Gigantomastia is a more extreme and rapid form of macromastia.
Most patients dealing with oversized breasts tend to casually refer to their breasts as “large” or even call their condition “gigantomastia”. However, macromastia and gigantomastia are two different medical terms that refer to different stages on the spectrum of breast hypertrophy. It is good to have an idea that your chest is a source of pain. But knowing the specific clinical diagnosis is essential for determining the right surgical treatment, particularly in breast reduction procedures. At Lin Europe Clinic, we are convinced accurate diagnosis gives precise solutions. We will guide you through the terminology of the medical world to justify your physical struggle and find a way to relief.
The main difference between macromastia and gigantomastia is how much of tissue is involved and the severity of symptoms. Macromastia is a condition where the breasts are disproportionately large om the person yet causing chronic discomfort and problems in posture. Gigantomastia is an extremely rare and severe condition when the breast weighs more than 3% of the total body weight, thus removal of tissue is measured in kilos rather than grams. Being able to differentiate between these conditions is crucial for surgeons to plan frontline safety of the blood supply and the technique required for your reduction mammoplasty.
What Is Macromastia?
Macromastia refers to breast enlargement to such an extent that it is causing symptoms but changes in the breast tissue are still within normal boundaries. A patient with macromastia complains of pressures and aches in the neck, back and shoulders, as well as heavy shoulders with bra strap depression. Their breast size is large relative to their body size. The breast tissue usually contains a more typical ratio of fat to glandular tissue. This condition is very common and accounts for the majority of the cases of breast reduction surgery.
Macromastia diagnosis depends heavily on the degree of pain and functional limitation the patient experiences. Drs usually assume that reduction in macromastia cases will involve removal of about 300 to 1,000 grams of tissue per breast. In these cases, it is mostly about function and looks: reducing pain and getting a pretty, lifted shape that fits the body. Skin is usually good enough for the surgeon to use the standard techniques without the risk of losing the nipple.
Identifying Gigantomastia: The Extreme Outlier
Gigantomastia is a debate of hypertrophy without limits resulting in excessive, explosive growth. Unlike macromastia that may slowly develop as a result of puberty or weight gain, gigantomastia is characterized by an extreme proliferation of the glandular stroma. The clinical definition of gigantomastia involves the removal of more than 1,500 to 2,000 grams (1.5 to 2 kg) of tissue per breast. In a severe case, breasts may reach the level of the belly button or even further.
This condition is often associated with a definite hormonal factor. Juvenile gigantomastia occurs during puberty and is characterized by rapid breast growth within several months while gestational gigantomastia is associated with pregnancy. The physical limitations are severe and may lead to skeletal deformity, nerve tingling (paresthesia) of the arms, and chronic skin ulceration under the breast folds. This condition is so severe that the patient is physically incapacitated and requires hospital treatment to prevent irreversible orthopedic damage.
Pedicle vs. Graft: Surgical Procedures
Blood supply physiology significantly impacts surgical choices between the two conditions. A macromastia treatment will predominantly be done using the pedicle technique. In this procedure, the nipple and areola are left intact with a bridge of the underlying tissue (including blood vessels and nerves) while the rest of the skin and fat is removed. This tissue bridge is then moved upwards to the new nipple location. In most cases, nipple sensation and the ability to breastfeed are preserved.
Because of the large distance the nipple has to be moved, it is a different story when dealing with gigantomastia. If the nipple has to be raised 30 or 40 centimeters, blood vessels in the usual pedicle may become too thin resulting in the failure of the vessels. For this reason, surgeons at times do an FNG. Here, the nipple is completely separated from the body, thinned, and grafted onto the new breast mound as skin. This saves the nipple for a big reduction, but sensation and breastfeeding are lost forever.
The Risks and The Post-Operative Recovery
Recovery after breast reduction for macromastia is pretty uncontested. Most of the patients can be back to a desk job in 2 weeks and start exercising within 6 weeks. Problems arising are very minor and may be delayed wound healing or some numbness. Having a great skin elasticity, the latter is able to keep the new shape very well, and the risk of the breast tissue regrowing is pretty low given that your weight is stable.
Recovery after gigantomastia surgery is a very different story. Since a bigger area is treated, the chances of wound dehiscence (separation of the incision) and seroma (the accumulation of fluid) are increased. The nipple graft should be closely monitored if she is to survive. Additionally, as gigantomastia is likely to be hormonally driven, there exists a quite a bit of risk of recurrence (regrowth) if the underlying hormonal sensitivity is not controlled. This entails a thorough long-term care plan with the involvement of your surgeon and possibly an endocrinologist.
Breast Reduction in Turkey
Lin Europe Clinic is the right place for your breast reduction in Turkey because we have the special knowledge to solve all straightforward macromastia issues and intricate gigantomastia problems as well. Our surgeons in Istanbul give a lot of importance to the pre-operative work-up decision of whether a pedicle technique or a free nipple graft is best for your particular anatomy. We do not use a “one size fits all” approach; the surgery is adjusted to make safety and aesthetics equally successful.
In Istanbul, your stay is all about medical expertise and patient comfort. We offer private VIP transfers and luxury accommodation so that you have a stress-free place to recover from your procedure. Lin Europe Clinic is where we are committed to lifting the heavy burden of hypertrophy and letting you regain the liberty of movement and a good life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Macromastia and Gigantomastia
Macromastia simply describes large, symptomatic breasts. Gigantomastia, on the other hand, is a rare and extreme condition where breast weight alone can be more than 3% of the total body weight. The amount of tissue involved in gigantomastia is vastly higher than in macromastia, so surgical methods differ.
Yes, gigantomastia is a medical disorder that results in extreme physical pain, skeletal damage, and skin infections. Insurance companies usually categorize it as a medical condition that requires treatment rather than a cosmetic issue.
No. In the case of macromastia, the treatment is almost always a pedicle technique that maintains the nipple’s connection to its blood supply. Free nipple grafts are only used in very extreme gigantomastia cases.
Macromastia will generally not change very much unless there is a large increase in weight. On the other hand, gigantomastia can experience drastic growth due to hormonal changes. It is uncommon for stable macromastia to become gigantomastia suddenly without an underlying reason.
Typically, breast reduction for macromastia involves taking off 300 to 1,000 grams per breast. On the other hand, gigantomastia surgery entails removal of a minimum of 1,500 grams from either side and most times a lot more.
Dancey, A., et al. (2008). Gigantomastia: a classification and review of the literature. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery.
Dafydd, H., et al. (2011). Gigantomastia: a problem of definition? J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg.
Hall-Findlay, E. J. (2006). A simplified vertical reduction mammaplasty: shortening the learning curve. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
