Hyperplastic breast anomalies in the female adolescent breast

Erik M. Wolfswinkel, Valerie Lemaine, William M. Weathers, Chuma J. Chike-Obi, Amy S. Xue, Lior Heller*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Macromastia in adolescents is multifactorial and usually idiopathic, associated with obesity or hormonal imbalances. Less commonly, it can result from virginal or juvenile breast hypertrophy, a rare condition of unknown etiology, where an alarmingly rapid breast enlargement occurs during puberty. Breast hypertrophy in the adolescent population can have significant long-term medical and psychological impacts. Although symptoms can be severe, many plastic surgeons, pediatricians, and parents are often reluctant to surgically treat adolescent macromastia. However, reduction mammoplasty is a safe and effective treatment and may be the only way to alleviate the increased social, psychological, and physical strain caused by macromastia in adolescents.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)49-55
Number of pages7
JournalSeminars in Plastic Surgery
Volume27
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • adolescent
  • juvenile breast hypertrophy
  • macromastia
  • reduction mammoplasty

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