Breast lump: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
| Line 23: | Line 23: | ||
===Differential Diagnosis=== | ===Differential Diagnosis=== | ||
Benign causes (see the [[benign breast disease page]].) | Benign causes (see the [[Benign_breast_disease|benign breast disease page]].) | ||
*'''Fibrocystic breast disease''' - benign growth abnormality of the breast, causing lumpiness and tenderness. It is very common in pre-menopausal women, and is often more pronounced around the time of menstruation. | *'''Fibrocystic breast disease''' - benign growth abnormality of the breast, causing lumpiness and tenderness. It is very common in pre-menopausal women, and is often more pronounced around the time of menstruation. | ||
*'''Fibroadenoma''' - a small tumour (growth) in the breast. They often develop in adolescent women and those in their early twenties, but can occur at any age. These lumps are benign and are not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. | *'''Fibroadenoma''' - a small tumour (growth) in the breast. They often develop in adolescent women and those in their early twenties, but can occur at any age. These lumps are benign and are not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. | ||
Revision as of 16:50, 11 November 2009
Definition
A lump in the breast
Epidemiology
Very common. Approximately 85% of them are benign breast disease.
Advice
- Know what is normal for you.
- Look and feel.
- Know what changes to look for.
- Report any changes without delay!
- Attend for breast screening if you are aged 50 or over
Clinical and Associated Features
- A lump or thickening in the breast (obviously)
- A change in the size or shape of a breast
- Skin dimpling
- Nipple changes, especially if there is retraction or inversion (sort of gets sucked inwards or turned inside out).
- Bloody discharge.
- A rash on a nipple or surrounding area.
- A swelling or lump in the armpit
Differential Diagnosis
Benign causes (see the benign breast disease page.)
- Fibrocystic breast disease - benign growth abnormality of the breast, causing lumpiness and tenderness. It is very common in pre-menopausal women, and is often more pronounced around the time of menstruation.
- Fibroadenoma - a small tumour (growth) in the breast. They often develop in adolescent women and those in their early twenties, but can occur at any age. These lumps are benign and are not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
- Cysts - A cyst is a fluid filled lump. Breast cysts are most common in pre-menopausal women, who are between 40-55 years of age, and those who take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) at any age. They are usually benign and can usually be drained with a needle.
- Fat necrosis - Fat necrosis is a hard irregular lump, which is often caused by trauma. They usually disappear spontaneously.
- Lipoma - A lipoma is a fatty growth which causes a lump that changes the shape of the breast. It requires no treatment.