SUSPICIOUS BREAST LUMPS

By Dr Rajeev Kaushal, BSc.MB.MD. CCST, UK & European Board Certified , is an ex- staff and Medical Oncologist at Saudi German Hospital Dubai

A breast lump is a growth of tissue that develops within your breast. Finding a lump in your breast can be frightening and provoke anxiety. Most breast lumps aren’t dangerous, but it’s important to see your Oncologist to have them evaluated promptly.

Symptoms

Breast tissue normally might feel lumpy or ropy and you may have tenderness that comes and goes with your menstrual period.

If you have an underlying breast condition, you might notice changes in how your breasts normally feel, such as:

·        A round, smooth and firm breast lump

·        A large, solid-feeling lump that moves easily under your skin

·        A hard, irregular-shaped breast lump

·        Skin redness or dimpling like an orange

·        Changes in breast size or shape

·        Fluid leaking from your nipple

Causes

Breast lumps can result from:

· Breast cysts. If you find a breast lump that feels round, smooth and firm, it could be a cyst — a dilated milk duct filled with fluid. A breast cyst can be large or small, and the surrounding breast tissue may be tender. A breast cyst may appear before your menstrual period and get smaller or disappear afterward.

· Fibrocystic breast changes. With fibrocystic breast changes, you may feel fullness in your breasts with areas of lumpiness or ridge like areas. Your breasts may feel tender. Many women experience fibrocystic breast changes related to their menstrual cycles that tend to improve after the menstrual cycle.

· Fibroadenomas. Fibroadenomas are solid, noncancerous breast tumors that are smooth and move easily under your skin when touched. A fibroadenoma may grow larger. Factors that may be associated with fibroadenoma growth include being pregnant, using hormone therapy or menstruation.

· Injuries and infections. A severe injury to your breast tissue or nearby nerves can create a breast lump. Doctors describe this condition as fat necrosis. A collection of infected fluid (abscess) in breast tissue also can cause a breast lump, one that’s often associated with localized breast pain and inflammation of the skin.

· Breast cancer. A breast lump that’s painless, hard, irregularly shaped and different from surrounding breast tissue might be breast cancer. Skin covering the lump may look red, dimpled or pitted like the skin of an orange. Your breast size and shape may change, or you may notice discharge from the nipple.

Only by seeing your Oncologist for evaluation can you be certain of what kinds of tests you might need and which type of breast lump you have.

What happens at the Oncology Clinic

At the hospital or Oncology clinic, you may have a:

• breast examination
• scan – usually a breast X-ray (mammogram) or ultrasound
• biopsy – where a needle is inserted into the lump to remove some cells for testing

These tests are often done during the same visit. You’ll usually be told the results on the same day, although biopsy results take longer – you may have to wait about a week.

Treatment for a breast lump depends on the cause. Most are harmless and may go away on their own without treatment.

For medical consultation and further inquiries, please contact: