Lumps, nodes in the mammary gland - diagnosis of causes, treatment in a clinic in Moscow

The article was checked by a mammologist of the highest category, Ph.D. Zorina E.Yu. , is for general informational purposes only and does not replace specialist advice. For recommendations on diagnosis and treatment, consultation with a doctor is necessary.

At the Yauza Clinical Hospital, highly informative and safe methods are used to assess the condition of the mammary gland and identify the presence and causes of lumps or nodes (digital low-dose mammography, ultrasound, MR mammography, ductography, histological examination of biopsy material, etc.). If pathological formations are detected, the specialist will prescribe complex treatment - effective drug therapy, and, if necessary, surgical intervention.

Does a lump in the chest always indicate a pathological process? Nodules associated with hormonal changes in the body (pregnancy, lactation, menopause, etc.) can disappear on their own when hormonal levels normalize. In other cases, our mammologists, after a thorough diagnosis, will prescribe and carry out treatment.

Causes of lumps and nodes in the mammary gland

The appearance of lumps in the mammary gland may be associated with an imbalance due to the use of contraceptives, pathological disorders of the thyroid gland, ovarian dysfunction, and mastitis. Injuries, chest bruises, and stress lead to the formation of knots. The consequence may be abortion, menopause, and disorders in the reproductive system. You should not wear a tight bra.

The lump can be the size of a small pea or the size of a grapefruit. Small size is not a reason to ignore the problem. Often small tumors grow to gigantic proportions in a short time. If you notice a lump in your breast, make an appointment with your doctor immediately. It may save your life and certainly keep you healthy.

Inflammatory diseases

More common inflammatory pathologies of the mammary glands include mastitis caused by staphylococci.

Types of mastitis:

Non-lactational. Has an acute or chronic form. Develops with bruises, hypothermia, burns.
Lactational. Consequence of lactostasis during breastfeeding.
Galactophorite. Inflammation of the ducts.
Purulent. Abscess or phlegmon of the mammary gland, followed by the formation of a compaction.
Non-purulent. Inflammatory process with serous sweating of tissues.

Mastitis is accompanied by pain, tissue swelling, lump formation, fever, weakness, and signs of intoxication.

Specific infections

Nonspecific breast infections include tuberculosis and syphilis. With tuberculosis, hypertrophy and thickening of the breast, hyperemia of the skin and enlargement of regional lymph nodes are observed.

Syphilis of the mammary glands is rare, has a long course and is characterized by systemic damage to the body. Develops in three stages. The causative agent is a pale spirochete that penetrates through microcracks and has the ability to reproduce rapidly. The disease is contagious at any stage. This type of syphilis is not transmitted to men.

Traumatic injuries

Chest injuries are common among women of all ages. Bruises are accompanied by aching and severe pain. Damage may be open or closed. The traumatic factor leads to damage to blood vessels and bleeding into the tissue, resulting in the formation of hematomas with clear boundaries of blue or maroon color.

If the areola or nipple area is bruised, traumatic shock may occur. Open wounds carry the risk of infection.

Consequences of illnesses, injuries and operations

The seals formed after a bruise are not malignant in nature, but can subsequently degenerate. Breast injuries are especially dangerous if a woman has nodular mastopathy. If you do not consult a doctor in a timely manner, dangerous complications develop.

These include:

Fat necrosis. Focal death of breast tissue, with the appearance of a painful lump. There is deformation of the breast, retraction of the skin and a change in its color. A benign tumor does not degenerate into a cancerous tumor on its own, but can become a provoking factor.
Calcifications. Calcification of soft breast tissue. The accumulation of calcium salts in the mammary gland develops against the background of some disease, including cancer (in 20% of cases). On palpation they are detected with an increase of more than 1 cm.
Capsular contracture. Growth of fibrous tissue around the implant after mammoplasty. Compression of a foreign body leads to breast deformation, the appearance of a seal in the gland area, contouring of the implant, and discomfort.
Polyacrylamide gel knots. Complicated condition after breast surgery using polyacrylamide gel. The transformation of the gel into capsules in the form of subcutaneous seals and movement to other parts of the body is observed. The development of a massive inflammatory process with purulent discharge is possible.

Bruising of the mammary glands is accompanied by swelling and pain. Sometimes injuries lead to clear or bloody discharge from the nipple. Any breast should be a reason to contact a mammologist for a detailed diagnosis.

How does fibroadenoma develop?

At its core, fibroadenoma is an increased proliferation of connective tissue and epithelial cells. This process is facilitated by the fact that breast tissue is “immature” before lactation.

The main reason for the development of breast fibroadenoma is an imbalance of estrogen in the body. They cause the following changes in breast tissue:

increased proliferation of epithelial cells;
active growth of mammary ducts;
increased fibroblast activity;
accelerating the growth of connective tissue.

Of course, fibroadenoma is not observed in all women with relative hyperestrogenism. Therefore, there is an opinion that tumor growth begins only when there is a sufficient number of estrogen receptors. In a healthy body, the activity of the receptor apparatus remains normal. And in women with pathologies of the neuro-endocrine apparatus, its sensitivity to estrogen increases.

Estrogens affect the growth of nodes not only directly, but also indirectly. Breast tissue is also affected by:

epidermal growth factor;
insulin-like growth factor types 1 and 2;
transforming growth factor alpha;
proto-oncogenes of several types.

Progesterone is the opposite of estrogen and acts as an antagonist. Acting gradually, it gradually converts active estrogens into inactive compounds. This hormone also helps to reduce the sensitivity of the receptor apparatus of the mammary glands and prevents tissue proliferation.

If the amount of progesterone is reduced in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, then it cannot restrain the proliferation processes in the mammary gland. This becomes the trigger for the increased proliferation of the fibroadenomatous node.

Thus, in women with hyperestrogenemia and progesterone deficiency, increased proliferation of connective tissue and epithelial cells is observed throughout the menstrual cycle. A dense node gradually forms in the area of the mammary gland where the receptors are most sensitive to changes in hormonal levels.

Non-palpable fibroadenoma can exist for a long time asymptomatically, without increasing in size. The onset of pregnancy or lactation can be a stimulus for its increased growth.

Despite the fact that the level of progesterone in the body of a pregnant woman is increased, the tumor grows due to the increasing level of estrogen and increased sensitivity of receptors to this group of hormones. During lactation, progesterone levels decrease significantly, but prolactin activity increases.

In most women, the maximum size of a benign breast tumor does not exceed 2–3 cm. After this, the development of fibroadenoma spontaneously stops. About 5–10% of benign tumors disappear on their own within a few years. This most often occurs in adolescence, as hormonal levels return to normal and the menstrual cycle is established. Statistically, breast fibroadenoma in teenage girls regresses on its own in 40% of cases.

In adulthood, the situation changes somewhat. Hyalinosis begins to develop in fibroadenoma tissues. In this case, calcifications (deposits of calcium salts) appear in the connective tissue cells. Therefore, such tumors detected during menopause indicate their long-term asymptomatic existence in the body.

What does pain indicate?

For most women, burning and mutual dull pain in the chest is a consequence of premenstrual syndrome. A burning sensation and pain in the chest is observed at the beginning of pregnancy.

Lumpiness and tenderness in the breasts occurs when milk accumulates in the mammary glands of a nursing mother. When cracks form in the nipples, there is a risk of infection and the development of mastitis.

Localized pain and burning in the chest can be the cause of the development of benign formations. This pain intensifies in a certain position of the body.

Burning and pain in one side of the chest may indicate the development of cancer. Tumor formations of the breast are most often located in the upper outer quadrant.

Types of breast lumps

There are several types of breast tumors. Each of them is characterized by certain symptoms.

Mastopathy

More information about the forms of mastopathy:

Fibrous. A benign formation that occurs in glandular or connective tissues. Possible degeneration into a malignant tumor.
Fibrocystic. Benign formations. It manifests itself as changes in the consistency of the mammary gland, cyclical pain, the formation of fibrosis and cysts, due to the reaction of the mammary gland tissue to hormones, estrogens and progesterone.
Nodal. Benign dysplasia with the presence of pronounced centers of compaction (nodules). It develops due to hormonal imbalance and is characterized by excessive formation of connective tissue in the chest.
Adenosis. It is a form of fibrocystic mastopathy, in which there is an increase in glandular tissue. Main symptoms: pain, lump formation, nipple discharge, breast engorgement.

Benign breast tumors

Fibroma. Dense, painless, benign spherical compaction. Before menstruation, there is a feeling of fullness in the chest. Seals can be single or multiple, well demarcated and mobile. The size varies from a few millimeters to several centimeters.
Adenoma. A benign formation, which may be caused by hormonal imbalance. The tumor grows from epithelial cells and is diagnosed before the age of 40. Usually located closer to the surface of the gland in the form of a movable, elastic spherical seal.
Fibroadenoma. It is benign in nature and belongs to the form of nodular mastopathy. Develops from glandular tissue. In 5% of cases it poses an oncological threat. More common in women of reproductive age. It manifests itself as pain and discomfort.
Lipoma. It is a benign, dense formation in the breast structure, originating from adipose tissue. The tumor has a round shape, elastic and mobile.
Fibrolipoma. The seal consists of fibrous and fatty tissue. It can be felt as a mobile, compacted node. With a long course of the disease, symptoms are completely absent. Increasing in size, it causes deformation of the mammary gland, sometimes calcification. Transformation into cancer is very rare.
Galactocele. A cyst-like formation filled with milk-like contents. In the initial stages, there is no clinical picture of the disease. Enlargement is accompanied by discomfort and deformation of the breast. Signs of intoxication may be present.
Intraductal papilloma. Refers to benign formations. It is localized in dilated areas of the mammary gland ducts, under the areola, near the nipple. It is a wart covered with papillae on the ductal wall. It is easily injured and bleeds, resulting in copious yellow-green, brown or milky discharge from the nipple.

Leaf-shaped tumor

The leaf-shaped tumor is fibroepithelial in nature and carries a potential risk of developing a malignant formation. It is distinguished by two phases of development: a long course (sometimes taking several decades) and dynamic development.

The formation is localized in the center of the chest or in the upper part, spreading to the entire mammary gland or most of it. As malignancy develops, the lungs, liver and bone tissue are affected. The lymphatic system does not become inflamed. Characterized by a tendency to relapse.

Causes and symptoms of breast fibroadenoma

Currently, there is no reliable information about the causes of the disease. Doctors identify only factors that contribute to the appearance of benign breast tumors.

The main role in the pathogenesis of the disease is given to hormonal levels. It is generally accepted that relative or absolute hyperestrogenism (excess estrogen) and progesterone deficiency are triggers in the development of pathology. Absolute hyperestrogenism is a condition in which the amount of estrogen in a woman’s body is increased. Relative hyperestrogenism is a condition in which estrogen levels are within the age norm, but its relationship with progesterone is disrupted.

Additional factors contributing to the development of the disease are:

early onset of menstruation;
no history of pregnancy or childbirth;
the onset of the first pregnancy after 30 years;
changes in the duration of lactation (less than 1 month and more than 1 year);
multiple artificial terminations of pregnancy (abortions);
overweight, obesity (body mass index more than 25 kg/m²);
a history of gynecological diseases (endometriosis, endometrial hyperplasia, uterine fibroids, etc.);
use of hormonal contraceptives before the age of 20;
African-American race;
chronic stress;
chest injuries;
operations in the chest area;
late menopause;
bad habits, etc.

Congenital conditions can also contribute to the development of the disease:

Cowden's syndrome Includes multiple benign tumors of a nodular nature, the phenomenon of mastopathy arising from fibrous tissue, and early benign tumors of the uterus. Also with this syndrome, damage to the digestive tract is observed.
Maffucci syndrome is accompanied by the appearance of multiple tumors in cartilage tissue, bone marrow, and other organs and systems.
Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome Already during the period of intrauterine development, disproportionate growth of organs and limbs and asymmetry of the body occurs. Also, even before birth, multiple tumors and hernias form.

Adolescence is one of the critical periods in the development of the female body. The formation of the menstrual cycle, which is invariably accompanied by hormonal changes, is itself a risk of developing benign breast tumors. Hyperestrogenism during this period is associated with imperfections in the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary system. Hormonal imbalances can be suspected when dysfunctional uterine bleeding occurs.

Women with liver disease are also at risk. This is due to a violation of the metabolism of steroid hormones. Also, women with pathologies of the adrenal glands and thyroid gland should have increased alertness regarding tumors of the mammary glands, since these organs are indirectly involved in the synthesis of sex hormones.

A history of gynecological diseases significantly increases the risk of developing breast fibroadenoma. When the ovaries are damaged by inflammatory diseases or benign tumors, disturbances occur in one of the key links of neuro-endocrine regulation. A shortening of the luteal phase and menstrual irregularities over time lead to the formation of breast fibroadenoma.

Recently, women are often diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). In this condition, there is no ovulation, the corpus luteum does not show activity in the second phase of the menstrual cycle. All this leads to progesterone deficiency and the proliferation of glandular tissue in the mammary glands.

With hyperprolactinemia, ovulation is suppressed and at the same time the sensitivity of breast cells to estrogen increases. This also leads to the formation of benign tumors.

Malignant breast tumors

Hormone-dependent cancer. A malignant neoplasm that develops from glandular tissue, the cells of which contain specific receptors that are sensitive to progesterone and estrogens. It is characterized by enlargement of regional lymph nodes, discharge from the nipples, diffuse or limited compaction in the chest area, changes in the skin and shape of the mammary glands. Symptoms of tumor intoxication are observed.
Breast cancer in pregnant women. A malignant tumor detected during pregnancy, breastfeeding or within a year after the birth of a child. Symptoms manifest themselves in the form of diffuse or nodular thickening of the mammary glands, enlargement of the axillary lymph nodes. Patients are concerned about pain, heaviness and discomfort in the chest. Uncharacteristic discharge from the nipple and local changes in the skin are observed.
Triple negative breast cancer. The most aggressive type of malignant neoplasm, in which the tumor cells lack targets for attack (progesterone, epidermal growth factor, estrogen). A dense, voluminous node is formed, regional lymph nodes enlarge, changes in the skin are observed, the mammary gland is noticeably deformed, and discharge from the nipple appears.
Hereditary cancer. The development of a tumor is associated with genetic changes that were inherited through a female or male cell from predecessors and are associated with an increased risk of developing the disease.
Recurrent cancer. A type of cancer that develops after a period of remission when no abnormal cells have been detected in the body. Relapses are more dangerous than the primary tumor. As a serious complication of cancer, they have a more toxic effect on the body.
Paget's cancer. A form of malignant breast tumors that affects the nipple and areola. A lump is felt in the chest, pain, itching, and burning appear. The nipple becomes deformed and yellow or bloody discharge appears. The peripapillary area is easily injured, bleeds, and becomes covered with a crust. The axillary lymph nodes are enlarged.
Invasive ductal carcinoma. It is one of the most common types of malignant breast tumors. It begins to develop in the milk ducts of the breast, can break out of the ducts and penetrate into the surrounding tissue. Signs of the disease manifest themselves in the form of swelling and pain in the chest, retraction of the nipples.

Sarcoma of the breast

Sarcoma in its morphology is a tumor of connective tissue origin, and not epithelial. Accounts for approximately 0.2-0.6% of all malignant neoplasias. Can be detected at any age.

In the initial stages of development, most malignant neoplasms do not cause pain. Therefore, even if the compaction does not cause discomfort, you should definitely visit a doctor to determine the nature of the pathology. Make an appointment with a specialist to protect yourself from serious illnesses.

Mastitis

Mastitis is an inflammatory disease of the mammary gland that occurs as a result of infection (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus) mainly through cracks in the nipple when feeding a child. Most often it develops in lactating women in the postpartum period, and may also not be associated with lactation. With mastitis, inflammation of the milk ducts occurs, and milk mixed with pus may be released. The appearance of compaction and nodular formation in one or more lobules of the mammary gland is observed. A mobile, painless compaction with clear boundaries is palpated.

Breast cysts

A breast cyst is a pathological cavity filled with liquid contents. It manifests itself as aching pain, which is associated with an increase in formation that compresses the surrounding tissues.

Hyperplastic breast lobules

A hyperplastic lobule of the mammary gland is an enlargement of the lobe of the mammary gland. It occurs mainly during pregnancy and can cause the development of fibrocystic mastopathy. No treatment required.

Fibroadenoma and breast cancer: how to distinguish?

When a tumor is detected in the mammary gland, many women begin to worry: what if it’s cancer?

Although the exact causes of breast cancer are still unknown, there are a number of predisposing factors for this condition:

Age Breast cancer in women most often occurs after 45 years of age and reaches its peak by 64 years of age. At an earlier age, breast cancer is less likely to develop.
History of oncological diseases of the mammary glands or ovaries. Women who have already had cancer have a fairly high risk of relapse of the pathology. In addition, every year it increases by 0.5–1%. Therefore, such women belong to a special risk group and require careful follow-up.
Hereditary predisposition If close relatives (mother, grandmother, sister) have had cancer of the mammary glands or ovaries, then you should pay careful attention to your health and be regularly monitored by specialists.
Unstable hormonal levels Lack of pregnancies and childbirth, frequent abortions, early onset and late end of menstruation, prolonged absence of sexual intercourse - all these are risk factors for the development of breast cancer.
Presence of concomitant diseases Many gynecological pathologies can create favorable conditions for the development of the oncological process.

It is not possible to differentiate fibroadenoma from breast cancer on your own. At a minimum, you need to see a doctor and conduct a series of instrumental examinations. One of the most reliable diagnostic methods is a columnar biopsy.

Remember that the sooner you contact a specialist, the more favorable the prognosis will be for any of these diseases.

Diagnosis of the causes of lumps and nodes in the mammary gland

Consultation with a mammologist. The mammologist will examine the patient, palpate, identify a lump or nodule, prescribe all the necessary tests and, if necessary, refer for consultation to other specialists in our center - oncologist, gynecologist, geneticist, endocrinologist, surgeon.
Instrumental studies : Ultrasound of the mammary glands;
ductography;
digital and MR mammography.

3. Laboratory research:

biopsy followed by histological examination;

cytological examination of a smear of discharge from the breast;

determination of hormonal levels;

genetic testing to determine your risk of developing breast cancer.

If the examination revealed one or another pathology, the mammologist will draw up an individual treatment program.

Most breast lumps are not ultimately cancerous. However, to be sure of this, it is necessary to undergo a high-quality examination. By making an appointment now, you will have the opportunity to undergo diagnostics using the latest equipment at a time convenient for you.

Rumyantseva, md.

Breast cancer is the most dangerous of all breast diseases. However, benign breast diseases are much more common.

Benign diseases can increase the risk of developing breast cancer, but in themselves they do not threaten a woman’s health and in the vast majority of cases do not require treatment.

At the same time, it is extremely important to correctly diagnose the condition that has developed in a woman, so as not to miss breast cancer in the early stages. Since examination and palpation, as well as mammography, often cannot tell for sure whether the disease is benign or requires closer attention, in many cases a biopsy is recommended when changes in the breast tissue are detected.

Benign diseases are divided into the following groups:

Non-proliferative diseases:

Does not increase the risk of developing breast cancer

Fibrosis and cysts (fibrocystic mastopathy),
Moderate hyperplasia,
Adenosis (non-sclerosing),
Benign epithelioma,
Single papillomas,
Fat necrosis,
Dilation of the mammary ducts,
Periductal fibrosis,
Squamous or apocrine metaplasia,
Calcifications,
Other benign tumors (lipoma, hamartroma, hemangioma, neurofibroma, etc.),
Mastitis (mastitis is not a tumor or formation in the mammary gland, but it belongs to this group because it does not increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer).

Proliferative diseases without atypia:

In these diseases, there is increased cell growth in the ducts or lobes of the mammary gland; these diseases increase the risk of developing breast cancer by 1.5-2 times

Ductal hyperplasia (without atypia),
Fibroadenoma,
Sclerosing adenosis,
Multiple papillomas (papillomatosis),
Radial scar.

Proliferative diseases with atypia:

In these diseases, increased cell growth is observed in the ducts or lobes of the mammary gland, with some of these cells acquiring signs of atypia; these diseases increase the risk of developing breast cancer by 4-5 times

Ductal hyperplasia with atypia,
Lobular hyperplasia with atypia,
Carcinoma in situ: growth of atypical cells that does not extend beyond the lobe/duct, i.e. does not grow through the wall, often also called “precancer”.

The causes of the vast majority of benign breast diseases are unknown (except mastitis). As with breast cancer, there are factors that increase the likelihood of detecting a particular disease, but it is not yet possible to prevent these diseases.

Let's look in a little more detail at the most common benign breast diseases:

Breast fibrosis and simple cysts

Breast fibrosis in Russia is often called fibrocystic mastopathy. This is the most common cause of lumps or discomfort in the mammary gland. With this condition, a woman may experience:

pain in the breast area, intensifying before menstruation,
lumps in breast tissue,
discharge from the nipple.

The disease is most common in women of reproductive age. Fibrosis and cysts can be found both in one mammary gland and on both sides. A presumptive diagnosis can be made during examination and interview, because It is this disease that is characterized by increased pain before the onset of menstruation. Mammography and ultrasound also help detect changes in breast tissue. In some cases, a biopsy of the contents of the cysts is required to exclude a malignant disease and make a final diagnosis. In the vast majority of cases, treatment is not required.

There are currently no drugs that can cure breast fibrosis.

Treatment is required if a woman experiences pain in the breast area and consists of wearing supportive underwear, applying warm compresses, and taking painkillers if necessary. Many women feel relief if they eliminate tea, coffee and chocolate. If there is significant pain before menstruation, limiting salt intake may be recommended, as well as prescribing diuretics (diuretics) in some cases. It is also possible to prescribe hormonal drugs (in particular, contraceptives) in severe cases.

Hyperplasia (ductal or lobular)

Hyperplasia is the excess growth of cells lining the ducts or lobules of the mammary gland. Hyperplasia can be without atypia or with atypia, depending on the structure of the cells, determined under a microscope during a biopsy of breast tissue. Depending on whether the hyperplasia is ductal or lobular and the presence of atypia, hyperplasia may or may not increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Hyperplasia usually does not cause any symptoms. This disease can be suspected by mammography and confirmed by biopsy.

There is no treatment, but women with atypical hyperplasia need more careful monitoring by a mammologist, because they have a significantly increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Carcinoma in situ

Carcinoma in situ is a disease in which atypical cells (cells whose structure corresponds to breast cancer) are detected within one lobe of the breast, but do not invade the wall and surrounding tissues. Carcinoma in situ does not necessarily develop into breast cancer, but this diagnosis significantly increases the risk of its development, and therefore such patients require special attention and more frequent preventive examinations. Caricnoma in situ often does not cause any discomfort in a woman; it most often cannot be felt during examination, nor can it be seen on a mammogram or ultrasound. In this regard, it is discovered accidentally in many patients during a biopsy performed for another reason (cysts and other breast formations). There is no drug treatment.

In accordance with international recommendations, caricnoma in situ does not require treatment, but requires dynamic monitoring of the patient.

However, it is necessary to take into account the presence of other risk factors in this patient (complicated family history, mutations in the BRCA 1 and 2 genes). When several factors combine, removal of the affected area may be recommended. Some patients with carcinoma in situ prefer prophylactic removal of both breasts followed by implants.

Breast adenosis

Adenosis is a disease in which the lobules of the mammary gland enlarge due to an increase in the amount of glandular tissue. Adenosis is most often detected by breast tissue biopsy in women with fibrosis and cysts. In some cases, an increase in several adjacent lobules can be felt by a woman or a doctor as a lump in the mammary gland, in other cases the disease does not manifest itself. If a lump is detected without a biopsy, it is impossible to say with certainty whether the patient has adenosis or breast cancer. With adenosis, the formation of dense calcifications, which are visible on mammography, is also possible. In such cases, a biopsy is also necessary to make a final diagnosis, because Calcifications can also form in breast cancer. Ultrasound may also suspect adenosis, but not make a definitive diagnosis.

Treatment for adenosis is not required. Adenosis can be of two types: non-sclerosing (does not increase the risk of breast cancer) and sclerosing (increases the risk of breast cancer).

Fibroadenoma of the breast

Fibroadenomas are benign tumors consisting of glandular and connective tissue of the mammary gland. They are most often detected in young women (under 40 years of age), but can sometimes be diagnosed at a later age. In most cases, fibroadenomas do not cause discomfort, but can be felt by a woman or doctor as round, mobile, painless lumps in the breast tissue. The final diagnosis is made by biopsy. If a fibroadenoma does not grow, does not change in shape, does not deform the mammary gland and does not cause discomfort, it does not need to be removed (if, according to the biopsy, there is an accurate diagnosis that it is a fibroadenoma). If growth of nodes or deformation of the mammary gland is observed, it is recommended to remove the node/nodes. After removal, new nodes may form. This does not mean that the removed node has “returned”, it is the formation of a new node in the same place or nearby. Fibroadenomas can undergo independent regression (most often during menopause).

Intraductal papillomas

Intraductal papillomas are benign formations growing inside the ducts of the mammary gland. Papillomas can lead to the appearance of discharge (including bloody) from the nipple. Large papillomas located near the nipple can sometimes be felt during examination; they can cause discomfort to the patient. Separately, papillomatosis is distinguished, in which many small-sized papillomas are formed in the ducts. The diagnosis is made on the basis of a ductogram (x-ray of the breast with the introduction of a contrast agent into the ducts). In the presence of large papillomas, a biopsy may be performed.

Treatment is removal of papillomas and the affected area of the mammary duct.

Mastitis

Mastitis is an inflammatory disease of the breast. Mastitis develops as a result of a woman’s body’s reaction to an infection invading the mammary gland. Mastitis often affects women during lactation. In most cases, mastitis is diagnosed based on a survey and examination of the woman. Mastitis is quite severe:

edema,
redness,
hyperemia,
soreness of the affected area,
discharge from the nipple may appear,
development of general symptoms of intoxication: headache, elevated body temperature.

Treatment is carried out with antibacterial drugs. When an abscess forms (a complication of mastitis), you should first puncture and empty the abscess, and then a course of antibiotic therapy. It is important to remember that there is a rare type of breast cancer that can cause similar symptoms. In this regard, if taking antibiotics does not lead to recovery within a week, a more thorough examination should be carried out.

To summarize:

Benign tumors are much more common than breast cancer. If you felt the lump yourself/the doctor at the appointment discovered changes in the breast tissue/changes were detected during mammography, it is most likely that this is a benign process.
Most benign breast processes do not manifest themselves in any way.
The final diagnosis in most cases is made after a biopsy.
In most cases, treatment is not required if the patient has no complaints.
Some benign diseases increase the risk of developing breast cancer and therefore require more detailed monitoring (hyperplasia with or without atypia; fibroadenoma, sclerosing adenosis, papillomatosis, carcinoma in situ).

Read more about breast cancer and about preventive examinations for early detection of breast cancer by following the links:

Mammary cancer
Preventive screenings for early detection of breast cancer

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Treatment of compactions and nodes in the mammary glands

Treatment of breast lumps and nodules depends on the cause. The exception is the hyperplastic lobule, which is a variant of the norm and does not require treatment. But observation by a specialist with such a diagnosis is necessary.

In other cases we use:

conservative therapy;
surgical treatment: opening of the abscess, sectoral resection of the mammary gland without removing the breast for benign tumors; radical resection (with underlying areas of muscle and fascia) or mastectomy with removal of regional lymph nodes in case of malignant processes, subsequently plastic reconstructive and aesthetic surgeries are possible;
chemotherapy for malignant neoplasms.

Self-examination is of great importance for the early detection of breast pathology, which should be carried out regularly. If you find lumps in your breasts, consult a specialist. The success of treatment directly depends on the early diagnosis of the disease. Doctors at the Yauza Clinical Hospital will identify the cause and help you cope with any breast disease.

Cost of services

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Treatment of adenosis

In most cases, adenosis is treated with conservative methods. It is practiced to take vitamins, minerals, sedatives, homeopathic medicines and herbal remedies. Lifestyle changes are also of great importance: women are recommended to exercise physical activity, healthy eating and a calm atmosphere. Sometimes hormonal correction is required. Surgery is performed only in exceptional cases, if tumors quickly increase in size or number, and conservative therapy does not produce results. It is believed that adenosis of the mammary glands does not increase a woman’s chances of getting cancer, but only if it does not progress. Therefore, it is very important to consult a doctor at the first sign of a problem and begin treatment.

Which doctor should I contact for examination?

You should know that mastopathy and mastitis can cause the development of cancer. Regular examinations by a specialist will help avoid dangerous pathologies. If you have pain or lumps in the mammary glands, you should contact a mammologist. After an accurate diagnosis, he will prescribe appropriate treatment.

For preventive purposes, it is recommended to visit a mammologist annually. In case of complicated heredity, due to individual characteristics, in the presence of concomitant pathologies, additional visits to the doctor are required.

What symptoms require immediate medical attention?

If the following signs appear, you should consult a specialist:

Aching pain in the chest and mammary glands.
Well palpable lumps in the chest.
Stagnation of breast milk during lactation, changes in its color and smell.
Formation of weeping wounds on the skin.
Unpleasant-smelling nipple discharge.
A sharp change in the size and shape of the mammary glands.
Itching of the nipples and any change in their appearance.

You should not postpone a visit to the doctor if breast swelling appears after the installation of implants. Patients with chronic sexual diseases must undergo routine examinations. Regular visits to a mammologist are recommended for women with a family history. Trauma to the chest can lead to the formation of cysts or tumors.