When breast growth becomes a health burden

For some women, the natural process of breast development spirals into a painful, life-changing burden.

Their breasts enlarge so rapidly and excessively that each can weigh several kilogrammes, making ordinary tasks like walking upright, sleeping comfortably or finding clothes that fit almost impossible. Many suffer in silence, cowering under layers of fabric and battling shame from society’s gaze.

Yet behind this struggle lies a recognised medical condition known as gigantomastia.

“Gigantomastia is a rare condition characterised by excessive, uncontrolled breast enlargement. Its exact cause is not fully understood, but it is thought to be linked to abnormal hormonal sensitivity, particularly to oestrogen and progesterone,” says Andrew Were, a plastic surgeon at Refine Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery Centre and at the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), 

This heightened sensitivity explains why the condition often appears during periods of hormonal upheaval such as puberty and pregnancy. Other risk factors include certain medications like penicillamine or cyclosporine, as well as family history.

“The condition is largely unpredictable, though family history and specific medications can raise the odds,” Dr Were explains.

The symptoms go beyond mere size. One of the earliest signs is unusually rapid breast enlargement, often within weeks or months. This is commonly accompanied by pain, skin stretching, back, neck, and shoulder strain, and difficulty in movement.

Postural changes and spinal issues such as curvature of the spine may develop over time.

The constant friction and weight can cause skin rashes or infections beneath the breasts, and in severe cases, open wounds or tissue death. Beyond the physical, women often endure deep psychological distress, including embarrassment, low self-esteem, depression and social withdrawal.

Gigantomastia remains extremely rare. Globally, only a few hundred cases have been documented in medical literature.

Gestational gigantomastia, which occurs during pregnancy, is estimated to affect between 1 in 28,000 and 1 in 100,000 pregnancies, according to the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

A systematic review by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information, which analysed reports from 1962 to 2022, identified just 66 documented cases of gestational gigantomastia.

In Africa, the picture is even less clear. According to the Nigerian Journal of Medicine, fewer than ten cases have been described across the continent. This low figure is believed to reflect stigma, poor access to healthcare, and limited reporting rather than the true scale of the problem.

Local clinical experience suggests that some women in Kenya may be living with undiagnosed or untreated gigantomastia, particularly during pregnancy, only seeking care once the condition becomes debilitating. This suggests the condition may be more present in the region than the sparse statistics indicate.

Treatment depends on severity. Conservative management may involve medication such as tamoxifen, which works by blocking hormone receptors, or bromocriptine in pregnancy to reduce hormonal stimulation. However, results are inconsistent and usually temporary. As the National Library of Medicine reports, medication often provides incomplete relief.

“The mainstay of treatment is reduction mammoplasty or, in severe or recurrent cases, mastectomy with reconstruction,” says Dr Were. Surgery is frequently the only lasting option to relieve pain, restore mobility and improve quality of life.

Yet recurrence after surgery remains a concern.

According to Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open, rates of regrowth range from zero to 52.9 per cent depending on patient age and underlying triggers. A systematic review of adolescent patients found that 18 per cent experienced regrowth, and about 2.7 per cent required another reduction.

In pregnancy-related cases, recurrence after reduction can reach 100 per cent during subsequent pregnancies, which is why some surgeons recommend mastectomy as a more definitive solution.

In uncommon instances, the condition has been linked to an underlying tissue change called pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH).

Gigantomastia, though rare, is a condition with far-reaching consequences.

It is not merely a cosmetic concern but a serious medical and psychological burden. Awareness and early access to care can make a transformative difference.