Recurrent macromastia after subcutaneous mastectomy

Management of sudden unrelenting breast growth in a young woman included use of antiestrogen hormone therapy and subcutaneous mastectomy. Later, massive breast growth again occurred during pregnancy, requiring a repeat postpartum subcutaneous mastectomy. The dramatic response to a specific antiestrogen agent and the subsequent massive regrowth of breast tissue after subcutaneous mastectomy suggests that breast tissue is extremely sensitive to circulating hormones in certain patients with macromastia. The unusual nature of this patient's recurrent macromastia warrants this review of reports of similarly affected patients and discussion of general concepts in the medical and surgical management of the disorder.