Additional mammary gland

The additional lobe and the additional mammary gland are formed from the elements of the breast tissue that are located not far from the mammary glands itself: the pectoralis muscle zone, the subclavian and axillary region.

Additional lobes do not have nipples, but otherwise behave like a true mammary gland: they are elastic and mobile, increase in size with breastfeeding and are subject to the same diseases that may be characteristic of the mammary glands.

The additional mammary gland has a nipple and a milky duct and in medical circles is called polymastia.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5]

Causes of the additional mammary gland

A common opinion of experts on the causes of the formation of additional lobes, nipples and mammary glands is still not there.

Additional lobes of the breast can appear due to genetic disorders, after a sudden hormonal surge (for example, during active puberty).

Additional glands are attributed to defects (abnormalities) of the development of the mammary glands. Normal glands should be located symmetrically, there should be two. The additional organ can form either downward from the usual glands, or in atypical zones: on the neck, under the arms, even on the back and genitals.

Most often, the cause of the appearance of such additional elements is a delay in development or an abnormal reverse development of mammary gland mammal embryonic levels.

Indeed, the additional elements of the gland appear as early as the sixth week of embryonic development throughout the lactiferous lines. However, before 10 weeks, excess elements are leveled, and only a pair of mammary glands in the thoracic region remains. But in some cases the additional elements do not lend themselves to involution. The exact causes of this phenomenon have not yet been established.

[6], [7], [8]

Symptoms of the additional mammary gland

The additional proportion of the breast can be painful and painless. Most of all, this anomaly delivers an aesthetic and psychological inconvenience, which generates a lot of complexes and fears in relation to your body.

The accessory glands and lobes have a slightly convex volumetric shape in the form of an elastic compaction, sometimes with a visual dot or nipple. In rare cases, the formation can take the form of an ordinary mammary gland. Such an additional organ is in most cases located downward from the breast or in the axillary zone.

A few days before menstruation, the additional organ increases in volume simultaneously with the increase in normal breast, the same occurs during breastfeeding. If there is a nipple from the milky duct of the extra gland, milk can be released.

Such an anomaly does not apply to oncology. But the possibility of developing a malignant process in the supplementary gland does not exclude, since such cases have been documented. The risk of malignancy increases if the supplementary element is regularly injured by clothing or other accessories.

Supplementary lobe of the breast

Normally, the body of the mammary gland has 15 to 20 lobes, all of which have a conical shape. The shares are arranged around the circumference of the milky duct and are separated from each other by a thin connective tissue layer. Each share, in turn, is divided into even smaller segments, the number of which varies from 30 to 80 in each share.

An additional proportion of the breast is an abnormal phenomenon, when the glandular tissue is found in the chest area, or closer to the subclavian and axillary zones. In principle, the additional tissue elements themselves are not dangerous, and most of all patients are concerned, as a rule, with the aesthetic side of the issue. Similarly, the additional share does not cause any problems with the procedure of breastfeeding.

After lactation, the additional ferruginous portion will decrease and eventually disappear. Apply any measures in relation to the additional gland is not necessary: expressing an additional breast can lead to her injury, which is highly undesirable.

[9], [10], [11]

Additional mammary gland under the mouse

The most characteristic zone of formation of the additional gland is the lateral region of the axilla, although in some cases anomaly can be observed in other parts of the body. Not in all cases the additional mammary gland is directly connected with the main mammary glands.

The additional mammary gland under the arm is observed in 4-6% of such anomalies: the additional organ develops from embryonic embryos along the length of the dairy line.

There are eight types of additional gland, half of which do not contain glandular tissue, but they have a full nipple or nasal cavity. Experts are not inclined to attribute any of the types of additional glands to risk factors of oncology, although thoroughly this issue has not yet been studied.

Patients with an accessory gland agree to the operation most often because of a certain psychological and physical discomfort that can deliver an additional element of the organ.

The additional mammary gland on an X-ray image looks like a low intensity darkening zone, which is not sharply limited from the nearest tissues. Such a zone can be surrounded by fibers of connective tissue and subcutaneous fat.

[12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18], [19]

Diagnostics of the additional mammary gland

The visual method of diagnosis, which involves examining the breast for the presence of the additional gland and nipples, presents no difficulties. In some cases, if the additional nipple is not sufficiently developed, it can be confused with the protruding mole.

In complete patients, the additional fraction should be differentiated from lipomas or cysts.

Additional laboratory and instrumental diagnostic studies can be prescribed when the doctor suspects any pathological process in abnormal education. Also, the examination is performed before the treatment of the accessory glands.

The examination can begin with the consultation of a mammologist, gynecologist-endocrinologist, surgeon-gynecologist.

Some additional studies will help evaluate the functional ability and find out if they have any inflammatory and other painful processes. Among such methods we can distinguish the following:

• Ultrasound of the breast is a popular study of the morphological features of tissues with the help of reflected ultrasound signals. The method makes it possible to detect various tumors, both superficial and deep, with dimensions even less than 0.5 cm. US allows to find differences between fibroadenoma, malignant tumor, abscess, cyst and mastitis. The procedure is carried out in the first phase of the menstrual cycle;
• computed tomography is an x-ray computer method that allows you to get not just a snapshot, but a layered image of breast tissue. This method is used mainly to refine certain details before the operation, to examine the nearest lymph nodes, and also to determine the depth and germination of the tumor;
• Magnetic resonance imaging of mammary glands is a method similar to computed tomography, but does not involve X-rays. The procedure of MRI is based on the application of the capabilities of the magnetic field. Evaluation of MRI is sometimes simply necessary in determining the further treatment regimen, including the operational one;
• mammography - radiographic examination of mammary glands. It is carried out in two projections, which allows to detect cystic formations, tumors of benign and malignant nature.

[20], [21]

Treatment of the additional mammary gland

Treatment of such defects as additional lobes of the breast can only be surgical. In principle, it is not necessary to remove such anomaly, if it does not disturb the patient and does not cause any inconvenience. Sometimes they are limited to monitoring the status of the extra gland, since such formations of no less than ordinary glands are susceptible to inflammatory and oncological diseases.

Plastic surgery with removal of the accessory gland or lobe is recommended with a clear cosmetic defect, tenderness in the area of the abnormal gland, when pathological processes and functional disorders are detected. Indication for the removal of the accessory gland is also a hereditary burden if one of the direct relatives was ill with the malignant process of the breast.

Removal of additional lobe of the breast

The surgical intervention is performed by a method of correction by liposuction, or by the method of removing the formation with suturing the skin. The procedure of the operation may depend on the size and structure of the additional mammary gland.

With a large formation consisting partly of fatty tissues, an incision of 5 mm is made and the fat layer is pumped out.

If this is not enough, the incision is increased and the elements of the glandular tissue are removed. If necessary, remove and part of the skin over the abnormal gland.

Surgery lasts approximately 1 hour, with intravenous anesthesia. A patient can be discharged on the same day that the operation was performed. Sutures are removed on the seventh-eighth day. There are no any special recommendations for the management of the postoperative period.

Surgery to remove the accessory gland, as a rule, is low-traumatic. The scar after the operation is most often in the armpit, so it does not cause cosmetic discomfort. Immediately after surgery, the patient can return to normal lifestyle.

Forecast

Regardless of whether the patient is concerned about the additional proportion of the breast, or not, leaving the anomaly without attention is impossible - any defect in the development of organs can contribute to the development of negative complications and consequences.

If the patient is not going to take radical treatment - removal of the additional proportion of the breast - then at least she should visit the doctor periodically, undergo a prophylactic ultrasound to monitor the growth and structure of the abnormal formation.

Additional lobes and glands that are located in places that are susceptible to permanent mechanical damage (friction with clothing, limbs, etc.) are recommended to be removed, as with permanent trauma, such elements can be malignant (take malignant course).

After removing the additional proportion of the breast, the prognosis is usually favorable.

The additional mammary gland is not a rare case, however it requires qualified diagnostics to adequately assess the state of education and determine the need for operative treatment of the anomaly.

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