[Breast abnormalities: a retrospective study of 208 patients].
Ectopic breast tissue occurs in 0.4-6% of the general population. Usually, these tissues develop along the embryonic milk line but other sites are reported in the literature. Accessory breasts are commonly axillary and may undergo hormonal changes. Some pathologies of normally positioned breasts can occur in ectopic breast tissue, including carcinoma, and therefore require traditional senological flow-charts and imaging strategies. Supernumerary nipples are generally asymptomatic but may sometimes be associated with urological malformations. In our 10-year experience, 208 patients were observed (138 polythelia and 70 polymastia) and 159 surgical procedures were performed, 97 for supernumerary nipple excision and 67 for accessory breast ablation. Five neoplastic lesions and 25 fibrocystic mastopathies were detected in specimens; normal nipple or breast tissue was found in 129. In view of the potentially malignant transformation of accessory breasts, thorough physician evaluation is needed. Surgery is currently suggested in cases of suspected malignancy, in symptomatic cases and for cosmetic problems.
Famà
Fausto
F
Chirurgia Generale, Università degli Studi di Messina.
Gioffrè Florio
Maria Antonietta
MA
Villari
Santa Alessandra
SA
Caruso
Rosario
R
Barresi
Valeria
V
Mazzei
Sergio
S
Pollicino
Andrea
A
Scarfò
Paola
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001940:Breast / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002828:Choristoma; D005260:Female; D005348:Fibrocystic Breast Disease / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009558:Nipples / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome