What are the different types of axillary breasts?

Axillary breasts, also known as accessory breasts, are supernumerary pieces of breast tissue that occur in the axillary region. Although it is a relatively common congenital anomaly with an incidence of about 2-6% among women. These are practically unseen in men. Axillary breasts can be a source of sweat accumulation, rashes, ill fitting clothes, discomfort, and pain for many. Thus, understanding the conditions and management options available may help provide these patients with more effective care.

If you find yourself in a condition where you require professional guidance or treatment for your axillary breasts, consulting an experienced axillary breast surgeon in Thane is an indispensable step.

What are Axillary Breasts?

Axillary breasts are an extension of breast tissue that may form in areas beyond the main mound of breasts. This tissue tends to appear in the axilla or underarm region but can also present in a wide range of other locations such as the chest, back, or abdomen.

The axillary tail of Spence, refers to the tail of breast tissue extending into the underarm area presents exactly the same picture. In practice, both conditions are treated in the same way. Many times, the difference is only seen by the operating plastic surgeon during the procedure, Axillary breasts are composed of the same tissue as a regular breast and may go through changes due to hormones, such as during pregnancy or menstrual cycles.

Types of Axillary Breasts

Axillary breasts may vary depending on their size, location, and the degree by which they change. These are the different types: Our plastic surgeon at LaserCosmesis has publication on this problem. You can check that here

True Axillary Breasts:

True axillary breasts contain mature breast tissue–glandular tissue and breast fat. Finding a, nipple and an areola is extremely rare. It is the most evident form and may also cause functional problems because of active, functioning gland breast tissue.

For a deeper understanding of the factors behind breast size changes, explore our blog "Understanding Why Breast Size Increases: Causes and Considerations."

A few may develop swelling and sensitivity and possibly lactation as the pregnancy progresses or while breastfeeding. True axillary breasts are usually quite painful, and the cosmetic appeal might be somewhat offensive.

In such cases, most of them visit an axillary breast surgeon in Thane to seek help for corrective procedures.

Accessory Breast Tissue Without Nipple:

This is characterized by extra breast tissue in the armpit or any other location but without any nipple or areola. This is 99 percent of the cases. Such tissue behaves like the breast tissue, in that it is sensitive to hormonal shifts and tends to become swollen or tender.

For accessory breast tissue, women may face lumps within their armpits or even feel pain or tenderness during specific portions of the menstrual cycle. Women find it difficult to keep arms by the side. They feel their arms have to be held away from the body due to intervening lumps which may grow pretty big. This makes them feel strain on the shoulders and inability to find well fitting clothes. They are unable to wear modern clothes, beach or swimwear or activewear. In addition rashes, sweat accumulation makes them feel sticky and stinky.

Making contact with a specialist doctor who is an axillary breast surgeon in Thane would help one decide between taking up the excision procedure or other less invasive approaches, such as liposuction.

Lipoma or Fatty Deposits:

Many of them mistake armpit lipomas or fatty deposits for axillary breasts. Lipomas are benign, fatty tumours that can occur under the skin. Fatty deposit formations are typically caused by pregnancy related changes.

Both of these conditions will create a bulge in the armpit region that mimic axillary breasts. While these growths are not actually breast tissue, the distress and the symptoms.

A consultation with an expert axillary breast surgeon in Thane will ensure proper diagnosis and appropriate choice of the treatment plan.

Axillary Tail of Spence:

An axillary tail of Spence is essentially an extension of normal tissue of the breast into the armpit. In many women, these tails are elongated during periods of hormonal change - especially as during pregnancy.

While it is a normal part of the anatomy of the breast, an elevated or very projecting axillary tail may raise cosmetic and also physical concerns.

The prominent axillary tail often requires removal in the interest of comfort and aesthetic appearance.

Axillary Breasts Treatment Options

Axillary breast treatment depends on the type, size, and degree of individual discomfort.

• Surgical excision: is the most widely used procedure, especially for the true axillary breasts and well-defined axillary tails.
• Liposuction: can be done as an adjuvant treatment, particularly to those patients who have fatty deposits or very mild cases of accessory breast tissue.

Our plastic surgeon at Lasercosmesis has shown that liposuction of axillary breasts should be avoided as it may damage the nerves inside it. Liposuction is limited to giving proper shape to the axilla after removal of the gland.

The surgical procedure may be conducted by small incisions, under local or general anesthesia. Depending on the nature of surgery involved, most patients may resume their daily activities after one or two weeks.

Conclusion

Symptomatic or not, axillary breasts are often disturbing for most women the different types of axillary breasts and the treatment options can, to some extent, be removed from such discomfort. A consultation with an expert axillary breast surgeon in Thane will ensure an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan selection.