Nodules are formations that can appear in the breasts to signify various benign and malignant entities. Given the high media coverage that has been given to breast self-examination, more and more cases are detected, which in the past went unnoticed due to ignorance of women in having these explorations often. It is convenient to clarify that not every nodule in the breasts is cancer. However, detecting any nodule forces its exclusion as a probable diagnosis through different tests and exploration by the doctor.
In this FastlyHealarticle, we will review why nodules appear in the breasts, their types, and their treatment indicated in each case.
Table of Contents
Why do breast nodules appear – leading causes
There are four leading causes of the appearance of nodules in the breasts, which constitute the different types of these, as we will see later.
- Infections
- Trauma
- Benign tumors.
- Malignant tumors (cancer).
The types of breast nodules that will appear in each of these cases will have particular characteristics, as we will see in the next section.
Types of nodules in the breasts
Depending on the origin of the mammary nodule, different types of nodules occur in the breasts.
Infections
Infections can appear in the form of nodules in the breast tissue. The condition of the breast is generically called Mastitis. In this other FastlyHealarticle, we talk about Mastitis, its causes, and treatment.
An abscess can also occur at the breast level due to an infectious process, just as it can happen in any other area of your body. In general, they manifest as a palpable mass that can be hard or tender, accompanied by pain, and that can cause discoloration on the surface of the breast, and that may or may not cause fever.
Trauma to the breast
Trauma can occur by various mechanisms (direct blows, minor wounds or trauma from taking a biopsy, etc.). In any case, a blood vessel may rupture, causing the formation of a hematoma that will later be detected as a nodule. In the breast, painful or not.
Trauma can lead to a sequela called traumatic fat necrosis, which around mobile, complicated nodule forms that are painless.
Benign breast lumps
Benign breast lumps take three forms:
- Fibroadenomas: which are hard lumps, usually painless, with a smooth and regular surface, which appear in women under 35 years of age or during pregnancy.
- Breast cysts: Cysts are benign fluid-filled formations usually in women over 35 years of age.
- Fibrocystic changes: irregular surface formations in women with high sensitivity to hormonal changes.
- Intraductal papillomas: are warty formations that appear in the mammary ducts very close to the nipple.
Malignant tumors (breast cancer)
Malignant tumors can appear in the breast, characterized for the most part by being painless and causing retraction of the skin that is above them, even causing secretion of various colors or blood through the nipple.
This other article explains breast cancer, its types, symptoms, and treatment.
Treatment of nodules in the breasts
Treatment will depend, of course, on the cause. These are the most common treatments for breast or breast nodules according to their origin:
- According to the extent thereof, the infections will merit antibiotics orally or via a vein. Local heat, hot showers, and massage help improve symptoms during symptoms.
- The abscesses may require surgical drainage thereof to allow exit of the purulent discharge accumulated and allow the action of antibiotics.
- The fibroadenomas require surgical removal preventive, therefore may hinder subsequent differential diagnosis with cancer.
- Cysts and fibrocystic formations, in general, do not require surgery but rather an observation of their evolution since they often remit spontaneously. Surgery would be indicated in cases of persistent pain or deformation of the breast. Here you can learn more about Treatments for breast cysts.
- Breast cancer requires surgical resolution, depending on the stage at which the diagnosis and then intervention, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy is administered.
Before detecting any nodule in the breasts, immediate consultation with your doctor is mandatory, who will request the necessary studies to confirm a diagnosis and establish the treatment plan to follow.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Nodules in the breasts: why they come out, types and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Female reproductive system.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.