What is a breast lesion?
A breast lesion refers to an area of abnormal breast tissue. These are relatively common findings. In fact, it’s estimated that at least 20 percent of females may develop breast lesions, though males may also be affected.
A doctor may discover a breast lesion during an imaging test, such as a routine mammogram, or an ultrasound that was initially ordered for another reason. A doctor or nurse may also discover a breast lesion during a physical exam.
In some cases, breast lesions may be self-detected. You might feel an unusual lump or bump during a monthly breast self-examination. Depending on the type of lesion, such abnormal areas of breast tissue may feel rubbery or firm to the touch. Sometimes a breast lesion may cause pain, along with skin changes and nipple discharge.
If you detect any lumps, pain, or other changes in your breasts, it’s important to talk with a doctor right away. They may order additional diagnostic exams, such as imaging tests, to help determine whether the lesion is cancerous (malignant), and if treatment is required.
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Are breast lesions cancerous?
While a doctor will certainly want to rule out cancer, the good news is that most breast lesions are noncancerous (benign), especially in females under the age of 35.
Sometimes noncancerous breast lesions may cause pain, changes in tissues, and nipple discharge. Also, while these benign lesions are unlikely to be life threateningTrusted Source, your doctor may monitor them for possible signs of malignancy in the future.
Examples of benign breast conditions includeTrusted Source:
Adenosis: which may cause larger and more numerous milk-producing glands called lobules
Duct ectasia: which enlarges the milk ducts
Ductal/lobular hyperplasia: which may cause the overgrowth of duct or lobule cells
Fat necrosis: a type of scar tissue that may develop after an injury or trauma
Fibroadenoma: a common type of lesion made up of connective and glandular breast tissues
Fibrocystic changes: which can occur within fibrous breast tissues
Intraductal papilloma: a type of benign wart-like growth in the milk ducts
Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS): which involves the growth of cancerous cells outside lobular tissues that don’t make their way past their cellular walls
Mastitis: a type of breast infection
Phyllodes tumor: which begins within connective tissues rather than the glands or ducts
Radial scars: which don’t cause symptoms, but may show upTrusted Source during diagnostic testing for other breast conditions
Can noncancerous lesions develop into cancer?
While most cases of benign breast lesions do not become cancerous, sclerosing adenosis carries up to two times the risk of future malignancy. LCIS may also increase your riskTrusted Source of future breast cancer.
Possible signs of malignancy may include irregular shape or margins, which are typically highlighted on imaging tests. Cancerous breast lumps tend to be more common in females who are either perimenopausal or postmenopausal, though breast cancer may develop in other cases.
Also, it’s important to know that benign growths tend to be referred to as lesions, while cancerous growths in the breast are called carcinomas.
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