Familial juvenile hypertrophy of the breast

Jacky Govrin-Yehudain, Leonid Kogan, Hector I. Cohen, Tzipora C. Falik-Zaccai

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective:Juvenile (virginal) hypertrophy of the breast (JHB) is a relatively rare condition leading to gigantomastia in peripubertal females. The pathology is limited usually to the breast, with otherwise normal growth and development and without any other deformities. The rapid growth of the breast (bilateral or unilateral) in adolescent girls leads to significant physical and psychological difficulties. This gigantomastia is treated surgically by breast reduction or mastectomy and its modification. Familial JHB was described only once in the literature, and its etiology is unknown. Results We report here on a familial pattern of juvenile hypertrophy of the breast accompanied by congenital anonychia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of such a presentation. Our study dealt with four members of the same family, related through their fathers, enduring congenital anonychia of hands and feet with no functional limitation and who showed rapid uncontrolled breast enlargement in prepubertal age. This was severe enough to cause the curtailment of their social activity and cessation of schooling. The mothers of all four patients had normal breasts and nails, whereas their fathers had anonychia. The genetic basis for the association between the two clinical findings is yet to be determined. Conclusion The four girls underwent breast reduction surgery.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)151-155
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Adolescent Health
Volume35
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adolescents
  • Breast
  • Hypertrophy
  • Virginal

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