Tubular breasts

What is it?

Tuberous breast is a condition in which one or both breasts are malformed. The breast appears contracted with a "tuberous" shape, with little or no development in the lower quadrants and with downward deviation of the areola-nipple complex, a scale that includes IV degrees of deformity is distinguished.

Causes and risk factors

Tuberous breast is a malformation caused by improper development of the mammary gland. In the tuberous breast the mammary gland grows contracted, IV degrees of classification, malprojection and positioning of the CAC (areola-nipple complex), main hypodevelopment of the lower mammary quadrants. Among the possible causes is an anomaly of the superficial fascia that is attached to the dermis and the muscular plane, creating a protrusion towards the front of the mammary growth, another cause of the tuberous breast is a constrictor ring at the base of the breast, which causes the impediment of mammary growth.

Which are the symptoms?

It shows up with obvious reduction of the diameter of the breast base, insufficient glandular development and reduction of the skin surface, particularly in the lower quadrants. Other common symptoms include upward dislocation of the submammary sulcus, herniation of glandular tissue, and protrusion of the nipple-areola complex and increased areolar width. Discomfort, sometimes painful.

  • Hypoplasia of the inferior mammary pole
  • Downward deviation of the nipple-areola complex
  • Reduction of the mammary base
  • Increased areolar width
  • Protusion of areola-nipple complex
  • Sometimes painful
  • Mono or bilateral
  • Discomfort

How is it diagnosed?

There is a mono or bilateral deformity of the mammae that appear contracted, with lower pole less or not developed, often present at this level a shoot that retracts and deforms internally the profile of the mammae at the lower quadrant. The nipple-areola complex is often deviated downward and laterally, with protusion and areal herniation. By mammary ultrasonography it is possible to investigate the extent of hyperevelopment combined with the retractile fibrous component.

Suggested exams

How is it treated?

It is a surgical procedure that can be performed under general anesthesia with a variable duration from about 1.30 to 2.30 hours. It is possible to model the lack of volume with breast lipofilling, breast prosthesis loss, sometimes with "hybrid" technique that is both prosthesis and lipofilling and in selective cases with periareolar mastopexy. The surgery can be performed with one day of hospitalization or in day surgery. Social life and work activity can be resumed after about 1-2 weeks avoiding physical exertion.

Suggested procedures

Where do we treat it?

Within the San Donato Group, you can find Tubular breasts specialists at these departments:

Are you interested in receiving the treatment?

Contact us and we will take care of you.