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Breast Lump |
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The
breast
The female breast is a complex gland that is made up of several
different types of tissue. Each breast contains milk glands
and milk ducts for transporting milk. These structures can increase
or decrease in both size and number as and when they are needed.
For example, during pregnancy, the milk ducts in the breasts
will grow and the breasts will get larger. During breastfeeding,
the breasts may change size several times throughout the day
as milk is produced and the baby feeds.
The breast is made up of fibrous connective tissue, fatty tissue,
nerves, blood vessels and lymph nodes (small oval-shaped glands
that remove unwanted bacteria and particles from the body)
How common are breast lumps?
Breast lumps are quite common. About 3 in every 100 women visit
their doctor regarding a problem with their breasts.
Most breast lumps, about 9 out of 10, are benign (non-cancerous).There
are several types of benign breast lump. They can vary in appearance
or texture depending on the type. Most breast lumps are caused
by hormonal changes that occur at different times in a woman’s
life, such as during the menstrual cycle when a woman gets her
monthly period.
Diagnosing a breast lump
It is important to be aware of how your breasts usually look
and feel so you can quickly pick up on any changes that may
occur. See your doctor if you notice a lump in your breast or
any change in its appearance, feel or shape.
For further information please see breast
screening.
Types of breast lumps
Common types of benign breast lumps include:
- Fibroadenosis
- Fibroadenoma
- Breast Cysts
- Breast Abscesses
These types of breast lumps and their symptoms are explained
below.
Fibroadenosis
Fibrocystic breast disease, also known as fibroadenosis, is
a term used to describe a group of benign (non-cancerous)
conditions that affect the breast. The symptoms of fibroadenosis
include:
• breast pain (mastalgia)
• breast enlargement
• lumpiness of the breast (nodularity), particularly
just before or during a period
Fibroadenosis can develop in one or both breasts, or can affect
just part of one breast. The symptoms can also vary significantly
between women, with some women finding them slightly annoying
and others finding them very painful. The pain and lumpiness
will usually disappear after your period. The cause of fibroadenosis
is not well understood. However, it may be the result of the
breast tissue responding abnormally to hormonal changes that
occur with the menstrual cycle.
Fibroadenoma
A fibroadenoma is a smooth, well-rounded solid lump (tumour)
that sometimes develops outside the milk ducts. Milk ducts
are the tiny tubes in the breast that carry milk. Fibroadenomas
are made up of fibrous and glandular tissue, which has a rubber-like
texture and moves easily when touched. It is also known as
a “breast mouse”. A fibroadenoma will sometimes
disappear, but it can remain and grow larger, particularly
during pregnancy.
Breast cyst
A breast cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops within the
breast tissue and may feel like a soft grape. Breast cysts
are very common and normal. Cysts form as a natural part of
the ageing of breast tissue and are most commonly found in
women aged 35-50. Cysts vary in size. Some can be very tiny,
while others can grow up to several centimetres in diameter.
Single or multiple cysts can occur in one or both breasts.
Cysts often do not cause any symptoms, although some women
may experience pain, particularly if the cyst increases in
size during the menstrual cycle. They do not significantly
increase the risk of breast cancer developing.
Breast abscesses
A breast abscess is a painful collection of pus that forms
under the skin of the breast. It can also cause a high temperature
(fever) of 38°C (100.4°F) or above inflammation (redness
and swelling). An abscess can also develop in a female even
if she is not lactating.
Is a breast lump serious?
While you should always see your doctor about any changes to
your breasts, benign (non-cancerous) breast lumps:
- should not increase your risk of developing breast cancer
in the future
- will not turn into breast cancer
Hormones
Hormonal changes are the most common cause of benign breast
lumps. Hormones are chemicals that are produced by the body
and have a wide range of effects. Sometimes changes in the levels
of hormones in your body can cause your breasts to feel lumpy
or swollen.
Hormonal changes can occur:
- in teenagers
- during the monthly menstrual cycle
- during the menopause, which is when a woman's periods
stop
- if you take the oral contraceptive pill, (which contains
artificial versions of female hormones)
- if you take Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT; treatment
that is used to replace the female hormones that a woman's
body is no longer producing because of the menopause)
Treating
a breast lump
In most cases, a benign (non-cancerous) breast lump
does not need any treatment unless the lump is particularly
large or painful. After diagnosing the cause, your doctor will
advise you about any treatment that is necessary. If treatment
is not necessary, you may be asked to return if you notice any
further changes to your breasts.
Most breast lumps cannot be prevented because they are caused
by hormonal changes that you have no control over. However,
it is very important that you identify a breast lump as soon
as it develops and get it checked by your doctor to rule our
breast cancer. Surgical
treatment
Most of the time, if the lump is more than 2 cms in size, the
doctor will advise the excision of the lump. It is a short procedure
lasting about 30 minutes which is performed under general anesthesia.
Usually the incision is taken in a cosmetic fashion in the around
the areola and the lump is removed. This lump is then sent for
histopathological check up which is mandatory for all cases.
If the patient has a cyst, usually the symptomatically painful
cyst is aspirated in the outpatient and the fluid which is collected
is sent for cytological examination. If there is rapid reaccumulation
of fluid in the cyst on follow up or the patient had severe
discomfort then the cyst is removed surgically and evaluated
further.
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P.O.Box: 49147, Tel: +971-55-9546068, Mobile: +971 55 6550869, Fax: +971-4-4503874 | E-mail :info@surgery.ae
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