Breast Tumor
What is a breast tumor?
A breast tumor or lump is a growth of tissue that develops inside the breast.
Different types of breast lumps can vary in appearance and feel.
You may feel a lump as a mass, growth, swelling, thickening, or a feeling of fullness.
You may have noticed:
A distinct lump with well-defined borders
A firm, hard area inside the breast
An area of the breast that is thicker and slightly more prominent, distinct from the surrounding breast tissue
Other changes in the breasts, such as redness, dimpling, or indentations in the skin
One breast that is noticeably larger than the other
Changes in the nipples, such as inverted nipples or spontaneous discharge from the nipples
Breast pain or persistent tenderness upon touch, which may worsen during menstruation
Sometimes, a breast lump is a sign of breast cancer.
That's why you need to get a medical checkup right away.
What causes breast tumors?
Breast lumps can be caused by:
02
Breast cysts (a fluid-filled sac in the breast that is usually benign)
03
Fibroadenoma (the most common benign solid mass in young women)
04
Fibrocystic breasts (lumpy or cord-like breast tissue)
05
Injury or trauma to the breast
06
Intraductal papilloma (a benign, wart-like growth in the milk ducts)
07
Lipoma (a mass that grows slowly, feels soft like dough, and is usually harmless)
08
Mastitis (the most common breast tissue infection in breastfeeding women)
09
A milk cyst (galactocele) is a cyst filled with milk that is usually harmless
When should you see a doctor?
Schedule an appointment to have a breast lump evaluated, especially if:
The lump feels firm or cannot be moved
A lump that persists for more than four to six weeks
You notice changes in the skin of your breasts, such as redness, scaling, dimpling, or wrinkling
Discharge from the nipple, which may be accompanied by blood
The nipple is inverted, and that is not its normal position
You may feel a lump growing in your armpit