There may be a lump in the breast due to various reasons and all lumps are not due cancer in the breast. A few points can help differentiate the different types of lumps in the breast. The major types of breast lumps are differentiated below on the basis of their appearance and symptoms. But all breast lumps must be investigated thoroughly by consulting a doctor and using various imaging techniques.
Fibroadenoma: These are usually seen in women in theirs 20s and 30s or in postmenopausal women undergoing hormonal therapy. They are solid, non-cancerous, smooth masses which move easily under the skin. These are seen to grow during pregnancy, menstruation and in hormonal therapy.
Fibrocystic changes in the breast: These masses are round and smooth and seen mostly during menstruation. There is a feeling of fullness of breast with lumpiness and ridge-like areas with tenderness.
Galactocele: This is a fluid-filled mass formed due to a blocked milk duct.
Sclerosing adenosis: These are due to excess growth of tissues of breast lobule and may be seen as calcifications on the mammogram. Breast abscess: This is a pocket of pus in the breast which may be associated with other symptoms like pain, fever and tiredness.
Lumps due to injury: There may be damage to the fatty tissue of the breast due to injury or after lumpectomy or radiation therapy. This is known as fat necrosis. There may be a collection of infected fluid with pain and inflammation in this case. Cancer of the breast: These lumps are painless, rigid, hard, irregularly shaped, and thickening and swelling that feels different from the surrounding area. The skin covering the breast may be red and flaky in the region of the nipples, dimpled like orange peel and the nipples may be pulled inwards.
There may be discharge from the nipples without squeezing and it appears bloody or clear. Final diagnosis of any of these masses needs to be done with clinical breast examination by a doctor, supporting imaging studies such as mammography and breast MRI and biopsy or aspiration cytology as required. Regular self-breast-examination must be done for early detection and proper treatment of these masses.