A breast tumor

Such pathology as breast tumor has a very broad classification and is divided into benign and malignant. A benign tumor is characterized by slow growth and lack of penetration into nearby tissues.

At present, it is not fully understood which tumors can degenerate into cancer. A benign breast tumor can be successfully treated if the disease is not neglected.

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Forms

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Benign breast tumor

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Fibroadenoma

This type of neoplasm is more common among females aged twenty to thirty-five years, and is characterized by slow growth and clearly defined boundaries. When palpated, a mobile, rounded formation resembling a ball is felt. Hormonal imbalances in the body and trauma to the female breast can cause fibroadenoma. The usual form of fibroadenoma, unlike the leaf-shaped form, rarely degenerates into cancer. The disease can be diagnosed using mammography and ultrasound examination, and treatment is surgical.

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Intraductal papilloma

Characterized by discomfort or pain when pressing, may be accompanied by discharge from the nipple - transparent, as well as brown or green, sometimes bloody. For diagnosis, ductography is performed - a contrast agent is injected into the milk ducts and an X-ray is taken. To eliminate the papilloma, surgical intervention is prescribed.

Cyst

This is a benign tumor of the mammary gland with liquid contents, which develops if the outflow of breast secretion is disrupted. The symptoms of the disease are weakly expressed; various diagnostic studies are carried out to identify the cyst. Most often, cysts appear in women aged thirty to forty years. The risk group includes, first of all, women who have not given birth.

The causes of such a neoplasm as a cyst are hormonal problems, which sometimes occur when taking contraceptives, as well as genetic predisposition. Treatment depends on the size of the neoplasm. Often, you can get rid of a cyst using conservative treatment methods. In this case, a puncture of the cyst is performed using a thin needle, after which the liquid contents are removed from its cavity. Then air is pumped into the capsule, which helps the cyst cells grow together. During treatment, drugs are also prescribed to normalize hormonal levels and improve immunity.

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Lipoma

A benign neoplasm consisting of fatty tissue, characterized by slow growth rates, is relatively rare. Painful sensations are usually absent, discomfort may be felt. Nodular lipomas surrounded by a capsule are most common. Diffuse lipomas are less common, the fatty tissues around them grow without a capsule. Ultrasound and mammography are prescribed for diagnosis. Treatment is surgical.

Malignant tumor of the mammary gland

Malignant tumors are often solitary, solid, and painless. In most cases, they form from milk ducts and glands and are located in the upper outer quadrant of the female breast.

Unlike benign neoplasms, malignant tumors progress rapidly and can extend beyond the mammary glands. The causes of such formations have not been fully studied, but the following are considered to be potential risk factors:

• genetic predisposition
• late first birth or no birth
• early onset of menstruation (before age thirteen), late menopause (after age fifty-five)
• age over fifty years
• chronic pathologies of the genital organs
• abortions
• taking hormonal drugs
• severe psychological trauma;
• eating foods high in calories and fat

Breast cancer in the early stages looks like a small formation up to two centimeters in size, located directly in the breast. Timely detection of the tumor and the necessary treatment give women the opportunity to preserve their health. If the disease is neglected, the breast tumor becomes large, affecting the axillary and supraclavicular lymph nodes.

Every woman should conduct a self-examination of her breasts. If you find any changes, contact a mammologist immediately. To diagnose tumors, mammography, ultrasound, puncture and excisional biopsy with morphological examination of the tumor material are performed.

Basic methods of self-examination:

1. Stand in front of a mirror, put your hands behind your head and see if your breasts are evenly spaced, if there is swelling, folds, rashes on the skin, nipple retraction, or deformation. Then tighten your chest muscles and conduct a second examination, placing your hands on your hips. Carefully examine your nipples and, by gently pressing on each of them, make sure there is no bloody discharge. If there is transparent discharge or any tint, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
2. Self-examination is also recommended to be performed under the shower with wet and soapy skin. Raise one arm and gently feel the gland with rotational movements, starting from the center of the armpit.
3. The examination should also be carried out in a lying position. Place a pillow under the shoulder so that the mammary gland becomes flat. Raise one arm up, while making progressive movements with the other hand, starting from the armpit area. Adjust the force of pressure, first making light, then deeper rotational movements.

A breast tumor should never be ignored. Regularly perform self-examination of the breast, if there are any changes in the mammary gland, be sure to contact a mammologist.