Finding a lump in your breast or experiencing breast changes does not mean you have cancer. However, you need to see your physician right away to make sure. You may have a non-cancerous breast condition, which are common, treatable and not life-threatening.
Types of Benign (Non-Cancerous) Breast Disease
Fibrosis and cysts
Fibrosis is firmness in the breasts’ connective tissues and cysts are fluid-filled sacs. These conditions can cause lumps, thickening, or tenderness in the breast, as well as nipple discharge. Cysts can be detected by physical exam or mammogram, but cannot be accurately diagnosed by either method — ultrasound and/or biopsy are needed to determine whether the growth is a cyst or cancer.
Fibrosis and cysts are almost always harmless, but if discomfort is a problem your doctor may prescribe medicines to reduce symptoms.
Benign breast tumors
A breast lump may be a benign tumor — non-cancerous cells, which have grown abnormally. Benign tumors can cause pain, but are not dangerous. They will not spread to other parts of the body. However, a biopsy must be performed to determine whether the tumor is benign or cancerous. Certain kinds of benign tumors (intraductal papillomas and atypical hyperplasia) indicate a higher risk of developing cancer, so they may be surgically removed.
Sclerosing adenosis
These small breast lumps are caused by enlarged lobules and can be quite painful. Sclerosing adenosis can look like cancer on a mammogram, so a biopsy is often done to make an accurate diagnosis. This is a benign (non-cancerous) condition and usually does not require treatment.
Radial scars or sclerosing lesions
This is a fairly rare, usually benign condition that can be detected by mammogram. It is a star-shaped mass that can be caused by a previous surgery, inflammation or hormonal changes. Studies have not confirmed that women with radial scars have an increased risk of developing breast cancer.
Mastitis
Mastitis is an infection of the breast tissue and is most common in women who are breast-feeding. It causes pain and swelling of the breast, fever and fatigue. See your doctor promptly if you are experiencing symptoms — untreated mastitis can lead to a breast abscess, which will require surgical drainage.
The symptoms of benign breast disease are essentially the same as breast cancer symptoms: changes in size or shape of the breast, a lump you can feel, thickening of the skin, redness of the skin, or nipple discharge. Any of these symptoms requires a visit to your doctor, examination and tests. Only your physician can determine whether your symptoms signal a benign or cancerous condition.
Fibrosis usually does not require treatment, although there are therapies that can help reduce monthly tenderness.
Cysts that are large or painful can be treated with fine needle aspiration (removing the fluid through a very small hollow needle). Removing the liquid relieves the pressure and the pain.
Atypical hyperplasia can be a forerunner of cancer, so it is usually recommended that the areas of abnormal cells be surgically removed. Self-exams and regular follow-up exams by your physician are important.
Intraductal papillomas are removed surgically and tested to determine if any cancerous cells are present.
Sclerosing adenosis does not require treatment.
Radial scars can contain some malignant cells, so your doctor may advise surgical removal. Depending on the size of the mass, this may be done by surgical biopsy or lumpectomy. If tests show that the mass is free of cancer cells, then further treatment (radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy) is not necessary.
Mastitis can be treated with warm compresses to relieve pain and swelling. Your doctor also may prescribe an antibiotic and pain medication.
