Benign Breast Tumors: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Breast palpation is a standard checkup at every gynecologist visit. Even at home, the breast should be examined regularly by yourself for lumps. In most cases, these are benign breast tumors and not symptoms of cancer, but this should always be clarified by a doctor.

What are benign breast tumors?

Not all lumps in the breast, indicate breast cancer. Nevertheless, they should be clarified in the mammography. Benign breast tumors, also called benign tumors of the breast, are changes in the breast that have no clinical significance. In the case of a benign tumor, there is no breast cancer. There are different types of these benign changes:

A growth of connective and glandular tissue is called a fibroadenoma. It can be palpated as a clearly demarcated lump. A lipoma is a proliferation of adipose tissue cells and is usually very small. Similar to fibroadenoma is phylloid tumor. It also grows from connective tissue, but can become very large and even malignant very quickly. However, this type of benign breast tumor is rather rare. Another rare tumor is intraductal or milk duct papilloma. The growth arises from the lining tissue of the mammary ducts. The cauliflower-like, small tumor is usually located just below the nipple. Slow-growing and small growths of the glandular tissue are called adenomas. They are also rather rare.

Causes

In most cases, benign breast tumors are harmless. Where they come from has not yet been fully established. One cause could be hormonal influences. For example, factors such as taking birth control pills, pregnancy and breastfeeding seem to reduce the risk of tumor development. Breast tissue is very sensitive to fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels during the menstrual cycle. Furthermore, benign breast tumors occur mainly in young women. Infection can also cause lumps in the breast. Inflammation of the breast tissue is called mastitis. It occurs especially frequently in breastfeeding women. If the skin of the nipple is broken during breastfeeding, bacteria can easily enter there and cause an infection. Women who wear nipple piercings are especially at risk for infection. Other causes of benign breast tumors can be regular changes in breast tissue, injury or medication.

Symptoms, complaints and signs

Benign breast tumors belong to different types of tumors and therefore cause different symptoms. Often, there are no symptoms at all. However, the symptoms that may occur depend on the type of tumor. Thus, benign breast tumors include fibroadenomas, adenomas, lipomas, phylloid tumors and intraductal papilloma. Young women are usually affected. The most common benign breast tumors are fibroadenomas. These usually do not cause any symptoms. They are usually felt as hard lumps by chance during self-examination of the breast. Only in very slim women can the lumps also be discovered by sighting as a swelling if they are located just under the skin. Complaints occur only in rare cases during pregnancy, because there may be inflammation. Lipomas feel soft in contrast to fibroadenomas. However, lipomas also do not cause any discomfort. The so-called phylloid tumors are easy to palpate because they grow very quickly and can reach a considerable size. As the tumor grows against the skin of the chest, it often protrudes. Sometimes it grows through the skin and looks cauliflower-like. The intraductal papilloma is difficult to palpate because of its softness. However, it is noticeable by a milky discharge from the nipple. Adenoma of the nipple may also have a bloody discharge. Malignant degeneration occurs very rarely in benign breast tumors.

Diagnosis and course

Often, benign breast tumors do not show any symptoms until they reach a certain size. In the case of milk duct papilloma, a bloody or milky discharge may appear from the nipple. In most cases, however, the lump is not discovered until it is large enough to be palpable. An important diagnostic tool is therefore self-examination, i.e. palpation of the patient’s own breast. It is also important to look for any special features of the lump, for example, whether it changes during the menstrual cycle.If a lump is discovered, the gynecologist should be consulted. He or she will palpate the breast carefully and, if necessary, order an ultrasound examination (sonography) or a mammogram. To determine whether the tumor is benign or malignant, a small tissue sample is taken (biopsy) and examined. The benign breast tumors usually grow slowly, do not destroy surrounding tissue and do not metastasize. Therefore, the prognosis is usually positive and the course is favorable. Palpation of the breast is a standard check-up at every visit to the gynecologist. Even at home, the breast should be examined regularly by yourself for lumps.Most often, these are benign breast tumors and not symptoms of cancer, but this should always be clarified by a doctor.

Complications

A lump in the breast always means that an ulcer is growing, which should be taken care of. It does not matter whether the breast is female or male. Nodules in the breast occur in both sexes and must be professionally examined at all times. Without treatment, they can continue to grow unhindered and cause great damage. And it is not only the growing that presents itself as a problem. Even if it is a harmless hardening, it can become a malignant tumor without treatment. Only a doctor is able to determine what kind of tumor it is. Complications of treated lumps in the breast occur if the wound care was not performed aseptically. Inflammation occurs at the surgical site or the scar does not close. If a malignant tumor has been diagnosed, complications may arise from chemotherapy. If the affected person has waited too long and diseased cells were able to enter the lymphatic system, so-called elephantiasis occurs. The arm becomes unnaturally thick and only very rarely does the swelling go down, even with special treatments.

When should you go to the doctor?

A doctor should always be consulted if there is a lump in the breast tissue. Both men and women should immediately seek a check-up visit with a doctor as soon as there are noticeable hardening or other changes within the breast tissue. If swelling, the formation of ulcers, skin changes or discoloration occur, a doctor must be consulted. If pain occurs or if bruises can be perceived repeatedly on the breast without external effects, a clarification by a physician is necessary. If there is a pulling sensation in the chest within movements or if discomfort occurs while performing general activities, a doctor is needed. If the breast grows abnormally, if a feeling of tightness is noticed in the breast, or if there are changes in sensations on the skin, a visit to the doctor should be made. If there is numbness or sensitivity of the breast, caution should be exercised and a physician should be consulted. If changes or irregularities occur in patients diagnosed with benign tumors, a physician should be consulted immediately. In some cases, benign tumors can turn into malignant disease. Therefore, another check-up visit is needed as soon as possible. If fluid is lost through the nipple, this is considered unusual and should be clarified. In case of inner restlessness, psychological problems or behavioral abnormalities, a visit to the doctor should also take place.

Treatment and therapy

The particular treatment depends on what kind of benign breast tumor is present. Inflammation of the breast tissue in a woman who is breastfeeding can be treated with antibiotics and warm compresses. If an abscess has formed, it often needs to be drained from the kind first. Milky duct papillomas can develop into malignant tumors in individual cases. Therefore, they must be regularly checked and possibly surgically removed. Most benign breast tumors are removed surgically. If the patient is not particularly suffering, it is often sufficient to observe and regularly check very small, slow-growing growths. Only rarely do benign breast tumors develop into malignant tumors. They also usually do not increase the risk of breast cancer. In the case of the rare phylloid tumor, it is important that the tumor is completely removed, otherwise it can form again after the operation. In most cases, this does not require removal of the entire breast.

Outlook and prognosis

Benign breast tumors generally have a very favorable prognosis.One important reason for this is the slow growth of the affected cells. Unlike malignant tumors, the surrounding tissue is not destroyed and no metastases are formed. The probability of degeneration, i.e. of transformation into a malignant tumor, is very low in benign breast tumors. Since the probability increases somewhat with age, surgical removal is performed more frequently overall in older patients. For some small and isolated tumors such as fibroadenomas, regular check-ups by the gynecologist are sufficient. A negative course is not to be expected. However, surgical removal is usually sought even for benign breast tumors. Often these tumors are not noticeable for a long time. Nevertheless, they grow and can gradually displace healthy tissue and cause immense damage. The benign phylloid tumor often re-forms after surgery. Therefore, this tumor in particular must be completely removed. Breast removal is usually not necessary for benign breast tumors. The prognosis for complete recovery after removal of a breast tumor is very good.

Prevention

To date, no specific measures are known to reduce the risk of benign breast tumors. Above all, it is important to treat them as early as possible. For this, regular self-examination and regular check-ups with a gynecologist are essential. Any newly discovered lump should be clarified by the gynecologist and known benign breast tumors that have not been removed should be checked regularly.

Follow-up care

Various follow-up measures are usually necessary for benign breast tumors. Usually, the tumor or tumors are surgically removed. The surgical scars in this area usually heal well. Therefore, only a few postoperative examinations are necessary for control. However, intensive follow-up is necessary if complications such as inflammation occur. After successful removal of the benign breast tumor, follow-up examinations are primarily aimed at noticing any recurrence of tumors in good time. Certain forms of tumors strongly stimulate the growth of the surrounding tissue. This leads to increased formation of new ulcers. This also increases the risk of malignant tumors in some cases. The control intervals after the removal of benign breast tumors are determined in consultation with the specialist. Within the first five years, the breast should be examined by a physician several times a year. At least once a year, mammography and sonography should be performed. In addition, those affected should palpate the breast themselves to detect any changes in the tissue. If there is any hardening, skin changes or other abnormalities in the breast area, a specialist should be consulted regardless of the scheduled examination intervals. This is also advisable if tumors form in other areas of the body, such as under the armpit.

What you can do yourself

Benign breast tumors usually do not require therapeutic treatment, so that even in everyday life by the affected person is usually no self-help is necessary. The growth of benign (benign) tumors, such as fibroadenoma, cannot be influenced by oneself anyway. Sometimes it is possible that, for example, a fibroadenoma may squeeze due to its location or size, or in the context of PMS and other menstrual disorders may slightly increase the discomfort such as pain in the breast before the period. In these cases, cooling compresses with curd cheese are a proven and completely side-effect-free home remedy. In addition, as with other breast complaints (such as mastopathy), it is advisable not to constantly palpate the breast or a possibly palpable benign breast tumor. There are cases in which a woman also copes poorly psychologically with the fact that she has a benign breast tumor. After a confirmed diagnosis by the specialist, for example by imaging procedures or a biopsy, it is then important that the woman does not develop excessive fears of the benign tumor. In this case, it is helpful to provide specific information about the harmlessness of the finding and to consistently adhere to the conventional preventive examinations as part of cancer screening. If the benign tumor remains inconspicuous, the woman can deal with the diagnosis in everyday life in an increasingly relaxed and relaxed manner.