Symptoms of Concern
Not every lump in the breast is malignant, in fact, most are benign. Breast lumps may prove to be cysts or fibrous tumors caused by hormones, age or other factors. Even tumors that are not cancerous must sometimes be removed, due to size or position in the breast or just to be sure they dont harbor malignancy.
Common types of non-cancerous breast problems include cysts, lumps and thickening, breast pain, discharge from the nipple, and breast infection.
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
The indications below do not necessarily mean that you have breast cancer, but any of them should lead you to be examined.
- You feel a lump in your breast
- Thickening, dimpling or pitting/indentation (retraction) of the skin of the breast
- Nipple discharge that is either clear yellow or bloody
- Newly retracted nipples or inversion
- Asymmetric appearance of the breast
- Redness of the breast
- Change in the appearance of the breast and/or nipple
Non-Cancerous Breast Problems
Lumps and Thickenings
If you are still having periods (menstrual cycles) and you have had lumps that come and go with your period, wait one cycle. If the lump is still present after one cycle, call your doctor. If you find a breast lump or thickening and you do not have periods, call your doctor to be examined.
How is this Problem Treated?
First, your doctor will perform an examination of both breasts. The result of this exam may assure your doctor that the problem does not need further testing. Should more testing be necessary, you may need diagnostic tests such as a mammography, ultrasonography, needle aspiration studies (cytology) or biopsies (histology).
If a biopsy is necessary, it may be performed in may ways; office core or fine needle aspiration biopsy, sterotactic biopsy, ultrasound-guided biopsy, or excisional biopsy in the operating room under local anesthesia with, or without sedation, or general anesthesia usually as an outpatient can be performed.
Breast Infections
Breast infections are relatively uncommon. Pain is usually generalized (the whole breast hurts or throbs) or localized (the breast hurts in one area). Generalized breast pain or "mastitis" may be associated with breast-feeding, pregnancy, or cancer treatment.
Localized breast infection may be associated with an abscess, cellulitis (a non-contagious infection of the connective tissue beneath the skin), folliculitis (contagious inflammation or infection of one or more hair follicles of the skin), or other skin or soft tissue lesions. Breast infections, like other infections, can become serious and create fever or systemic illness. It is very important that a breast infection be evaluated and treated in a timely fashion.
How is this Problem Treated?
Breast infections often require treatment with antibiotics. Additional measures, such as heat, pain relievers, and surgical incision and drainage may also be required.
Nipple Discharge
Nipple discharge can be associated with hormonal or normal aging changes (ductal ectasia). Nipple discharge that occurs rarely and in tiny drops, or which occurs during breast self-examination or other breast manipulation, is common. However, when nipple discharge occurs on its own or you notice staining of your bra or nightclothes, you should consult a physician. If you notice bloody discharge, spontaneous clear or yellow discharge, or persistent one-sided discharge, please consult your doctor. Discharge that is slightly milky and is coming from both breasts could be the result of pregnancy. All nipple discharge findings should be evaluated.
How is this Problem Treated?
Complaints of nipple discharge should be evaluated by a clinical breast exam and appropriate screening studies.
If nipple discharge is found on examination, the physician will try to localize the area from which the nipple discharge originates, and determine whether there is blood in the fluid, and consider cytology and/or bacteriology smears of the fluid.
Breast Pain
Breast pain may occur at almost any age and may be caused by a number of things. The pain may be one-sided or bilateral, constant, or intermittent, frequent or occasional. Sharp, dull, aching and/or sticking sensations are all examples.
Some common reasons for breast pain are hormonal changes associated with menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause, and/or menopause, muscular straining of the chest wall, upper back, and shoulder muscles.
How is this Problem Treated?
A thorough examination of the breasts, lymph nodes, and muscles of the chest and shoulders by a diagnostic test such as a mammography, sonography, or needle aspiration of cysts may be considered.
Other considerations that may be discussed include the amount of caffeine intake, medications, hormones, diuretics, birth control, the type of support bra and your daily activities.
