Benign breast conditions are very common in women. While many women worldwide are fighting breast cancer, most breast lumps are benign, i.e. non-cancerous. Such benign breast lumps can develop in both men and women. This condition is not life-threatening, but if not treated on time, you may risk developing cancer later on. If you feel any breast lumps, contact any of the experienced breast surgeons in London who can give you the appropriate treatment. 

Benign breast conditions affect all genders, but the risk increases if a person has a family history of breast cancer or benign breast disease, uses hormone replacement therapy, and has a hormonal imbalance. There are many types of benign breast conditions which experienced breast surgeons in London can treat. We will see the various types of benign breast conditions in this post. 

Breast Cysts

Most breast conditions are breast cysts that are fluid-filled lumps. These cysts can be tender and lumpy, but they do not make you prone to cancer. These may often go away without treatment. They occur in women between the ages of 35 and 50 but are more common in those nearing menopause. The cysts may enlarge and become sore just before your periods and may even seem to appear overnight. Most cysts are malignant and are caused by blocked breast glands. The lumps can either feel soft or hard. They can feel like a large blister that is smooth on the outside and fluid-filled on the inside when close to the surface of the breast. But they can feel like hard lumps when deep in the breast tissue as they are covered with tissue. 

Fibroadenomas

This is another most common non-cancerous solid breast tumor usually found in women ages 15 to 35. They may go away on their own and not increase the risk of breast cancer. These lumps are solid and smooth and are most common that may occur at any age. However, they are increasingly being seen in postmenopausal women who take hormone therapy. The lumps are painless and feel rubbery, and move around freely. They also vary in size and can grow anywhere in the breast tissue. 

Fibrocystic Breast Changes

This condition is caused due to fluctuating hormonal levels that make the breasts feel lumpy, dense and tender, especially before menstruation. Women aged 30 to 50 are more likely to experience this disease, which may go away without treatment. 

Hyperplasia

Hyperplasia occurs from an overgrowth of cells that line the mammary ducts or glands. It does not increase the risk of cancer and does not require treatment. However, in the case of atypical hyperplasia, the surgeon may recommend surgery as the condition may make you more prone to breast cancer. 

Intraductal Papilloma

These small, wart-like growths form inside the mammary duct near the nipple. They may cause nipple discharge, mostly affecting women from 30 to 50 yrs of age. If you have five or papillomas at one time, your breast cancer risk increases. But surgery can remove these growths and reduce the risks. 

Mammary Duct Ectasia

Ectasia may cause an inverted nipple or nipple discharge when swollen; inflamed milk ducts are blocked. This condition is also known as periductal mastitis. This condition is mostly seen in women who are in their menopausal and postmenopausal periods. Though it does not increase the risk of breast cancer, you may need antibiotics if a bacterial infection is caused due to inflammation and blockage. 

Traumatic Fat Necrosis

These are breast lumps formed when scar tissue replaces breast tissue that an injury, surgery or radiation therapy has damaged. The lumps are painless, round and firm and often occur in women with very large breasts or those who have had a bruise or blow to the breast. Or they may also be a result of lumpectomy and radiation from a prior cancerous lump. This condition, too, does not raise the risk of cancer and mostly does not require treatment. A mammography would be needed to determine whether to remove it or not.

Abscess

In this condition, a pocket of pus appears in the breast, which causes inflammation and a sore lump. It may also cause fever and tiredness.

Galactocele

These are also called milk retention cysts, fluid-filled masses usually caused by a blocked milk duct. 

Hematoma

This, too, is a blood-filled mass caused by injury or a surgical procedure of the breast. 

Sclerosing Adenosis

This excess growth of tissue in the breast’s lobules often causes breast pain. This condition is often mistaken for cancer. These changes may be very small, but they appear on mammograms as calcifications and can make lumps. A biopsy may also be needed to rule out cancer.

Takeaway

All the conditions mentioned above are extremely treatable, and an experienced oncologist can help you with it.