What is a benign breast tumor? Common types of benign breast tumors

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Doctor Pham Thi Mai Nhung - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec International Hospital Da Nang.
Breast cancer is a common cancer in women. Besides malignant tumors that lead to cancer, there are several other types of breast tumors that are benign and are not cause for concern if detected, diagnosed, and treated early and appropriately.

1. What is a benign breast tumor?

Benign breast tumors are usually found in the epithelial part of the milk ducts or in the connective and fatty tissues. Common symptoms of benign breast lumps include:
Lumps in the breast that are sometimes uncomfortable, sensitive or painful The lumps are prominent or are thickened areas that tend to blend into the tissue Around the breast Feeling of pain in the whole breast or increased sensitivity Breast lumps that change in size with the menstrual cycle Green or dark brown discharge, no blood oozing naturally from the nipple The change occurs similarity in both breasts Increased breast pain or lumps every month at ovulation or just before menstruation Solid, round, easy-moving lumps. When there are suspicious signs, it is necessary to go to the doctor early to determine the specific pathology of common benign breast tumors in order to have the right intervention measures and proactively prevent bad complications.

2. Common types of benign breast tumors

2.1 Fibroids of the breast (fibromas) A fibroadenoma of the breast is a common tumor that occurs in young women aged 18-20, but women 30 years of age can also have it.
Signs of recognition:
When touching the breast, you will feel a round lump, the size of a peanut, in some cases the size of a jackfruit seed Touching this seed is mobile, usually on one side Sometimes there is a feeling of numbness when it comes to menstrual period. This is a benign tumor, which is easy to detect by examination or ultrasound. Usually, the doctor will operate to remove the tumor or to monitor.
2.2 Breast cysts Breast cysts usually appear in women from the age of 40.
Recognizing signs: When touching the breast, a round and hard lump runs under the finger. There may be a tender feeling in the breast.
After the examination and ultrasound detect the disease, the specialist will inject and suck the fluid, the breast cyst will collapse. This is a benign tumor.
2.3 Nipple discharge This condition occurs due to:
Milk ducts are dilated, inflamed. There is a small benign tumor in the milk duct. This condition is rarely cancerous. Therefore, patients need to be examined in specialized hospitals to properly diagnose the disease.
2.4 Mastitis - Breast Abscess Mastitis, a breast abscess usually occurs in women who give birth to their first child and breastfeed during the first two weeks. At birth, the nipple has young skin, but the baby sucking continuously makes the nipple susceptible to infection, the breast will be hard, hot and painful. In the long run, it is easy to cause breast abscess. This is a benign disturbance.
2.5 Tuberculosis of the breast Tuberculosis of the breast often causes pain and tenderness in the breast even though it is not hot or feverish. There may be pus in many places on the skin of the breast. The disease will be cured with antibiotics because this is a benign breast tumor.
2.6 Fibrocystic breast (cyst change or cystic fibrosis) Cystic fibrosis of the breast is a common benign disorder in women and is diagnosed only by ultrasound. The disease has many levels, sometimes no symptoms, sometimes causing pain. Therefore, people with this disease should have a doctor's follow-up for advice on appropriate treatment.
2.7 Nipple allergy In young girls, the nipple and areola may become itchy and watery. The cause is usually determined to be an allergy to bras.
So just change the bra and clean the udder, wash the nipples clean. This is just a form of allergy that the patient can overcome on his own. In case of need, the doctor will prescribe with a little antibiotic and anti-allergy medicine.
2.8 Hormonal disturbances in girls In children 10-12 years old or younger, one breast often swells up in the middle of the breast, feeling a little painful. Mothers often fear and misunderstand their baby's early puberty. However, parents should not worry because this is just a form of endocrine disturbance in adolescence.
Therefore, it is necessary to go to the doctor to be monitored by a doctor, can take pain relievers according to the instructions of the doctor.
2.9 Gynecomastia In men there is a type of endocrine disturbance called gynecomastia: one breast develops gradually to the size of a woman's breast.
This is a benign breast tumor. Patients can be operated on or treated with endocrine therapy.
2.10 Milk cysts due to blocked milk ducts Usually present in women who are breastfeeding but have blocked milk. The patient feels a little pain and numbness in the breast.
Recognizing signs: the tumor is round to the touch but has a pasty density. This is a benign breast tumor, the doctor will instruct the patient to monitor and continue breastfeeding. After a while, if the cyst does not go away, the doctor may recommend surgery to remove the entire tumor.

2.11 Lymphoma Tumor is a rare disease but can occur in both young and old people. Lymphoma is formed from the epithelial tissue around the lobules, the stroma grows quickly, is easy to recur, in about 20% of cases it is a malignant tumor.
The disease has two forms. If it heals, it is possible to remove the whole breast and save the breast. On the contrary, if it is malignant, it is a special form of cancer.
In addition to regular breast cancer screening to detect breast cancer, women also encounter common types of benign breast lumps. However, it is still necessary to be proactive in early detection for timely diagnosis, identification and treatment to achieve the best treatment results.
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital applies the aspiration treatment of benign breast tumors with the assisted biopsy technique of the ultrasound-guided vacuum suction device (VABB), which has opened up a new direction. overcome the disadvantages of traditional surgical methods. Thanks to this method, instead of having to open surgery to remove the tumor as before, the doctor only needs to insert the needle of the VABB machine to cut the tumor and suck the tumor out. Patients will experience less pain and no scarring. Especially, it does not cause breast deformation, does not require hospitalization. The patient does not need to undergo many incisions to remove the tumor, but only one needle is needed to treat the tumors, even treat many tumors at the same time.
The method has been applied by Vinmec Times City International General Hospital since the end of 2018 to effectively treat and bring satisfaction to patients.

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