Gigantomastia or breast hypertrophy is a rare condition that involves developing extremely large breasts due to excessive breast tissue growth. It affects women. If you have gigantomastia, you’ll experience rapid and disproportionate breast growth. The speed at which your breasts grow can vary, from over a few weeks to over several years. The tissue is almost always benign (not cancerous).
Causes of Gigantomastia
Infection
Breast infections, known as mastitis, are most common among those who are breastfeeding. Mastitis can cause inflammation, leading to swelling and feelings of heaviness in the affected breast.It tends to happen when milk becomes stuck in the breast, allowing bacteria to grow out of control. This can happen because of a blocked milk duct or when bacteria from your skin or your baby’s mouth enter your breast through your nipple.
Medication side effects
Certain medications can cause breast-related side effects. The most common sources are hormonal medications such as birth control pills, fertility treatments, and hormone replacement therapy.Hormonal medications work in different ways to regulate your hormone levels. Fluctuations in your levels of either estrogen or progesterone can cause fluid retention in your breasts, making them feel heavy.
Inflammatory breast cancer
Heaviness usually isn’t a breast cancer symptom. The exception to this is inflammatory breast cancer. Still, it’s the least likely cause breast heaviness. Inflammatory breast cancer is very rare, making up only about 1 to 5 percent of all breast cancers, according to the National Cancer InstituteTrusted Source. It’s an aggressive cancer that often comes on quickly. As a result, you’ll likely experience some other symptoms as well.
Fibrocystic breast changes
Fibrocystic breast changes are very common. According to the Mayo Clinic, half of women experience them at some point in their lives. This noncancerous condition can cause a variety of changes in the breasts, including the accumulation of water in the breast tissue. When your breasts swell and fill with fluid, they’ll feel heavier than usual. These changes can happen in one or both breasts. They might occur every month at a certain point in your cycle or follow no discernable pattern.
And finally, your healthcare provider will examine you and ask questions about your medical history. They will need to know how your breast size has changed, other symptoms you have, or if you’re taking any medications. Further testing is usually not needed to confirm the diagnosis.