What is breast asymmetry?
Breast asymmetry is medically known as anisomastia and, like micromastia or macromastia, is a breast malformation. Breast asymmetry generally refers to a difference in size, but the shape of the breasts can vary even if they are the same size. The uneven formation of the breasts often occurs in combination with other breast malformations.
But where is the threshold at which breast asymmetry can be described as a malformation? This cannot be determined exactly, as a certain degree of breast asymmetry is present in a large number of women and must be understood as a normal variant.
What are the causes?
In the vast majority of cases, there is no explanation for this malformation other than heredity.
If it is not a familial predisposition, the following causes may be present, which can disrupt development during the growth phase or cause breast asymmetry after breast growth is complete .
- Injuries to the breast, including scarring from burns, for example.
- Breast irradiation: Uneven breasts occur during irradiation due to a change in the glandular tissue. This often leads to hardening and shrinkage of the tissue.
- Infections and inflammations can lead to the melting of mammary gland tissue or fatty tissue, which can result in asymmetrical breasts due to shrinkage or deformation.
- Operations
- Tumor formation as a cause of breast asymmetry is rare before growth is complete: Cysts, lipomas (fatty tissue tumors), adenomas, breast cancer, etc.
Breast asymmetry with particular disorders of the system
There are a number of special investment disorders. They are rare and are briefly described below.
Asymmetrical breasts in Poland syndrome:
Poland syndrome is characterized in particular by asymmetrical breasts. However, a syndrome always includes other symptoms. Poland syndrome also includes the following features:
- Large pectoral muscle missing on one side
- Breast asymmetry due to unilateral micromastia or amastia (absence of breasts)
- Unilateral malformation of the nipples in men
- Malformation of the hand
- Increased growth of underarm hair
- Unilaterally reduced or missing kidney
- et al.
Breast asymmetry in Amazon syndrome:
In Amazon syndrome, one breast is greatly reduced in size or completely absent (amastia). Other changes are not present.
What correction options are available?
Often one surgical procedure is not sufficient for correction, so that a combination of the following procedures leads to better results.
- Breast augmentation
- Breast reduction
- Breast lift
- Nipple correction for large nipples or inverted nipples
A unilateral breast augmentation is often performed in combination with a lift or reduction on the opposite side. Sometimes a correction by breast reduction on the larger side is sufficient. This variant usually involves the least amount of work.
It is not possible to give a generalized recommendation for the correction of breast asymmetry. Our experienced plastic surgeons will decide on the appropriate method for each individual case together with the patient.
Here you will find information on cost coverage for breast asymmetry.
- Literature:
- Plastic Surgery – Mathes – 8 Volumes – Saunders; Edition: Uitgawe – 2005
- Plastic Surgery – Grabb & Smith – Lippinkott Williams & Wilkins – Philadelphia USA – 2007
- Plastic surgery – Krupp – Ecomed – 2008 – (ring binder)
- Plastic Surgery – Berger, Hierner – Springer – Volume 3: Mamma, Stamm – Berlin 2006
