Benign breast disease

Benign breast disease

Pronunciation

Beh-NINE brest dih-ZEEZ

Definition

Benign breast disease is a term used to refer to not just one condition but a group of conditions. As the name suggests, these are disorders of the breast that are not cancerous.

Histopathology of stromal fibrosis of the breast

Incidence

It is a very common finding in women, with about 1 million women diagnosed just in the United States annually. As many as half of all women may have fibrocystic breast changes at some point in their lives.

Breast anatomy and physiology

The breasts are complex organs which respond to hormones that cause the tissue to develop, enlarge and produce milk. The three major hormones affecting the breast are estrogen, progesterone and prolactin, which cause glandular tissue in the breast and the uterus to change during the menstrual cycle. These changes also vary based on the menstrual cycle. During early part of menarche, these changes can produce juvenile breast hypertrophy and rarely unilateral or bilateral macromastia.

Pathophysiology

• In these conditions, there are changes in breast tissue such as fibrocystic breast disease, hyperplasia, breast cysts, fibroadenomas, intraductal papillomas, Mammary duct ectasia, traumatic fat necrosis etc.
• These are characterized by an increase in the number of cells or by the growth of abnormal cells in the breast ducts or lobes.

Breast fibroadenoma, ultrasound

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of benign breast disease include irregular lumps or cysts, breast swelling or discomfort, skin redness or thickening, and nipple discharge.

Breast MRI

Risk of cancer

By definition, these are not cancerous. Also, most benign breast conditions do not increase the risk of future breast cancer.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is usually with a combination of history, physical examination and imaging studies, with biopsy as the last resort option.

• Diagnostic mammography
• Ultrasound
• MRI (also called Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
• Ductography (also called a galactography)

Biopsy is needed when there is suspicion of cancer

• Core needle biopsy
• Surgical biopsy
• Vacuum-assisted biopsy

Treatment

Treatment depends on the underlying diagnosis, the patient's condition, other medical problems and most do not need any treatment. Although these changes are not usually treated, if the pain is significant, you may need pain medicine, apply heat or ice compresses, and/or wear a tighter fitting bra.

Other names

These are also called mammary dysplasia. Latest articles - Benign breast disease

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