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Breast lump
Breast mass
A breast lump is swelling, a growth, or a lump in the breast.
Breast lumps in both men and women raise concern for breast cancer , even though most lumps are not cancer.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer that starts in the tissues of the breast. There are 2 main types of breast cancer:Ductal carcinoma starts in the tubes (duct...
Considerations
Both males and females of all ages have normal breast tissue. This tissue responds to hormone changes. Because of this, lumps can come and go.
Breast lumps may appear at any age:
- Both male and female infants may have breast lumps from their mother's estrogen when they are born. The lump will most often go away on its own as the estrogen clears from the baby's body.
- Young girls often develop "breast buds," which appear just before the beginning of puberty. These bumps may be tender. They are common around age 9, but may happen as early as age 6.
- Teenage boys may develop breast enlargement and lumps because of hormone changes in mid-puberty. Although this may be upsetting to boys, the lumps or growth almost always go away on their own over a period of months.
Causes
Lumps in a woman are often caused by fibrocystic changes, fibroadenomas, and cysts.
Fibrocystic changes are painful, lumpy breasts. Fibrocystic breast changes do not increase your risk of breast cancer. Symptoms are most often worse right before your menstrual period, and then improve after your period starts.
Fibrocystic changes
Fibrocystic breast disease is a common way to describe painful, lumpy breasts.
Fibroadenomas are noncancerous lumps that feel rubbery. They move easily inside the breast tissue. Like fibrocystic changes, they occur most often during the reproductive years.They are most often not tender. Except in rare cases, they do not become cancerous later. A health care provider can feel during an exam whether a lump is a fibroadenoma. The only way to be sure, however, is to remove or biopsy the lump.
Fibroadenomas
Fibroadenoma of the breast is a benign tumor. Benign tumor means it is not caused by cancer.
Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that often feel like soft grapes. These can sometimes be tender, often just before your menstrual period.
Cysts
A cyst is a closed pocket or pouch of tissue. It can be filled with air, fluid, pus, or other material.
Other causes of breast lumps include:
- Breast cancer.
- Injury. Blood may collect and feel like a lump if your breast gets badly bruised. These lumps tend to get better on their own in a few days or weeks. If they do not improve, your provider may have to drain the blood.
- Lipoma. This is a collection of fatty tissue.
-
Milk cysts (sacs filled with milk) and infections (
mastitis
), which may turn into an
abscess
. These typically occur if you are breastfeeding or have recently given birth.
Mastitis
A breast infection is an infection in the tissue of the breast.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleAbscess
An abscess is a collection of pus in any part of the body. In most cases, the area around an abscess is swollen and inflamed.
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Home Care
See your provider if you have any new lumps or breast changes. Ask about your risk factors for breast cancer, and screening and prevention for breast cancer.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your provider if:
- The skin on your breast appears dimpled or wrinkled (like the peel of an orange).
- You find a new breast lump during your monthly self-exam.
- You have bruising on your breast, but did not experience any injury.
- You have nipple discharge, especially if it is bloody or pinkish (blood-tinged).
- Your nipple is inverted (turned inward) but normally is not inverted.
Also call if:
- You are a woman, age 20 or older, and want guidance on how to perform a breast self-exam.
- You are a woman over age 40 and have not had a mammogram in the past year.
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Your provider will get a complete history from you. You will be asked about your factors that may increase the risk of breast cancer . The provider will perform a thorough breast exam. If you don't know how to perform a breast self-exam, ask your provider to teach you the proper method.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer that starts in the tissues of the breast. There are 2 main types of breast cancer:Ductal carcinoma starts in the tubes (duct...
You may be asked medical history questions such as:
- When and how did you first notice the lump?
- Do you have other symptoms such as pain, nipple discharge, or fever?
- Where is the lump located?
- Do you do breast self-exams, and is this lump a recent change?
- Have you had any type of injury to your breast?
- Are you taking any hormones, medicines, or supplements?
Steps your provider may take next include:
-
Order a mammogram to look for cancer, or a
breast ultrasound
to see if the lump is solid or a cyst
Breast ultrasound
Breast ultrasound is a test that uses sound waves to examine the breasts.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Use a needle to draw fluid out of a cyst, which will be examined under a microscope to look for cancer cells
-
Order a
breast biopsy
Breast biopsy
A breast biopsy is the removal of breast tissue to examine it for signs of breast cancer or other disorders. There are several types of breast biopsi...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Study any nipple discharge under a microscope
How a breast lump is treated depends on the cause.
- Solid breast lumps are often removed with surgery.
- Cysts can be drained in the provider's office. If the fluid removed is clear or greenish, and the lump disappears after it is drained, you do not need further treatment. If the lump does not disappear or comes back, it is most often removed with surgery.
- Breast infections are treated with antibiotics.
-
If you are diagnosed with
breast cancer
, you will discuss your options carefully and thoroughly with your provider.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer that starts in the tissues of the breast. There are 2 main types of breast cancer:Ductal carcinoma starts in the tubes (duct...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article
References
Hunt KK, Green MC, Buchholz TA. Diseases of the breast. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, et al, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery . 19th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 36.
Jacobs L, Hardin R. Management of benign breast disease. In: Cameron JL, Cameron AM, eds. Current Surgical Therapy . 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:565-567.
Swartz MH. The breast. In: Swartz MH, ed. Textbook of Physical Diagnosis . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 13.
Wolff AC, Domchek SM, Davidson NE, et al. Cancer of the breast. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Doroshow JH, et al, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology . 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 91.
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Female Breast - illustration
The female breast is either of two mammary glands (organs of milk secretion) on the chest.
Female Breast
illustration
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Breast lumps - illustration
Less than one-fourth of all breast lumps are found to be cancerous, but benign breast disease can be difficult to distinguish from cancer. Consequently, all breast lumps should be checked by a health care professional.
Breast lumps
illustration
-
Fibrocystic breast disease - illustration
Fibrocystic breast disease is a common and benign change within the breast characterized by a dense irregular and bumpy consistency in the breast tissue. Mammography or biopsy may be needed to rule out other disorders.
Fibrocystic breast disease
illustration
-
Fibroadenoma - illustration
A fibroadenoma is a non-cancerous benign lump that is found in breast tissue. When felt under the skin, the lump may feel rubbery and easily moveable within the breast tissue. Fibroadenomas are commonly found in young women during their reproductive years.
Fibroadenoma
illustration
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Breast lump removal - series
Presentation
-
Causes of Breast Lumps - illustration
There are many possible causes for lumps in the breast. Most breast lumps are benign, as in fibroadenoma, a condition that affects mostly women under age 30. Breast abscesses are usually incidental to breastfeeding.
Causes of Breast Lumps
illustration
-
Female Breast - illustration
The female breast is either of two mammary glands (organs of milk secretion) on the chest.
Female Breast
illustration
-
Breast lumps - illustration
Less than one-fourth of all breast lumps are found to be cancerous, but benign breast disease can be difficult to distinguish from cancer. Consequently, all breast lumps should be checked by a health care professional.
Breast lumps
illustration
-
Fibrocystic breast disease - illustration
Fibrocystic breast disease is a common and benign change within the breast characterized by a dense irregular and bumpy consistency in the breast tissue. Mammography or biopsy may be needed to rule out other disorders.
Fibrocystic breast disease
illustration
-
Fibroadenoma - illustration
A fibroadenoma is a non-cancerous benign lump that is found in breast tissue. When felt under the skin, the lump may feel rubbery and easily moveable within the breast tissue. Fibroadenomas are commonly found in young women during their reproductive years.
Fibroadenoma
illustration
-
Breast lump removal - series
Presentation
-
Causes of Breast Lumps - illustration
There are many possible causes for lumps in the breast. Most breast lumps are benign, as in fibroadenoma, a condition that affects mostly women under age 30. Breast abscesses are usually incidental to breastfeeding.
Causes of Breast Lumps
illustration
Review Date: 10/2/2015
Reviewed By: Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, general surgery practice specializing in breast cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
