Additional breast nipples or also called breast nipples The third is the condition of the presence of excess nipples outside the two nipples of the right and left breasts. This condition can be experienced by both women and men, and often undetected because regarded as mole or birthmark normal.
Additional nipples form during development in utero and can appear anywhere along the milk line, the line where breast tissue has the potential to emerge and develop. This line runs from the armpits to the groin.
Additional nipple development is influenced by hormones. It is estimated that about 6% of people worldwide have more than two nipples.
This condition is congenital and usually harmless, but sometimes it is accompanied by other congenital conditions, such as congenital heart or kidney disease.
Additional nipple nipples are more common in men than women. Although the most common additional nipple abnormalities are three in number, including normal nipples, it is possible for a person to have up to eight nipples.
Additional Breast Nipple Signs
Additional nipples appear from birth, the number can be one or several. In most cases, the nipple of the extra breast is much smaller than the normal nipple, and often looks similar to a mole.
These additional nipples can also be pink or brown in color, and usually the center of the nipple protrudes from the surface of the skin. Sometimes, there is a hollow in the middle of the nipple, and hair grows at puberty.
If these additional nipples also contain breast glandular tissue, then the additional nipple area may enlarge during puberty, swell, and become tender before menstruation. Then when breastfeeding, these additional nipples can also secrete milk.
Additional Types of Nipple Breasts
Based on the composition of the existing tissue, additional nipples are divided into six categories, namely:
- Category 1
In this condition called polymastia, there is a nipple and areola, which is the dark area around the nipple, with breast tissue underneath.
- Category 2
In this category, the nipple does not have an areola, but has breast tissue underneath.
- Category 3
This category indicates that there is breast tissue and areola, but no nipple.
- Category 4
This category means there is breast tissue, but no nipple or areola.
- Category 5
In this condition called pseudomamma, the nipple and areola have fatty tissue underneath, but no breast tissue.
- Category 6
This condition is called polythelia, where there is a nipple, but no areola or breast tissue underneath.
The Risks Behind Additional Breast Nipples
Although rare, an extra nipple can be a sign of a congenital breast defect or an early sign of a tumor or cancer.
One of the genes that can cause the appearance of additional nipples is a gene called the gene Scaramanga, also allows additional nipples to develop breast cancer, as is the case with normal breasts.
Not only that, certain types of additional breast nipples, such as polythelia (category 6), are also often associated with the appearance of disorders of the kidneys, such as end-stage kidney disease or kidney cancer.
Additional Nipple Treatment
Additional nipples usually do not require medical attention. However, some people want their extra nipple to be removed because it is considered to be disturbing appearance or because it causes discomfort, such as milk discharge or pain.
The surgical procedure for additional nipple removal varies, depending on whether or not the nipple is accompanied by underlying breast tissue.
For additional nipples without breast tissue, removal can be done with a simple surgical procedure, similar to mole removal. Meanwhile, for nipples that are accompanied by breast tissue, breast removal surgery (mastectomy) can be performed.
In general, additional breast nipples are harmless and not cancerous. Even so, to confirm the condition, it is recommended that you consult a doctor, especially if there are changes in the nipples, such as nipples becoming too dry, rash appears, or lumps appear.
Written by:
Sonny Seputra, M.Ked.Klin, Sp.B, FINACS
(Surgeon Specialist)
