Accessory Breast – What Is It?

During pregnancy, a woman prepares to breastfeed¹, and when her breasts start to fill with milk, she may notice something strange in the armpit area, similar to a swollen lymph node. What could it be? Upon seeing a doctor, she discovers that there is milk production in that area as well, which is when she finds out she has an accessory breast. The accessory breast, or axillary breast as it is also called, is something not widely known among women but can cause significant discomfort for those who have it. Some women may notice the accessory breast as soon as they enter puberty and have their first period. But some may go their whole lives without feeling any symptoms! Most women only notice something different when they become pregnant and it is time to breastfeed. The discomfort is so intense that it is impossible to ignore². But after all, why does this happen?

During the development of the female embryo, the mammary glands are distributed along a line that goes from the armpits down to the inguinal folds near the navel. Some doctors even compare this to dogs and cats, which have several nipples for nursing their young. However, as development continues, these mammary glands atrophy, and only two remain, located on the breasts.

These two breasts finish developing only at the onset of puberty, when the girl goes through a hormonal transition and her breasts begin to grow. However, some women do not have all the other breast tissues atrophy, and are left with one or more in other parts of their body, most commonly in the armpit area. This is known as an accessory breast or, as doctors call it, polymastia. Some women who feel discomfort may confuse it with excess fat, especially when located in the armpit area.

What Are the Symptoms and What Is the Treatment for Accessory Breast?

Some women may notice a difference, discomfort, or pain when they are close to their menstrual period, while others only notice it when breastfeeding, and the mammary gland located outside the breast begins to swell and may even produce milk. The pain felt in the area is very similar to breast pain, with the same sensitivity, and it is tender when touched and pressed, just like the breasts. The area is somewhat firm and when carefully palpated, it’s possible to feel a small lump inside, similar to what can be found in the breasts. When a woman gains weight, the accessory breast increases in size, and when she loses weight, it also gets smaller; because of this, it can easily be mistaken for extra fat. The best thing to do when something unusual is noticed is to see a gynecologist for evaluation.

The treatment is simple, but surgical, since there is no medication to treat the problem. This is not a serious problem, but it causes enough discomfort and pain that it should not be ignored. The surgery is also considered very simple, and the procedure is performed only in the area where the accessory breast is located. With a small incision, the mammary gland can be removed, leaving a small, almost imperceptible scar³. The anesthesia used can be either general or local, and this is decided together with the surgeon. The procedure lasts on average 30 minutes, and the woman is discharged from hospital about 5 hours later. Before scheduling the surgery date, several lab tests as well as photographic records need to be done.

Recovery after removal of accessory breast tissue is considered easy, but it is important to take great care to avoid lifting heavy objects or making sudden movements, even while sleeping. Recovery usually takes between 21 and 30 days.

See also: Pink October – Breast Cancer Prevention

Photos: lorZ, Eirik Solheim