Synonym
- Fibroadenmon
- Fibrosis
- Adenosis
- Epithelial hyperplasia
- Mastopathy
- Milk duct papilloma
- Macromasty
- Cyst
- Lipoma
- Ductectasia
- Phylloid tumor
Benign breast tumors (benign tumors of the breast) are changes in the breast that have no disease value. In order to be able to exclude a malignancy, the lumps should nevertheless always be examined microscopically. There are different types of benign breast tumours, which are described in more detail below. Four types of fibrocystic changes can be distinguished under the microscope:
- Fibroadenmon
- Fibrosis
- Adenosis:
- Epithelial Hyperplasia
Fibroadenoma
The fibroadenoma is the most common cause of benign changes in the breast before menopause (menopause). It is a mixed tumour originating from the lobus. The age peak is between 25 and 40 years.
Taking oral contraceptives (“the pill”) over a longer period of time reduces the risk of a fibroadenoma. Symptoms: A fibroadenoma is a benign and shifting node with a rubbery consistency that does not cause pressure pain. There are no skin lesions on the overlying skin.
In 60% of the cases the node remains smaller than 5cm. Therapy:In order to exclude a malignancy of the node, the tumour is removed and examined under the microscope. If the suspected diagnosis of fibroadenoma is confirmed, no further therapy is necessary.
In this form, the connective tissue part of the breast predominates. This form of benign breast tumour has no disease value and has no effect on the risk of malignant breast cancer. Adenosis is usually a tumour that becomes more prominent during the second half of the cycle.
The cause of this is an increased, hormone-dependent glandular lobule formation. The tumour is usually painful under pressure and palpable as an inhomogeneous lump. The adenosis has a slightly increased risk of degeneration and should therefore be removed and examined histologically, i.e. finely under the microscope.
In epithelial hyperplasia, another form of benign breast tumours, there is an excessive growth of glandular cells. It is possible to differentiate microscopically between forms without abnormalities and those with atypia. Atypical hyperplasia increases the risk of breast cancer 4 to 5 times and should therefore be treated.
Prophylactically, affected women can be administered an anti-estrogen that reduces the probability of breast tumour by 80%. Mastopathy is a reactive remodelling reaction of the female breast and is also a benign breast tumour. In the process, more connective tissue is formed in the breast.
Cell proliferation occurs in the milk ducts and the milk ducts are widened. In the case of a milk duct papilloma, cell proliferation of the milk duct occurs. SymptomsThe patients report bloody or serous discharge from the nipple (nipple), which then leads to further examination.
Such findings are not palpable and there are no other abnormalities. DiagnosticsA mammary duct papilloma cannot be detected in ultrasound or mammography. Even a doctor cannot palpate these findings.
For this reason, galactography must be performed if a milk duct papilloma is suspected. This is a radiological imaging of the milk ducts using a contrast medium. This reveals breaks in the milk duct and gaps in the lumen of the duct. TherapyThe milk duct has to be removed for treatment and visualised with a blue colour solution and then examined histologically.
