Photos: This woman has breasts so big (36NNN) that they hang down to her hips

Kerisha Mark, from Beaumont, Texas, feared a sharp pain surging across her chest, an ache creeping up her neck, causing a debilitating migraine were the symptoms of a heart attack or brain tumour.

But the then 39-year-old was not at risk of either life-threatening conditions.

Instead doctors told her the pain was the result of her breasts and a rare condition, gigantomastia.

Ms Mark had always had an exceptionally large chest. 

But by her late 30s, her bust had grown to a staggering 36NNN.

The rapid growth was the result of the hormonal condition.

Gigantomastia is diagnosed when breast weight exceeds three per cent of a person's body weight.

The enlargement can cause muscle pain, and over-stretching of the skin envelope, which can lead to ulceration.

The condition usually affects one breast more than the other, causing asymmetry.

Dr Franklin Rose, a plastic surgeon based in Houston, performed the operation. 

He told The Post he could not remember seeing a patient with larger breasts in his 35-year career. 

He said: 'The breasts really hung down to her hips and were essentially like carrying around three basketballs at all times because they were so large.