BACKGROUND: Tuberous breasts are widely known and described. Several surgical strategies have been proposed; however, few studies explain the origin or structural alterations of this deformity. No histological studies have been performed. The present article describes a morphological and histological study of breast tissue specimens. METHODS: Mammary specimens of 22 female and five male patients with tuberous breasts were histologically analyzed and compared with six specimens harvested from normal female breasts and from three cases of true 'normal' gynecomastia. RESULTS: A high prevalence of one histological subtype was observed, with the presence of collagen fibres among few fibroblasts. Histochemical analysis highlighted alterations of the arrangement and of the quantity of collagen involving breast structures. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present study suggest that collagen deposition alterations can better explain breast parenchyma modifications. Histological features of male subjects support this theory. Additionally, the observation of two cases in male homozygous twins suggests the role of genetic influences.
BACKGROUND:Tuberous breasts are widely known and described. Several surgical strategies have been proposed; however, few studies explain the origin or structural alterations of this deformity. No histological studies have been performed. The present article describes a morphological and histological study of breast tissue specimens. METHODS: Mammary specimens of 22 female and five male patients with tuberous breasts were histologically analyzed and compared with six specimens harvested from normal female breasts and from three cases of true 'normal' gynecomastia. RESULTS: A high prevalence of one histological subtype was observed, with the presence of collagen fibres among few fibroblasts. Histochemical analysis highlighted alterations of the arrangement and of the quantity of collagen involving breast structures. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present study suggest that collagen deposition alterations can better explain breast parenchyma modifications. Histological features of male subjects support this theory. Additionally, the observation of two cases in male homozygous twins suggests the role of genetic influences.
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Keywords:
Breast; Breast diseases; Gynecomastia; Histocytochemistry