Accessory breast: Can a woman have three breasts?

Key Takeaways

• Accessory breast tissue (polymastia) is a recognised medical condition where extra breast tissue develops outside the normal breast area, commonly in the armpit.
• Accessory breasts develop along the embryonic milk line from the armpit to the groin and may or may not include a nipple or areola.
• The condition is classified into 8 grades based on severity, ranging from a small tissue mass to a more fully formed accessory breast with a nipple.
• Accessory breast tissue behaves like normal breast tissue, responding to hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy, and lactation.
• Accessory breast tissue frequently resembles lipomas, cysts, or lymph nodes, making accurate diagnosis by a doctor critical before treatment.

Yes, and it's more common than you think!

It's called accessory breast or axillary breast, and basically, it's breast tissue that builds up in other parts of your body, often under your armpit, and with or without a nipple.

The decision to have any cosmetic procedures for them is obviously a personal one, and depends on how you feel about it and what's involved in the procedure.

However, it's worth noting that Accessory Breast Removal is a practical, clinically proven solution for permanently removing unwanted tissue.

Before we look more closely at this, let's address some key questions around the phenomenon of third breasts.

Read more about accessory breasts:

• Is Accessory Breast Tissue Harmful? All You Need To Know
• Armpit lumps & axillary accessory breasts during pregnancy
• Why Exercising Won't Get Rid Of Accessory Breast
• Singapore's Complete Guide on Armpit Fat & Accessory Breast
• Accessory breast tissue in pregnant and postpartum mums
• Permanent armpit fat and accessory breast removal

What does a third breast look like?

With third breasts, accessory breasts or any type of polymastia – that is, the presence of supernumerary ("extra") breasts on the human body – the extra breast tissue can appear in many forms.

It can range from a third nipple (the most common condition, referred to as polythelia) to a fully formed and fully functional breast in an unusual location on the body.

It can also look like a breast with a nipple but no areola, a breast with an areola but no nipple, or just a small lump of breast tissue with neither a nipple nor an areola.

Eight different grades of the condition ^[6]

Am I abnormal if I have three breasts? ^[7]

It's not as rare as you might think, according to an article in The American Surgeon ^[2].

For example, apparently up to 6% of the general population in Japan has accessory breast tissue, although it is commonly misdiagnosed, usually as lipoma, a benign tumour composed of fat cells.

In a few cases, supernumerary breasts can be diagnosed with breast cancer.

While women report a much higher rate of polymastia and polythelia, there have been several reported cases of men with accessory breast tissue or an extra nipple (Mark Wahlberg apparently has one!).

Read about Accessory Breast Removal In Singapore from Amaris B. Clinic's patients:

• Mother of 2, Breast Enhancement With Fat Grafting And Accessory Breasts Removal
• Mummy In Mid 30s Bothered With Accessory Breast & Armpit Fat After Pregnancy
• 29-Year-Old Chinese Woman Frustrated With Armpit & Arm Fat

Is an accessory breast or axillary breast the same thing as armpit fat?

No, it's different. Armpit fat is common and may be caused by excess weight, genes or hormonal changes.

Appearance-wise, it's the bulge between your breast and your arm, particularly visible when you wear a bra or a well-fitted top.

Armpit fat can be effectively removed with liposuction.

Loose skin or a loss of elasticity in skin that further aggravates the appearance of this bulge between the breast and the armpit can also be addressed with a combination of Ultherapy and calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) ^[3].

How do I get rid of my third breast?

According to an American Journal of Roentgenology article, the proven methods for removing armpit fat are liposuction and for accessory breasts, surgical excision ^[4].

However, liposuction with Dr Ivan Puah's MDC-Sculpt Lipo technique in the axillary area can permanently remove excess fat, smoothly contour the area, and naturally retract the skin, all in one go.

It's not an easy procedure, though, and it has to be carried out by someone very skilled in this area.

Accessory breast glands, on the other hand, are removed successfully with another form of surgical approach – axillary gland excision.

This is because this area doesn't respond to liposuction or any non-surgical treatment.

Depending on the patient's condition, they may need both Armpit Fat Lipo and Accessory Breast Removal to achieve a flat, smooth underarm.

Dr Ivan Puah, successfully treating accessory breasts for more than 2 decades

Dr Ivan Puah is the medical director at Amaris B. Clinic and has nearly 30 years of clinical practice, including 22 years in surgical body sculpting, laser skin treatments, and injectables.

In addition to being accredited by the Ministry of Health, Singapore, to perform liposuction, he has also received dedicated training in gynecomastia surgery and various liposuction techniques in the United States, Argentina, and Italy.

If you've tried a procedure before but it hasn't had the result you want, you can also book a consultation with Dr Puah to understand whether or not you're suited to this procedure.