BILATERAL BREAST HYPERTROPHY (GIGANTOMASTIA)

Gigantomastia is a rare condition characterized by excessive breast growth. It may occur spontaneously, during puberty or pregnancy, or while taking certain medications.There is no universally accepted definition of gigantomastia, but the majority of medical articles refer to a particular weight of excess breast tissue.Symptoms of gigantomastic may include mastalgia (breast pain), ulceration/infection, posture problems, back pain and chronic traction injury to 4th/5th/6th intercostal nerves with resultant loss of nipple sensation. It is also associated with decreased fetal growth, if it occurs during pregnancy. The exact cause of gigantomastia is not known; however, hormonal and hereditary factors may be involved. Additionally, gigantomastia has been noted as a side effect of treatment with certain medications, such as like D-penicillamine. Treatment may include breast reduction, mastectomy with or without reconstruction, hormonal treatment, or a combination of treatments.