A YOUNG woman mysteriously began growing a breast on her vulva.
The 24-year-old Persian had ignored the painless growth for 12 years before deciding to visit the hospital.
GettyAccessory breasts affect up to 6 per cent of women and 3 per cent of men[/caption]
Writing in the Journal of Medical Case Reports Iranian medics said the mass on otherwise healthy woman’s labia “resembled a penis”.
After removing the growth, doctors sent samples for testing which revealed the mass was made up of breast tissue, suggesting the growth was an accessory breast.
Accessory breasts can develop anywhere along the milk line – which begins at the underarms, down the chest and abdomen, towards the groin.
Breasts can develop anywhere along these lines of tissue, but in humans, they usually only emerge around the chest area.
In very rare occasions, the breast tissue will also grow at other places on the milk line, such as on the groin.
In most cases, the condition, which affects up to 6 per cent of women and 3 per cent of men, shows itself as a rouge nipple.
“The presence of an accessory breast in the vulva is extremely rare,” the doctors wrote.
Breast cancer can sometimes occur in accessory breast tissue, particularly if the tissue is larger and more developed.
If you notice any symptoms, such as swelling and tenderness, or restriction in the range of arm motion, or are otherwise concerned, you should see your doctor, the NHS warns.
The NHS does offer surgery for accessory breast tissue, but it authorisation depends on where you live and a set of criteria.