[Accessory breast on the vulva]

Unexpected presentation of accessory breast: vulvar accessory breast tissue: a case report

BACKGROUND

The accessory breast is composed of residual glandular mammary tissue that persists after normal embryonic development. The entity is so rare that it is easily neglected in the diagnosis of disease.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a 24-year-old virgin Persian woman with a left-sided vulvar mass and no pain or discomfort until shortly before her presentation at our department. Ectopic breast tissue in the vulva was diagnosed. We performed wide local resection of the lesion. Pathological investigation of the lesion confirmed the presence of ectopic breast tissue with secretory changes. She had no specific developmental abnormalities and had no relevant family history. She was followed up for 10 months and had recovered fully by this time.

CONCLUSION

Accessory breast tissue should be considered as a diagnosis when a mass is seen along the embryonic milk line, especially if the clinical findings reveal changes in the mass accompanied by changes in sex hormones.

Ectopic mammary tissue in vulva: case report and systematic literature review

Objective

To report the case of a patient diagnosed with ectopic mammary tissue in the vulva, and to conduct a literature review of the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of this condition in that location.

Materials and Methods

A 49-year-old patient who presented with a painful vulvar mass to a private intermediate complexity center in Bogotá, Colombia. The lesion was assessed on ultrasound and then surgically excised; histopathology showed ectopic mammary tissue with absence of malignancy. A search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, LILACS and Scielo databases using the keywords “Vulva,” “Breast” and “Ectopic.” Case reports and case series of women with histopathology-confirmed mammary tissue in the vulva were included.

Results

Overall, 184 titles were identified and, of these, 94 were ultimately included, for a total of 126 cases, with 57.9% being benign tumors, 95% in women under 50 years of age, and 42.06% being malignant tumors, 92% in women over 50 years of age. Diagnosis was made on the basis of the clinical findings, with ancillary diagnostic imaging, tumor markers and immunohistochemistry in some cases. Local excision was performed in 91% of cases with benign pathology and in 43% of cases with malignant pathology, with the diagnostic method being therapeutic.

Conclusions

Ectopic mammary tissue in the vulva must be considered as part of the differential diagnosis of vulvar masses, prognosis being different in pre and postmenopausal women. Further studies are needed to enhance the characterization of this condition and define the ideal course of treatment in terms of relapse and survival.

A Study of Evaluation and Management of Rare Congenital Breast Diseases

INTRODUCTION

Polymastia and polythelia may be asymptomatic or cause pain, restriction of arm movement, milk discharge, cosmetic problems or anxiety. Cosmesis is the main indication for surgical excision of accessory breasts in axilla. In addition it also confirms the diagnosis and allays the patient's fear of harbouring a malignancy.

AIM

To evaluate the presentation of symptoms, investigations required for diagnosis and the management to improve the treatment protocols in patients with breast diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study on breast diseases presenting as supernumerary breasts and nipples was conducted in the Department of Surgery between January 2013 and January 2016 at MMIMS Research and hospital, Mullana, Ambala. Patients were evaluated for breast diseases, either benign or malignant in both genders. A total of 32 cases diagnosed as accessory breasts disease were retrieved from the hospital archive. The clinical and radiological evaluation was done in the form of ultrasound and mammography wherever necessary. Accessory breast tissues were excised under general anesthesia and histopathological examinations were done.

RESULTS

Out of 32 cases: 1(3.125%) male patient had unilateral and 1(3.125%) male had bilateral accessory nipple, 7 (21.87%) females had unilateral and 1(3.125%) had bilateral accessory nipple, 1 (3.125%) diagnosed as accessory axillary fibroadenoma in female, 16(50%) presented as unilateral and 5 (15.62%) had bilateral swelling in the axilla as accessory breast. Patients underwent surgical excision and in 8(25%) cases z- shaped incision was made in view of better cosmesis. Patients were followed up upto 6 months postoperatively. There were no residual swelling and movements of the arm over the shoulder joint were normal. In 3(9.37%) cases, wound dehiscence occurred; in 2 (6.25%) cases lymphoedema formation was seen. These were successfully managed conservatively.

CONCLUSION

As breast swellings either fibroadenoma or carcinoma are common entities to come across everywhere but accessory breasts are rarely encountered especially in rural areas because of less awareness. The study found that there was tendency to neglect the swelling as there were minimal symptoms present. We also came across a rare entity, accessory breast and accessory nipples. A clinician should not ignore such cases taking as simple swelling because of chances of discovering a malignancy can occur.