Breast Lump: Types, Features And Causes

Do you think you have a breast lump? And have you ever wondered why they are occurring or why are they there? Even if it’s easier said than done: don’t panic! Most likely it is a benign condition.

Breast cancer is one of the diseases that women of all ages fear most. So it’s no wonder that they worry when they feel a lump in their breasts. Although most are benign, why do they occur? Read on to find out.

First of all, we should be aware that breasts are made up of different types of tissue: glandular, adipose and connective tissue. Thus, the presence of certain lumps and masses of tissue in a breast is normal.

What exactly are breast lumps?

They are one of the most common reasons women schedule a gynecological consultation because the mere thought of a knot creates fear and concern in them. A breast lump is a deep lesion that is different in texture from the surrounding tissue and varies in diameter.

In addition, a lump does not change during the menstrual cycle and usually leads to asymmetry with respect to the contralateral breast. It can be painful at times and can also lead to secretion from the nipple.

Many people associate lumps and masses of tissue with breast cancer. This is somewhat unfounded as various studies have shown that the lumps are benign over 80% of the time. In fact, many of them can be due to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle or breastfeeding.

There are different types of breast lumps

Currently, many diseases can manifest as either benign or malignant breast lumps.

Benign lumps

They are not a sign that a woman has cancer; the edges of the knot feel defined, soft, and painful, and there are few changes in the skin.

The most common causes of benign lumps include:

• Hormonal changes during menstruation
• Abscesses on the chest
• Fibroadenomas
• Breast cysts
• Intraductal lipomas and papillomas
• Ductal ectasia

Malicious knots

In most cases, the lumps are benign before turning into cancer. They are hard to the touch, have irregular edges, and are immobile, non-painful, and change the skin or nipple.

This type of lump is more common in women around the age of 40. A doctor will need to do several complementary tests to make the correct diagnosis. These may include a breast ultrasound, mammogram, or biopsy.

Possible causes of breast lumps

We’ve already mentioned some of the conditions that can lead to lumps or masses of tissue in the breast. However, we would like to take a closer look at three of the most common causes. Note that all three require a medical approach.

1. Breast abscess

This condition is common in young women who are either pregnant or breastfeeding. Breast abscesses manifest as painfully inflamed masses. As a result, the area may be red, enlarged, and warm on contact with the skin.

They are the result of a bacterial infection and usually start as mastitis. Mastitis can promote a superinfection, in which purulent fluid builds up if left untreated, causing an abscess.

Treating this condition is no different from treating an abscess in any other part of the body. In this regard, the liquid it contains can be drained off, depending on its size. Breast abscesses are quite painful, but with the right treatment they can go away in a few weeks.

2. Breast cysts

Cysts are the most common cause of breast lumps. In fact, estimates suggest that 90% of women will suffer from it at some point in their life. This type of deformity is common in young people between the ages of 20 and 40. They can be due to hormonal changes, but the cause is not yet fully understood.

These fluid pools, contained in a soft consistency capsule of mobile, variable size, can become bilateral. Unlike breast abscesses, the fluid is rarely infected, so there is no inflammation.

However, some breast cysts can be painful and cause mastalgia during menstruation. There are no studies linking this change to a risk of breast cancer, but it is highly recommended that you have appropriate preventive medical examinations.

There is currently no specific treatment for this condition. Your doctor may recommend that you have it emptied if it is causing a lot of discomfort or is of considerable size. However, there is a risk of the condition returning.

3. Fibroadenoma

This is a benign lump that forms when the mammary gland grows irregularly. A fibroadenoma is often mistaken for a malignant lump because it is hard, painless, flexible, and can continue to grow over time.

There are three types of fibroadenomas: simple, complex, and huge.

• The first are tumors that are smaller than 5 centimeters and where all the cells that make them up have similar characteristics. That is, there is no risk of malignancy.
• Similarly, complex fibroadenomas exhibit some degree of cellular atypia. That is, the cells begin to differ from one to another. According to the American Cancer Society, the risk of developing carcinoma from a fibroadenoma does not increase significantly.
• After all, giant fibroadenomas are those that exceed two inches in diameter. In most cases, they will go away over time. However, you should regularly monitor them yourself to see any changes in their size or shape.

In extreme cases, surgical extraction may be required, especially if the lump is beginning to disturb or is too large. However, like breast cysts, they can reappear.

Final recommendations

As you can see, a breast lump is not synonymous with cancer as it is most likely benign. However, you should always consult your doctor so that they can perform appropriate tests and make an accurate diagnosis.

In addition, all women should do a breast self-exam at least once a month. This is because it is the only way to become familiar with the anatomy of your breasts and thus identify possible abnormalities.