusion.
Cyclic Axillary Discomfort
Many individuals with accessory breast tissue experience discomfort in the armpit area during the premenstrual period, pregnancy, or lactation, with increased tenderness upon touch. This is primarily due to the presence of glandular tissue in some cases of accessory breast tissue, which shares similar structural and physiological characteristics with normal breast tissue and is influenced by hormonal changes.
Potential for Breast-related Conditions
Accessory breast tissue, like normal breast tissue, can be susceptible to breast conditions such as mastitis, fibroadenoma, breast fibroids, and breast cancer, with potentially higher risks than normal breast tissue.
In addition, inflammation in accessory breast tissue is often misdiagnosed as lymphadenitis, or the proliferation of glandular tissue in accessory breasts may be mistaken for lipoma, leading to delays in treatment and affecting patient outcomes.
Impact on Breastfeeding
Accessory breast tissue, due to its similar structural and physiological characteristics to normal breast tissue, can interfere with normal breastfeeding. For example, the inability to fully drain milk from accessory breasts can send signals to the brain, resulting in the release of "prolactin-inhibiting factor," leading to decreased prolactin levels and affecting the secretion of normal breast milk.
Risk of Abscess Formation
Some accessory breasts, lacking nipples, can accumulate milk without being able to empty it, leading to swelling, inflammation, and potentially abscess formation. This situation often occurs during lactation.
