[Accessory Breast Surgery] "They Say It's Not Cancer, So Is It Really Okay?" Bridging the Gap in Perspectives on Accessory Breasts

"I endured it for 10 years because they told me it was fine."

Hello, I am Surgeon Cho Seong-il.

Today, I would like to talk about the difference in perspective between doctors and patients regarding accessory breasts (polymastia).

A story from a patient who visited my clinic yesterday left a deep impression on me, prompting me to write this post today.

After giving birth, the patient began experiencing discomfort in her armpits. Through a medical examination, she discovered that she had glandular tissue under her arms. Since then, she had been undergoing regular hospital checkups for about 10 years.

At every checkup, regarding her accessory breast tissue, the explanation was repeatedly: "There is nothing particularly abnormal."

"It is not cancer, nor is it a dangerous disease, so it is completely fine to leave it as it is."

Every time her menstrual cycle arrived, her armpits ached with a heavy, throbbing sensation. She also felt persistent stress due to the noticeable bulging whenever she dressed. However, thinking 'the doctor said it's fine, so there must be no problem,' she let it pass. Even so, on the other hand, she admitted harboring continuous anxiety: 'Could leaving it like this for so long eventually turn into a major disease like breast cancer?'

Between the Doctor's "It's Fine" and the Patient's "It's Uncomfortable"

Whenever I meet patients with accessory breasts in my clinic, I deeply feel the perceptual gap that exists between physician and patient.

The Doctor's Perspective (Disease-Centered)

To medical providers, an accessory breast is fundamentally a question of: "Is it a malignant tumor (cancer), or not?" If it is a tissue that poses no direct threat to life, it is medically classified as "no abnormality detected"—in other words, "a condition requiring only periodic observation."

The Patient's Perspective (Centered on Daily Life and Quality of Life)

However, for the patient, an accessory breast is part of everyday life. The psychological inhibition felt when wearing sleeveless clothing, the friction and chafing in the armpits, and the recurring physical pain around menstrual periods directly deteriorate their quality of life.

The casual reassurance from a doctor that "it is fine" merely meant that the medical risk was low. Yet, to the patient, it was interpreted as "even if it's uncomfortable, you just have to bear it and live with it."

It's Not Cancer, So Can You Just Leave an Accessory Breast Untreated?

An accessory breast is not a simple lump of fat. Just like the breasts on the chest, it is composed of actual mammary gland tissue that responds to hormones, remaining in the axillary area. Therefore, it is entirely natural for this glandular tissue to swell and cause pain in sync with the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or postpartum phases.

The critical point here is that the diagnosis "it is not cancer and not immediately dangerous" does not mean "it is fine to neglect the patient's discomfort."

The direction of treatment should be determined by comprehensively taking into account the magnitude of physical pain and cosmetic distress experienced by the patient.

Confirming that it is not cancer should not mark the end of care, but rather the starting point for addressing how to resolve the patient's discomfort.

A Message to You Who Have Endured for 10 Years

To the patient who visited yesterday, I explained in detail the anatomical structure of the accessory breast and the cause of her pain, gently guiding her so she could let go of her anxiety about cancer. I also expressed deep empathy for the physical and psychological burdens she had silently endured all alone.

Could you also be hiding behind the word "it's fine," enduring the discomfort and anxiety of an accessory breast all by yourself?

I sincerely hope you can alleviate your anxiety about disease and regain comfort in your daily life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does an accessory breast hurt with every menstrual cycle?

This is because the accessory breast contains the same mammary glandular tissue found in normal breasts. Because it is not simply fat but true hormonal-responsive glandular tissue remaining under the arm, it swells and causes pain aligned with menstrual cycles or pregnancy.

If it is diagnosed as non-cancerous, can it just be left alone?

Yes, if there is no immediate medical risk, it is medically acceptable to monitor it through observation alone. However, just because it is not a malignant tumor does not mean you must ignore pain or aesthetic distress; treatment can be pursued to improve your overall quality of life.

Will an accessory breast eventually turn into breast cancer if left for a long time?

No, having an accessory breast does not automatically mean it will turn into breast cancer. If an examination confirms that the tissue is non-malignant and poses no life threat, it is medically classified as a benign condition.

What daily discomforts can be caused by accessory breasts?

They can cause cyclical physical pain, armpit chafing, and self-consciousness regarding body image. In particular, the noticeable bulge when wearing sleeveless outfits can cause aesthetic stress, and heavy aching before and after periods can impair quality of life.