Breast diseases make up a number of conditions. The most common symptoms are a
breast mass
A breast mass, also known as a breast lump, is a localized swelling that feel different from the surrounding tissue. Breast pain, nipple discharge, or skin changes may be present. Concerning findings include masses that are hard, do not move e ...
,
breast pain, and
nipple discharge
Nipple discharge is fluid from the nipple, with or without squeezing the breast. The discharge can be milky, clear, green, purulent, bloody, or faintly yellow. The consistency can be thick, thin, sticky, or watery.
Nipple discharge may be norma ...
.
A majority of breast diseases are noncancerous.
Tumor
A breast tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue in the
breast
The breast is one of two prominences located on the upper ventral region of a primate's torso. Both females and males develop breasts from the same embryological tissues.
In females, it serves as the mammary gland, which produces and sec ...
as a result of
neoplasia
A neoplasm () is a type of abnormal and excessive growth of tissue. The process that occurs to form or produce a neoplasm is called neoplasia. The growth of a neoplasm is uncoordinated with that of the normal surrounding tissue, and persists ...
. A breast neoplasm may be
benign
Malignancy () is the tendency of a medical condition to become progressively worse.
Malignancy is most familiar as a characterization of cancer. A ''malignant'' tumor contrasts with a non-cancerous ''benign'' tumor in that a malignancy is not s ...
, as in
fibroadenoma
Fibroadenomas are benign breast tumours characterized by an admixture of stromal and epithelial tissue. Breasts are made of lobules (milk producing glands) and ducts (tubes that carry the milk to the nipple). These are surrounded by glandula ...
, or it may be
malignant
Malignancy () is the tendency of a medical condition to become progressively worse.
Malignancy is most familiar as a characterization of cancer. A ''malignant'' tumor contrasts with a non-cancerous ''benign'' tumor in that a malignancy is not s ...
, in which case it is termed
breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer that develops from breast tissue. Signs of breast cancer may include a lump in the breast, a change in breast shape, dimpling of the skin, milk rejection, fluid coming from the nipple, a newly inverted nipple, or a r ...
. Either case commonly presents as a
breast lump
A breast mass, also known as a breast lump, is a localized swelling that feel different from the surrounding tissue. Breast pain, nipple discharge, or skin changes may be present. Concerning findings include masses that are hard, do not move e ...
. Approximately 7% of breast lumps are fibroadenomas and 10% are breast cancer, the rest being other benign conditions or no disease.
[Page 739 in: 8th edition.]
Phyllodes tumor
Phyllodes tumors (from Greek: ''phullon'' leaf), also cystosarcoma phyllodes, cystosarcoma phylloides and phylloides tumor, are typically large, fast-growing masses that form from the periductal stromal cells of the breast. They account for less th ...
is a fibroepithelial tumor which can be benign, borderline or malignant.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer of the breast tissues, most commonly arising from the milk ducts. Worldwide, breast cancer is the leading type of cancer in women, accounting for 25% of all cases.
It is most common in women over age 50.
Signs of breast cancer may include a
lump
Lump may refer to:
* "Lump" (song), a 1995 song by The Presidents of the United States of America
* ''Lump'' (compilation album), a 2000 best-of album by The Presidents of the United States of America
* Lump (dog), a dog who inspired Pablo Pica ...
in the breast, a change in breast shape,
dimpling
A dimple, also called a gelasin (, ) is a small natural indentation in the flesh on a part of the human body, most notably in the cheek. Numerous cultures believe that cheek dimples are a good luck charm that entices people who perceive them as ...
of the skin, fluid coming from the nipple, a newly inverted nipple, or a red or scaly patch of skin.
Diagnosis may also be made when the cancer is asymptomatic, through
breast cancer screening
Breast cancer screening is the medical screening of asymptomatic, apparently healthy women for breast cancer in an attempt to achieve an earlier diagnosis. The assumption is that early detection will improve outcomes. A number of screening test ...
programs, such as
mammogram
Mammography (also called mastography) is the process of using low-energy X-rays (usually around 30 Peak kilovoltage, kVp) to examine the human breast for diagnosis and screening. The goal of mammography is the early detection of breast cancer, ty ...
s. Outcomes for breast cancer vary depending on the cancer type,
extent of disease, and person's age.
Survival rates in the
developed world
A developed country (or industrialized country, high-income country, more economically developed country (MEDC), advanced country) is a sovereign state that has a high quality of life, developed economy and advanced technological infrastruct ...
are high,
with between 80% and 90% of those in England and the United States
alive for at least 5 years.
Fibrocystic breast changes
Also called: fibrocystic breast disease, chronic cystic mastitis, diffuse cystic mastopathy, mammary dysplasia
Infections and inflammations
These may be caused among others by trauma, secretory stasis/milk engorgement, hormonal stimulation, infections or autoimmune reactions.
Repeated occurrence unrelated to lactation requires endocrinological examination.
* bacterial mastitis
* mastitis from milk engorgement or secretory
stasis
* mastitis
* chronic
subareolar abscess Also called Zuska's disease (only nonpuerperal case), subareolar abscess is a subcutaneous abscess of the breast tissue beneath the areola of the nipple. It is a frequently aseptic inflammation and has been associated with squamous metaplasia of ...
*
tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease usually caused by '' Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Most infections show no symptoms, i ...
of the breast
*
syphilis of the breast
* retromammary
abscess
*
actinomycosis
Actinomycosis is a rare infectious bacterial disease caused by ''Actinomyces'' species. The name refers to ray-like appearance of the organisms in the granules. About 70% of infections are due to either '' Actinomyces israelii'' or '' A. gerencser ...
of the breast
*
duct ectasia syndrome The term nonpuerperal mastitis describes inflammatory lesions of the breast (mastitis) that occur unrelated to pregnancy and breastfeeding.
It is sometimes equated with duct ectasia, but other forms can be described.
Types
Duct ectasia—periduct ...
*
breast engorgement
Breast engorgement occurs in the mammary glands due to expansion and pressure exerted by the synthesis and storage of breast milk. It is also a main factor in altering the ability of the infant to latch-on. Engorgement changes the shape and cu ...
Other breast conditions
*
Mondor's disease
Mondor's disease is a rare condition which involves thrombophlebitis of the superficial veins of the breast and anterior chest wall. It sometimes occurs in the arm or penis. In axilla, this condition is known as axillary web syndrome.
Patients w ...
*
Paget's disease of the breast
Paget's disease of the breast is a type of cancer that outwardly may have the appearance of eczema, with skin changes involving the nipple of the breast. The condition is an uncommon disease accounting for 1 to 4.3% of all breast cancers and was ...
*
nipple discharge
Nipple discharge is fluid from the nipple, with or without squeezing the breast. The discharge can be milky, clear, green, purulent, bloody, or faintly yellow. The consistency can be thick, thin, sticky, or watery.
Nipple discharge may be norma ...
,
galactorrhea
Galactorrhea ( also spelled galactorrhoea) ( galacto- + -rrhea) or lactorrhea ( lacto- + -rrhea) is the spontaneous flow of milk from the breast, unassociated with childbirth or nursing.
Galactorrhea is reported to occur in 5–32% of women. M ...
*
breast cyst
A breast cyst is a cyst, a fluid-filled sac, within the breast. One breast can have one or more cysts. They are often described as round or oval lumps with distinct edges. In texture, a breast cyst usually feels like a soft grape or a water-filled ...
*
mastalgia
Breast pain is the symptom of discomfort in either one or both breasts. Pain in both breasts is often described as ''breast tenderness'', is usually associated with the menstrual period and is not serious. Pain that involves only one part of a b ...
*
galactocoele
See also
*
Mammary gland
A mammary gland is an exocrine gland in humans and other mammals that produces milk to feed young offspring. Mammals get their name from the Latin word ''mamma'', "breast". The mammary glands are arranged in organs such as the breasts in pri ...
References
Further reading
*
External links
{{Diseases of the breast
Breast diseases
Breast diseases make up a number of conditions. The most common symptoms are a breast mass, breast pain, and nipple discharge.
A majority of breast diseases are noncancerous.
Tumor
A breast tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue in the breast as a ...