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What is breast lump?
A breast lump is abnormal growth of tissue which develops within women’s breast.
Most of the time it is noncancerous in nature. These lumps are smooth edged and
move slightly when you push them.[1]
Symptoms of Breast lumps:
- You may feel a distinct mass of flesh (tissue) within your breast
- You can palpate firm and stiff structure within a border
- Breast skin changes
- Abnormal growth of either of breasts
- Continuous breast pain which get enhanced in the time of menstruation[1]
Causes of breast lumps:
Changes in breast tissue
Breast infections like Mastitis
Injury
Breast cancer
Breast cyst
Fibroadenoma
Fibrocystic breasts
Lipoma
Intraductal papilloma
Milk cyst i.e, galactocele[1]
Types of Breast Lumps:
Mainly it is of two types.
Non cancerous - most of the lumps are noncancerous(benign) in
nature. It doesn’t harm the patient. And it gets cured with medicines.
Cancerous - it is found in rare cases. It accounts for 20% of
cases. It is cancerous (malignant) in nature. And it doesn’t get cured with only
medicines , it requires surgical intervention.[2]
When to go for check ups:
- When you feel a firm or fixed lump within your breast
- When lump is existing more than one month or so
- When you can notice skin changes of breasts like crusting, dimpling, puckering
- You may observe bloody discharge from your nipple
- You may find your nipple is getting inverted
- Lumps may spread towards armpits [1]
Diagnostic Procedures
Before coming into the conclusion that you have breast lumps, your doctor may
advise you to go for these diagnostic procedures -
Mammogram - basically it is the X-Ray of the breast tissues to
find if there is any abnormality. If you have your previous mammogram report
with you then you can show that to your doctor because it would be helpful for
them to analyse the past report with present for better accuracy.
USG - it is also very helpful to investigate the disease.
MRI - this gives a clearer picture of breast tissues and helps
to identify any deviation from the normal condition of the breast.
Fine needle aspiration - the fluid from the breast lump is
collected with the help of a needle and if it is found to be cloudy or bloody in
texture then it is used for further investigation.
Biopsy - Biopsy is basically taking a tissue sample of any
organ if it is suspected to be cancerous. For breast, different types of biopsy
can be performed such as
- Fine-needle aspiration biopsy—a tissue sample is collected during a
fine-needle aspiration
- Core needle biopsy— this procedure involves larger needles to get a tissue
sample. An additional USG is accompanied with this procedure to get more clarity
for the diagnosis.
- Vacuum-assisted biopsy—a probe with a vacuum is inserted into a small incision
in the skin and a tissue sample is removed using an ultrasound for guidance
- Stereotactic biopsy—a mammogram takes images from different angles and a
tissue sample is taken with a needle
- Surgical biopsy (excisional biopsy)—this procedure involves complete removal
of the lumps along with the surrounding tissues.
- Surgical biopsy (incisional biopsy)—this procedure involves only removal of
the lump part.[3]
Treatments:
If lumps form due to infection or cysts then through medicines or some
procedures can help to intervene it. Otherwise it may require surgical
correction to fix the problem. Depending upon the spread and condition of the
lump surgeons takes decision.
Lumpectomy - this is a surgical intervention which involves
removal of the lump particularly.
Mastectomy - this surgical procedure involves removal of the
whole breast.
Chemotherapy - this procedure uses drugs to stop or control the
growth of the cancer.
Radiation - this procedure uses radioactive rays or materials
to remove the lumps if it is found to be cancerous. [3]
References
Mayoclinic.org, “https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/breast-lumps/basics/definition/sym-20050619">Breast
lumps</a>” , Mayoclinic.org , 12th October, 2018
Webmd, "https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/benign-breast-lumps">Breast
Lumps: Causes and When to Call a Doctor</a>” , Webmd , 2nd February, 2019
Healthline, “https://www.healthline.com/health/breast-lump#1">Breast Lumps</a>”,
Healthline, 16th march,2018
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