Axillary breast: our limited experience of surgical excision

Axillary breast is a congenital anomaly of breast development that is often overlooked in surgical literature. It is commonly located in the axilla and can be misdiagnosed, especially if unilateral. It may present with or without pain and limitation of arm movement. We present three cases of painless axillary swellings. The first patient had a slowly growing swelling, the second experienced size changes related to hormones, and the third noticed a change during lactation. All had mobile, non-tender soft masses consistent with axillary breasts. The first two underwent surgical excision without complications, while the third opted for fine needle aspiration. Histopathological examination confirmed the presence of accessory breast tissues in all cases. This case series highlights the diagnostic challenges and management options for axillary breast, rare condition with similar pathological risks as normally positioned breast. Treatment options include non-operative care, liposuction or excision biopsy, with positive outcomes.