Macromasty | Benign breast tumours

Macromasty

Macromastia is a pronounced enlargement of the breast. One breast can weigh over 400g. If this extremely large breast leads to psychological or orthopaedic problems, a breast reduction (mamma reduction plastic surgery) is indicated.

Cyst in the breast

A cyst within the breast often develops at the beginning of the menopause (perimenopausal = in the menopause) and develops due to a backlog of secretions. SymptomsBy palpating the breast, a bulging, non-painful lump can be palpated. Otherwise there are no other symptoms.

DiagnosticsThe best way to diagnose a breast cyst is by ultrasound. An echo-free structure with a clearly defined border can be presented. TherapyTo exclude a malignancy, the cyst is punctured and the puncture is examined cytologically.

If the benignity is confirmed, this therapy is sufficient. If malignancy is suspected, the cyst is removed completely by surgery. Another type of cyst is the so-called oil cyst.

This can develop after surgery, radiation therapy or other traumas. These are destroyed fat cells that can accumulate in the form of a cyst. Overall, a cyst does not represent an increased risk of breast cancer.

Lipoma in the breast

A lipoma is an encapsulated soft tumor of mature fat cells surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue. A lipoma is usually palpable and does not usually cause pain or other clinical symptoms. There is also no increased risk of degeneration. A lipoma is not only a tumour that occurs on the breast, but wherever there are fat cells.

Ductectasia

Duktectasia is an inflammatory process that occurs more frequently and leads to dilation of the milk ducts. The occurrence of ductectasia has been observed mainly from the age of 40. In this case, the therapy of choice for ductectasia is the removal of the affected tissue area.

Phylloides tumors

A phylloides tumor is very rare and consists of connective and glandular tissue. The connective tissue predominates. These changes are mostly benign, but there is also a malignant form.

The malignant form of the phylloid tumour is the cystosarcoma phylloides. This is a fast growing fibroadenoma. The stromal cells here grow exceedingly fast.

Often this tumour has extensions into the surrounding area and can grow up to 30cm in size. For this reason, the phylloides tumour should always be removed completely by surgery with a large safety margin. Often a complete removal of the affected breast (mastectomy) is necessary because the tumour is too large.

If metastasis has occurred, surgical removal is followed by radiation or systemic therapy. If the tumour is not completely removed, there is a high recurrence rate (recurrence of phylloid tumour).