What Are the Different Types of Breast Lumps?

Breast lumps are a common sign of breast disease. Women's breasts are uneven, and many women find that the lumps are just areas of normal breast protrusion. Before the menstrual cramps, these lumps will become more obvious and easier to reach.

Basic Information

English name

breast lump

Visiting department

Breast surgery

Common locations

breast

Common causes

Endocrine disorders, mood, induced abortion, irrational diet, etc.

Common symptoms

Nodules of varying sizes and boundaries can be pushed

Common diseases and symptoms of breast lump

The vast majority of breast masses found clinically are benign lesions, such as breast adenopathy, breast fibroadenoma, breast cyst, intraductal papilloma, ductal dilatation of breast, and breast tuberculosis. Breast adenopathy is also known as breast hyperplasia. In view of the characteristics of the mass, breast adenopathy often finds multiple nodules of different sizes and unclear boundaries on both sides of the breast at the same time or successively, which can be promoted. Breast fibroadenomas are mostly single, with a clear state of touch, neat edges, smooth surfaces, and mobility. Breast cysts are swollen leaflets that form when the breast tissue ages. The mass is smooth and mobile. Intraductal papilloma of the breast usually touches a round soft mass under the areola or the edge of the areola. The diameter is generally 0.3 to 1 cm, and most of them are accompanied by nipple discharge. Breast duct dilatation, also known as plasma cell mastitis, is usually the first symptom of a lump, with irregular edges and a smooth surface, mostly in the areola, and the size is usually within 3 cm. At the beginning of breast tuberculosis, most of them are solitary nodules, gradually forming one to several masses, the border is not very clear, and it is easy to adhere to the skin. Only a few breast tumors are cancerous. Most breast cancer tumors are single nodules with irregular edges, most of which are hard and often adhere to the skin.

Breast Lump Diagnosis

A breast mass is relatively easy to diagnose. Combining a mammogram (molybdenum target photography) and a color Doppler ultrasound, if necessary, a puncture or surgical biopsy is performed for cytological or histological diagnosis.

In recent years, due to the improvement of diagnostic equipment and the improvement of technology, the proportion of breast cancer that can not touch the mass has been increasing. Breast X-ray examination can find tiny calcifications in the breast, that is, fine sand-like calcifications or needle-point calcifications. The majority are benign, of which 1/5 to 1/4 are cancers. Currently, a stereotactic biopsy can be used to confirm the diagnosis. Some breast cancers that do not have a lump are the first symptom of nipple discharge, which can be diagnosed through cytological smears or mammoscopy. Paget's disease of the breast, also known as eczema-like breast cancer, is clinically similar to chronic eczema. The nipples are locally itchy or accompanied by burning pain. The nipples, areola, redness, erosion, ulceration, scabbing, scaling, and even nipple retraction , Often accompanied by nipple discharge. Early diagnosis should be distinguished from chronic eczema and contact dermatitis, and the diagnosis should be based on the histopathological examination of the lesion. Most inflammatory breast cancers are also clinically incapable of touching the lump, and the breast is diffusely hardened and enlarged. The local skin is red, swollen, hot, painful, and resembles acute inflammation. The difference is that there are no systemic symptoms such as cold and fever, and the white blood cell count is often In the normal range, it should be distinguished from acute mastitis. Another type of breast cancer that cannot detect the mass is occult breast cancer. The primary lesions in this breast are often very small, only 1-2 millimeters. It is difficult to find the clinical examination, but the axillary lymph node metastasis is the first. Symptoms, breast X-ray examination can help to find the primary tumor.

In summary, very few people who can't feel a lump in the breast are not likely to develop breast cancer, and most people who can't feel a lump in the breast can not be breast cancer.