Breast Lumps In Women (cont.)
Injuries that cause breast lumps
If a breast is injured by trauma, tiny blood vessels can rupture to cause an area of localized bleeding (hematoma that can be felt as a lump. Trauma to the breast can damage the fat cells in the breast tissue, a condition called fat necrosis. The injury can also form a lump in the breast. These types of lumps that follow a significant trauma are not cancerous.
Non-cancerous growths that cause breast lumps
- Fibroadenomas are benign (not cancerous) growths and are very common. These growths most commonly occur in women 30 to 35 years old. Fibroadenomas are solid, firm tumors that are usually painless or only slightly tender. They sometimes grow quickly in
teenagers or during
pregnancy.
- Breast cysts are fluid-filled, tiny sacs within the breast tissue and are benign. They are very common, especially over the age of 35. These cysts often vary in size during the menstrual cycle and may be tender.
- Fibrocystic changes are characterized by breasts that are lumpy with many irregularities in the breast that feel almost grainy.
Fibrocystic breasts seem to occur because a woman's breasts are extra sensitive to fluctuating hormone levels. Women with fibrocystic changes may have pain and/or lumps.
What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
The symptoms of breast cancer include painless breast
lumps, nipple discharge, and inflammation of the skin of the breast.
Breast cancer usually causes no pain in the
breast. Although women often worry about breast pain, most women with breast
pain do not have breast cancer. Only about 6% of women with breast cancer have
breast pain as their first sign of cancer.
Nipple discharge that occurs without the nipple being touched can be caused by benign (non-cancerous) growths. Examples of these growths are intraductal papillomas (non-cancerous growths that protrude into the milk ducts) and dilated areas of milk ducts (ductal ectasia). Nipple discharge can also be caused by cancer of the breast tissue. Because nipple discharge can be a sign of cancer, it needs to be evaluated by a doctor.
Skin changes on the breast, including redness and
warmth, can sometimes be a sign of breast cancer. A form of breast cancer that
commonly causes these signs of inflammation is Paget's disease of the breast.
Most inflammation or rashes on the breast are not due to cancer. They may be
caused by benign problems such as nipple eczema or a fungus infection. Still,
any breast rashes should be evaluated by a doctor. Areas that are especially
scaly and red, particularly if they are persistent, or if there is also nipple
discharge, are often sampled (biopsied) to rule out cancer.
Next: What determines breast cancer risk? »
- Breast Biopsy - Learn about the different types of breast biopsy procedures, which are used to remove suspicious breast growth and examined for the presence of cancer.
- Breast Cancer - Get the facts on breast cancer symptoms, signs, stages, types, research, risk factors, diagnosis, prevention information and treatment options: mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy.
- Ultrasound - Learn an ultrasound procedure, and conditions and diseases it assists in diagnosing and screening like tumors, cysts, heart conditions and more.
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