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Gigantomastia induced by bucillamine.
Yoko Sakai1, Shingo Wakamatsu, Koji Ono
1Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Daini Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Annals of Plastic Surgery
|August 21, 2002
Summary
This study details the first reported case of giant mammary hyperplasia caused by bucillamine, an antirheumatic drug. The condition led to significant breast enlargement, necessitating a large breast reduction surgery.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Drug-induced mammary hyperplasia is a rare complication associated with certain medications.
- Bucillamine, an antirheumatic drug, is structurally similar to D-penicillamine, a known cause of mammary hyperplasia.
Observation:
- A 25-year-old female patient with rheumatoid arthritis presented with gradual, significant breast enlargement over 15 months.
- The patient had a history of combined steroid and lobenzarit disodium therapy, followed by steroid and bucillamine therapy.
- Steroid therapy was suspended 10 months prior to presentation due to pulmonary tuberculosis.
Findings:
- The case presents the first documented instance of bucillamine-induced giant mammary hyperplasia.
- Surgical intervention resulted in the excision of 5 kg of right breast tissue and 7 kg of left breast tissue.
- Bucillamine is identified as the likely causative agent due to its structural analogy to D-penicillamine.
Implications:
- This finding expands the known spectrum of drug-induced mammary hyperplasia.
- Clinicians should consider bucillamine as a potential cause of breast hypertrophy in patients on this medication.
- Further research may be warranted to elucidate the mechanism of bucillamine-induced mammary hyperplasia.