MORE ABOUT GIGANTOMASTIA

Literally translated, bilateral gigantomastia means “extremely large breasts”, says Dr Dirk Lazarus, a Cape Town plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon. “Some women have large breasts, known as macromastia, but abnormally large breasts are known as gigantomastia.”

The condition is caused by a reaction to oestrogen and other female hormones but genetics can have an influence.

There are three types of gigantomastia, says Dr Nerina Wilkinson, a Cape Town plastic surgeon. “One is caused by pregnancy hormones and causes abnormal breast growth in the first trimester. The condition can also be caused by puberty or certain medications.”

Bilateral gigantomastia causes pain and discomfort, Lazarus says. A patient whose breasts weigh more than 2,5kg each can experience symptoms such as back, neck and shoulder pain, a skin rash under the breasts, headache, psychosocial problems and poor self-image. The weight of the breasts can also cause the spine to curve abnormally.

Wilkinson adds that bad posture and a loss of sensation in the nipples are other side effects of the condition.

“Weight gain isn’t linked with gigantomastia,” Lazarus says. An unhealthy diet can certainly contribute to diabetes, fibromyalgia and weight gain – but it’s not the cause of gigantomastia.

A breast reduction done by a plastic surgeon can provide relief.

“But to qualify for the surgery the patient has to have a body-mass index of less than 30 – in other words, not be obese. The patient should also be generally in good health,” Lazarus says.

In some cases a mastectomy (breast removal) is advised, Wilkinson says.