Do not immediately panic if you find a lump around the breast. In many cases, these lumps are benign breast tumors and generally appear due to hormonal changes before menstruation or approaching menopause.
Breast tumors are generally characterized by the growth of a lump around the breast. Most breast lumps go away on their own without treatment and are not at risk of developing breast cancer.
However, it is not impossible that a lump in the breast develops into a malignant tumor that causes cancer. Well, there are some differences between a breast lump that is benign and a lump that is dangerous or malignant.
Generally, lumps due to benign tumors are soft in texture, regular in shape, and easy to move. Meanwhile, tumors that have the potential to become breast cancer usually have an irregular shape, solid, and cannot be moved.
What are the Types and Causes of Benign Breast Tumors?
The following are some of the common types of benign breast tumors and their causes:
1. Fibroadenoma
Fibroadenoma is the most common benign breast tumor in young women between the ages of 20 and 30. If palpated, the lump due to fibroadenoma has a rubbery texture and can be moved.
The exact cause of fibroadenoma is not known, but it is thought to be related to the hormone estrogen. The lump in a fibroadenoma can get bigger during pregnancy and will shrink during menopause.
Fibroadenoma needs to be detected and evaluated for its development. If needed, the doctor may suggest surgical removal of the fibroadenoma to treat it.
2. Fibrocystic changes or fibroadenosis
Fibrocystis are hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle. This can trigger the appearance of lumps in both breasts that are painful, especially before menstruation.
Fibrocystic changes are a common cause of benign breast tumors in women aged 35–50 years. In addition to the appearance of a lump in the breast before menstruation, other symptoms of fibrocystic changes include:
- The lump texture feels hard or soft
- Discharge from the nipple
- Pain in the breast
- Changes in the size of both breasts
Fibrocysts do not require medical treatment. However, doctors can give medicines to relieve breast pain that appears during menstruation. The lumps and pain caused by fibrosis will decrease and even disappear when the menstrual period begins.
3. Breast cyst
Breast cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can form in one or both breasts. Breast cysts can vary in size and can change with your menstrual cycle.
Breast cysts can be treated with a fine needle aspiration procedure. This procedure is done by inserting a needle into the area around the breast lump. The needle is used to suck fluid, so the cyst will deflate.
4. Intraductal papilloma
Intraductal papillomas are small wart-like bumps that form on the walls of the milk ducts near the nipple. In some cases, this condition can trigger discharge from the nipple.
You are at risk for cancer if you have five or more papillomas at once. To reduce the risk of cancer, the doctor may suggest a surgical procedure to remove the lump that appears.
5. Fat necrosis due to injury
Fat necrosis is a dense, round lump that forms when scar tissue replaces breast tissue damaged by an injury.
Generally, lumps due to fat necrosis are benign breast tumors and are not at risk of becoming cancer. However, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the fat necrosis.
When is the right time to see a doctor for a breast tumor?
Breast tumors often appear as a single hard lump or thickening under the skin. Although most are benign, some types of breast tumors can develop into cancer.
Therefore, you should consult a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Breast pain
- Changes in breast size, shape, or consistency
- The appearance of a hollow in the breast or the surface of the skin of the breast, like an orange peel
- The nipple is pulled or goes into the breast
- Clear discharge or blood from the nipple
- A lump or swelling appears in one armpit
- Red rash around the nipples
Doctors may recommend mammography to determine the cause of breast tumors. If through mammography, the doctor has not been able to determine the cause, a breast biopsy can be performed to determine the cause and provide appropriate treatment.
If you experience symptoms that are suspected of being a breast tumor, immediately consult a doctor so that an appropriate examination and treatment can be carried out.
