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Supernumerary nipple in Adult
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Supernumerary nipple in Adult

Contributors: Craig N. Burkhart MD, Dean Morrell MD, Belinda Tan MD, PhD, Susan Burgin MD, Mitchell Linder MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Supernumerary nipples (SNs) are common congenital malformations in which additional nipples or related tissue (see accessory breast tissue) occurs along the embryonic milk line. In humans, this line extends bilaterally from a point on the inner arm just beyond the axilla, down the chest, abdomen, and groin, ending on the proximal inner thigh area. Ectopic supernumerary nipples (5%) are found beyond this milk line.

These benign lesions occur in 1%-6% of the population worldwide, and 10% of cases are familial with an autosomal dominance inheritance pattern. Incidence has been reported as more common in males (7:1 male-to-female ratio). Most are single lesions below the regular nipple but may be multiple and bilateral.

SNs are often undetected at birth and are generally without symptoms. Some become more noticeable at adolescence, menstruation, or pregnancy when increased pigmentation, fluctuating swelling and tenderness, or lactation may be noted.

There are some studies that suggest an association between accessory breast tissue, including SNs, and renal anomalies. An increased incidence of ipsilateral Becker nevus has been noted. SNs are found in several multiple congenital anomaly syndromes, including Simpson-Golabi-Behmel (overgrowth, coarse face, embryonal tumors, and congenital cardiac, renal, and/or skeletal abnormalities), cleft lip or palate ectodermal dysplasia, and tricho-odonto-onychial dysplasia. Ectopic glandular breast tissue can develop any of the lesions of normal breast tissue, including malignancy.

Codes

ICD10CM:
Q83.3 – Accessory nipple

SNOMEDCT:
50956007 – Supernumerary nipple

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Last Reviewed:12/19/2021
Last Updated:12/20/2021
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Patient Information for Supernumerary nipple in Adult
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Contributors: Medical staff writer

Overview

Supernumerary nipple is a medical term to describe the presence of one or more "extra" nipples that might be present on a person's body. These are equally common in both males and females, and they are always benign (not life-threatening or cancerous).

Who’s At Risk

Anyone can be born with a supernumerary nipple. They do not usually develop later in life, though they may become more or less noticeable. Some doctors believe that supernumerary nipples tend to occur within families.

Signs & Symptoms

The supernumerary nipple is commonly noticed in infancy or childhood. It usually appears as a small tan or brown freckle or mole that is present somewhere on the abdomen, typically in a vertical line downward from the usual nipple. More rarely, the freckle or mole looks distinctly nipple-like, with a small dimple in the middle and a lighter surrounding area that resembles the areola (the pigmented area around the raised part of the nipple). Very rarely, there is some breast tissue present underneath the supernumerary nipple. Sometimes there is more than one supernumerary nipple; there can be one on each side or two or more extending in a vertical line down the abdomen on one side. Supernumerary nipples are not itchy or painful, nor do they have other symptoms associated with them.

Self-Care Guidelines

There is no need to attempt any home self-care for a supernumerary nipple.

When to Seek Medical Care

A person with a supernumerary nipple (or his/her parents) might chose to have it removed by a simple surgical procedure, which is really the only reason to seek medical care. In the case of a supernumerary nipple in a baby, it would make sense to wait until the baby has reached middle childhood to see if the nipple naturally becomes less obvious rather than seek surgical care in infancy.

Treatments

Your child's doctor will help you decide if the child needs to be referred to a dermatologist or a surgeon to discuss surgical removal of the supernumerary nipple.

References


Freedberg IM, Eisen, AZ, Wolff K, Austen KF, Goldsmith LA, Katz, SI, eds. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2003:786-788.

Weinberg S, Kristal L, Prose NS. Color Atlas of Pediatric Dermatology. 4th ed. McGraw-Hill; 2007.

Weston WL. Color Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology. 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Inc; 1996:349.
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Supernumerary nipple in Adult
A medical illustration showing key findings of Supernumerary nipple (Infant) : Abdomen, Brown color, Chest, Smooth papule
Clinical image of Supernumerary nipple - imageId=2247680. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'Brown papules superior and inferior to the nipple / areola complex.'
Brown papules superior and inferior to the nipple / areola complex.
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