Breast lumps are common, especially in women ages
30 to 50. A number of conditions can result in a lump or lumps in your
breast. Most of these conditions are harmless or of minor concern. More
than half of all women experience fibrocystic changes — lumpy,
thickened tender areas in the breasts — as they get older. Multiplying
cells within breast glands and overgrowth of fibrous tissue (fibrosis)
in the breasts' supporting tissue cause fibrocystic changes. Large or
small cysts can result when such overgrowth blocks ducts and prevents
secretions from draining. Breast cancer can be located near the
surface, or deeper inside the breast, close to the chest wall. It can
also occur in the armpit area, where there is more breast tissue.
There are no muscles in the breasts, but muscles lie under each breast
and cover the ribs. These normal structures inside the breasts can
sometimes make them feel lumpy. Such lumpiness may be especially
noticeable in women who are thin or who have small breasts. The female
breast is a complex gland that is made up of several different types of
tissue.
Symptoms of Breast lumps
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.
Changes in body weight, or natural changes that come with age may
affect the size or shape of the nipples. However, if a nipple retracts
(pulls in) and does not easily return to its normal shape, see your
doctor or a nurse practitioner for a manual exam. If there is a problem
with the milk ducts which are just below the surface of the nipple and
areola, then having a diagnostic mammogram or ultrasound can help
diagnose the trouble.
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A number of conditions other than breast cancer can cause your breasts
to change in size or feel. Breast tissue changes naturally during
pregnancy and your menstrual cycle. Other possible causes of
noncancerous (benign) breast changes include fibrocystic changes,
cysts, fibroadenomas, infection or injury.
Causes of Breast lumps
Many possible causes exist for pain or tenderness in one of your
breasts or in both breasts. Most often the pain can be attributed to
harmless causes such as puberty or pregnancy. It can also be a
recurrent problem for women with cyclical pain associated with the
menstrual cycle. Although cancer is a major concern for most women, it
is rarely the cause of isolated breast pain.
Fibroadenomas are non-cancerous lumps that feel rubbery and are easily
moveable within the breast tissue. Like fibrocystic changes, they occur
most often during the reproductive years. Usually, they are not tender
and, except in rare cases, do not become cancerous later. A doctor may
feel fairly certain from an exam that a particular lump is a
fibroadenoma. The only way to be sure, however, is to remove or biopsy
them.
Infections can either be a deep pocket of pus, in which the infection
looks like it is growing down into the breast (an abscess), or a wider
area of skin redness that spreads out (cellulitis). Body piercing in
the nipple area increases the risk of breast infections that may be
particularly difficult to treat.
Article Source:
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