Fibroadenoma
The fibroadenoma is the most common benign tumor of the breast. It is a newly formed connective tissue of the breast that surrounds the mammary gland lobules. Almost one third of all women, especially younger ones, are affected.
The age peak is between 30 and 35 years. The fibroadenoma appears as a coarse, often roundish lump in the breast, which can be moved easily and has a smooth surface. In most cases, the lump can be moved so well against the other tissue that it is literally difficult to get it between the fingers.
Very few women with a fibroadenoma have complaints, sometimes there are slight tension pains, especially during menstruation. As with breast cancer, the growth of fibroadenomas is also dependent on sex hormones. Fibroadenoma does not lead to retractions or a plateau phenomenon (see Breast cancer detection) because it does not grow into the surrounding tissue but forms between it.
However, depending on the size of the growth, there may be protrusions on the breast. In ultrasound and mammography, the fibroadenoma appears as a well-defined, round mass, possibly with internal calcifications. Fibromas can be removed surgically if desired, but actually do not require any treatment.
Lipoma
Lipomas are benign growths of the fatty tissue. Lipomas usually occur in the subcutaneous fatty tissue of the neck and back, arms, middle of the abdomen and thighs, but lipomas can also form within the female breast. Smaller findings can be felt by palpation as hard lumps under the skin, larger findings are clearly visible as a bump on the skin.
The size can be a few millimeters, but can also reach fist size in rare cases. Lipomas grow very slowly and often reach their final size only after decades. The nodules are well defined, have a smooth surface and are usually easy to move. Lipomas can also be surgically removed if desired, but otherwise do not require treatment.
Mastitis (inflammation of the breast)
Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary glands (from Greek mastos), mostly caused by bacteria. Mastitis (inflammation of the breast) often occurs in nursing mothers in the puerperium, and is then called mastitis puerperalis. The inflammation often develops in a circumscribed area of the breast.
The breast is reddened, often slightly swollen, overheated and extremely painful. There is usually a simultaneous fever and the lymph nodes in the armpit are swollen. The treatment depends on how far the inflammation has progressed and can range from cooling the breast, to pumping the milk (see breast milk), to antibiotic therapy and drug inhibition of milk production.
Breastfeeding must be avoided during this time. Inflammation of the breast rarely occurs outside the puerperium and is called mastitis non-puerperalis. In recent years, however, this disease has increased significantly, and there is no clear explanation for this at the moment.
The symptoms are the same as for mastitis puerperalis, only fever occurs less frequently. Factors that favor the occurrence of mastitis non-puerperalis are other diseases of the breast, the intake of depot medications for contraception or of sedatives, as well as inverted nipples. The therapy consists of the administration of drugs, which often lead to a quick improvement, but this disease tends to recur.
The treatment depends on how far the inflammation has progressed and can range from cooling the breast, to pumping the milk (see breast milk), to antibiotic therapy and drug inhibition of milk production. Breastfeeding must be avoided during this time. Inflammation of the breast rarely occurs outside the puerperium and is called mastitis non-puerperalis.
In recent years, however, this disease has increased considerably, and there is no clear explanation for this at the moment. The symptoms are the same as for mastitis puerperalis, only fever occurs less frequently. Factors that favor the occurrence of mastitis non-puerperalis are other diseases of the breast, the intake of depot medications for contraception or of sedatives, as well as inverted nipples. The therapy consists of the administration of drugs, which often lead to a quick improvement, but this disease tends to recur.
