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Breast lumps
By Mayo Clinic staffOriginal Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-lumps/MY00165
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Definition
A breast lump is a growth of tissue that develops within your breast. A breast lump is often interchangeably described as a mass, growth, swelling, thickness or fullness.
A breast lump can feel distinct and have definite borders, or it could be a thickened area in your breast that is slightly more prominent or different from the surrounding breast tissue and the other breast. You may notice other breast changes accompanying a breast lump, such as skin redness, distension, dimpling or pitting. You may also note breast asymmetry or nipple inversion or experience new symptoms of breast pain or spontaneous nipple discharge.
Sometimes, a breast lump is a sign of breast cancer. That's why you should seek prompt medical evaluation. Fortunately, however, most breast lumps result from noncancerous (benign) conditions.
Causes
A breast lump could develop as a result of:
- Breast cancer
- Breast cysts
- Fibroadenoma
- Fibrocystic breasts
- Hamartoma
- Injury or trauma to the breast
- Intraductal papilloma
- Lipoma
- Mastitis
- Milk cyst (galactocele)
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor to have a breast lump evaluated if:
- The breast lump is new or unusual and feels different from surrounding tissue in that breast or tissue in your other breast
- The breast lump doesn't go away or gets bigger after your next menstrual period
- You notice the breast lump has changed — getting bigger, firmer or more defined from surrounding breast tissue
- You have bloody, possibly spontaneous, discharge from your nipple
- You notice skin changes on your breast, such as redness, crusting, dimpling or puckering
- Your nipple is turned inward (inverted), although it isn't normally positioned that way
- Non-cancerous breast conditions. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6X_Non_Cancerous_Breast_Conditions_59.asp. Accessed April 5, 2010.
- Meisner ALW, et al. Breast disease: Benign and malignant. The Medical Clinics of North America. 2008;92:1115.
- LeBlond RF, et al. The chest: Chest wall, pulmonary, and cardiovascular systems; The breasts. In: LeBlond RF, et al. DeGowin's Diagnostic Examination. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.; McGraw-Hill Medical; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3661355. Accessed April 5, 2010.
- Shaughnessy EA, et al. Breast signs and symptoms: Breast mass. In: Adams Hillard PJ. The 5-Minute Obstetrics & Gynecology Consult. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:20.
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