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Benign (noncancerous) breast
conditions are very common, and most women will have them at some
point in their lives. These conditions are not life-threatening and
may not need treatment unless symptoms are bothersome, although some
are linked with a higher risk of breast cancer.
About noncancerous breast conditions
Most breast changes are benign. Unlike breast cancers, benign breast
conditions are not life-threatening. But some are linked with a
higher risk of getting breast cancer in the future.
Some benign breast changes may cause signs or symptoms, such as
breast pain, lumps, or nipple discharge. Other changes might be
found during a mammogram. In either case, some changes can be hard
to tell apart from breast cancer. Your health care team may need to
do other exams or tests to make a clear diagnosis.
Adenosis of the Breast
Adenosis is a benign (noncancerous) breast condition in which the
lobules (milk-producing glands) are enlarged, and there are more
glands than usual. Adenosis is often found in breast biopsy samples
of women who have fibrocystic changes in their breasts.
Sclerosing adenosis is a special type of adenosis in which the
enlarged lobules are distorted by scar-like tissue. This type may
cause breast pain.
Duct Ectasia
Duct ectasia, also known as mammary duct ectasia, is a benign
(noncancerous) breast condition. It happens when a milk duct in the
breast widens and its walls thicken. This can cause the duct to
become blocked and lead to fluid build-up. It’s more common in women
in their 40s to 60s, but it can happen at other ages, too.
Fat Necrosis and Oil Cysts in the Breast
Fat necrosis is a benign (noncancerous) breast condition that can
develop when an area of fatty breast tissue is injured. It can also
develop after breast surgery or radiation treatment.
Fibroadenomas of the Breast
Fibroadenomas are common, benign (noncancerous) breast tumors. They
are made up of both glandular tissue and stromal, or connective,
tissue.
Fibroadenomas are most common in women in their 20s and 30s, but
they can be found in women of any age.
Fibrocystic Breast Changes
Some breast lumps turn out to be noncancerous (benign) changes in
fibrous tissue (fibrosis). Other lumps turn out to be cysts. These
together are known as fibrocystic changes. These changes used to be
called fibrocystic disease, but they are common in many women.
Fibrocystic changes are most common in women of child-bearing age,
but they can affect women of any age.
Hyperplasia of the Breast
Hyperplasia happens when the cells that line the lobules
(milk-producing glands) or ducts (small tubes) inside the breast
grow and multiply more than usual. It is not cancer, but some types
of hyperplasia are linked with a higher risk of developing breast
cancer.
Intraductal Papillomas of the Breast
Intraductal papillomas are noncancerous (benign) growths within the
milk ducts that are a common cause of nipple discharge from one
breast. They might also show up on imaging tests such as a
mammogram.
Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS)
Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is a type of breast change that is
often found when a breast biopsy is done for some other reason, such
as to check an area of fibrocystic change. LCIS does not usually
cause symptoms such as a breast lump or show up on mammograms on its
own.
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Mastitis
Mastitis is swelling or inflammation in the breast. It is often
caused by an infection. It is most common when a woman is
breastfeeding, but it can happen at other times as well.
A clogged milk duct that doesn't let milk fully drain from the
breast or breaks in the skin of the nipple can lead to infection.
This causes the body’s white blood cells to release substances to
fight the infection, which can lead to swelling and increased blood
flow.
Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast
Phyllodes tumors are rare breast tumors that start in the connective
(stromal) tissue of the breast. This is different than most other
types of breast cancer, which often start in the ducts or glands.
Most phyllodes tumors are benign (noncancerous). But some can be
malignant (cancer).
Phyllodes tumors are often divided into 3 groups, based on how they
look under a microscope:
• Benign tumors make up more than half of all phyllodes tumors.
These tumors are the least likely to grow quickly and do not spread.
• Borderline tumors have features in between benign and malignant
tumors.
• Malignant, or cancerous, tumors make up about 1 in 4 phyllodes
tumors. These tend to grow the fastest and are the most likely to
spread or to come back after treatment.
Radial Scars
Radial scars are also called complex sclerosing lesions. They’re
most often found when a breast biopsy is done for some other reason.
Sometimes radial scars look like a distortion of the normal breast
tissue on a mammogram.
Other breast changes that are not cancer
Many other types of benign masses and changes can be found in the
breast. None of these conditions raise breast cancer risk. However,
your health care team may need to take a small sample of the tissue
to make sure it doesn’t have any cancer cells and to make a
diagnosis. This is called a biopsy.
Other breast changes that are not cancer include:
• Lipoma: a fatty tumor that can appear almost anywhere in the body,
including the breast. It is usually not painful.
• Hamartoma: a smooth, painless lump formed by the overgrowth of
mature breast cells, which can be made up of fatty, fibrous, or
gland tissues
• Hemangioma: a rare tumor made up of blood vessels
• Hematoma: a collection of blood within the breast caused by
internal bleeding, often due to injury
• Neurofibroma: a tumor made up of nerve cells
• Granular cell tumor: a tumor that starts in early forms of Schwann
cells, which normally surround and help protect nerve cells. These
tumors rarely occur in the breast.
Taken from the American Cancer society website |
