Benign breast disease
Following are some of the common benign breast conditions
Breast pain or mastalgia: Breast pain is not a common symptom of breast cancer. But in some cases painful lumps are caused by breast cancer. Cyclic pain is the most common type of breast pain. It may be caused by the normal monthly changes in hormones. Noncyclic pain is most common in women 30 to 50 years of age. It may occur in only one breast. It is often described as a sharp, burning pain that occurs in one area of a breast.
If the clinical examination and breast imaging exclues any breast lesions that require further investigations then you would be most likely advised the mastalgia management plan and discharged back under care of your GP.
Benign breast lumps: Benign lumps in the breast are a common condition and have a number of different causes including cysts, fibroadenomas, lipoma, fibroadenosis, intramammary lymph node, hamartomas etc.
Most of the benign breast lumps do not require any treatment and you will be discharged from the breast clinic. In case of symptomatic lumps such as large fibroadenoma you would be offered appropriate excision.
Breast abscess: Breast abscesses are often linked to mastitis, a condition that causes breast pain and inflammation, and usually affects women who are breastfeeding.
If a breast abscess is confirmed, it can usually be successfully treated by draining it. Abscesses can be drained using a needle and syringe. Ultrasound may be used to guide the needle into place. You may be prescribed a course of antibiotics for a short period. No long term follow up is required and you will be referred back to your GP.
Nipple discharge: is caused by a wide range of conditions, most of which are harmless or easily treated.
For troublesome persistent nipple discharge you may be offered a surgery to remove the milk ducts. The procedure can be performed either under local or general anaesthesia.
Breast pain or mastalgia: Breast pain is not a common symptom of breast cancer. But in some cases painful lumps are caused by breast cancer. Cyclic pain is the most common type of breast pain. It may be caused by the normal monthly changes in hormones. Noncyclic pain is most common in women 30 to 50 years of age. It may occur in only one breast. It is often described as a sharp, burning pain that occurs in one area of a breast.
If the clinical examination and breast imaging exclues any breast lesions that require further investigations then you would be most likely advised the mastalgia management plan and discharged back under care of your GP.
Benign breast lumps: Benign lumps in the breast are a common condition and have a number of different causes including cysts, fibroadenomas, lipoma, fibroadenosis, intramammary lymph node, hamartomas etc.
Most of the benign breast lumps do not require any treatment and you will be discharged from the breast clinic. In case of symptomatic lumps such as large fibroadenoma you would be offered appropriate excision.
Breast abscess: Breast abscesses are often linked to mastitis, a condition that causes breast pain and inflammation, and usually affects women who are breastfeeding.
If a breast abscess is confirmed, it can usually be successfully treated by draining it. Abscesses can be drained using a needle and syringe. Ultrasound may be used to guide the needle into place. You may be prescribed a course of antibiotics for a short period. No long term follow up is required and you will be referred back to your GP.
Nipple discharge: is caused by a wide range of conditions, most of which are harmless or easily treated.
For troublesome persistent nipple discharge you may be offered a surgery to remove the milk ducts. The procedure can be performed either under local or general anaesthesia.
Last updated16 Apr 2013