What are benign breast tumors?
Some women discover a lump in their breast themselves, while showering, applying cream or during their monthly self-examination. The doctor will find other changes during the breast examination. Many changes are benign and do not increase your risk of breast cancer.
Benign breast lumps predominantly occur at a younger age. In most cases, these are fibroadenomas, which develop from glandular and connective tissue. If the findings are clearly benign, it is sufficient to observe the lump and check it regularly. However, if the finding grows quickly, becomes large and disturbing, histological confirmation and, if necessary, surgical removal should be discussed.
Benign breast tumors: causes and risk factors
Benign breast tumors are usually harmless lumps whose causes are not yet fully understood. Hormonal changes probably play a role in its development. Fibroadenomas, for example, mainly develop before the age of 40. It is suspected that an imbalance of female hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) is one of the causes.
A palpation finding is often based on a cyst (accumulation of water in the milk duct). Doctors distinguish between the following benign breast tumors:
Fibroadenomas
Three quarters of all cases of benign lumps in the breast are fibroadenomas. They are caused by a proliferation of glandular and connective tissue, usually between the ages of 20 and 40, i.e. after puberty and before the menopause. Juvenile fibroadenoma is a special form that can occur as early as puberty.
Lipomas
Lipomas also mostly affect younger women. These are slow-growing tumors of adipose tissue cells. They are often soft and rarely interfere.
Phylloid tumor (cystosarcoma phylloides)
Like fibroadenomas, phylloid tumors develop from connective tissue. The phylloid tumor is rather rare, grows quickly and can become very large. It has the potential to develop into a malignant tumor. Surgical removal is therefore recommended. Phylloid tumors tend to form again in the course of time, which is why follow-up checks of the breast are also necessary.
Intraductal papilloma (mammary duct papilloma)
The intraductal papilloma develops in the milk ducts, the layer of tissue that lines the milk ducts. Papillomas usually form during the menopause between the ages of 40 and 50. These small growths in the milk ducts are often located below the nipple but can also develop in other parts of the breast.
Adenomas of the breast (mamma) and nipple (nipple)
Adenomas of the breast and mammary gland are very rare. They develop from glandular tissue, generally grow very slowly and are usually no more than a few centimeters in size.
Symptoms: Benign breast lumps often appear in young women
Symptoms of fibroadenoma
The fibroadenoma appears as a coarse, well-defined lump that is usually not painful. It grows slowly and can grow from a few millimeters to several centimeters in size. You can usually feel the hard lump yourself. If you are very slim and the fibroadenoma is located directly under the skin, it may become visible as a swelling. If you develop a fibroadenoma during pregnancy, the change in the glandular tissue of the breast may cause inflammation and pain.
Symptoms of lipoma
Lipomas do not cause any noticeable symptoms. They are soft to the touch, usually remain small and are rarely visible under the skin.
Symptoms of the phylloid tumor
A phylloid tumor often grows rapidly.
Symptoms of intraductal papilloma
Intraductal papillomas are usually not palpable. Typical is a milk-like secretion (fluid discharge from the nipple), which occurs spontaneously. Occasionally it is also brownish or bloody.
Symptoms of adenoma of the nipple
The adenoma is usually no bigger than a pea and can be felt as a hardening in the areola area.
Benign breast tumors: Diagnosis by us
Benign breast tumors are much more common than breast cancer. You will usually feel the lump in your breast by chance or during your monthly breast self-examination. In any case, you should consult your gynecologist if you have any new findings or complaints. You will first be asked about the nature of the lump, for example whether it has changed or how quickly it has grown.
Imaging procedures such as ultrasound (sonography) or an additional mammogram give an impression of the location, shape and size of the lump. A tissue sample (biopsy) can rule out a malignant tumor if this appears necessary. In an ultrasound-guided biopsy, for example, tissue is removed with a thin needle under local anesthesia and ultrasound guidance. This does not cause any pain and takes a few minutes.
Additional examinations are sometimes necessary, such as an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to further clarify symptoms such as unclear secretions from the nipple or suspected papillomas.
Benign breast tumors: prevention, early detection, prognosis
There is no known behavior that could reduce the development of benign breast tumors and prevent tumors. However, breast self-examination appears to be a sensible option. If you discover a lump, your gynecologist should clarify whether it is benign or malignant. If you have benign breast tumors that have not been surgically removed, your doctor will recommend regular check-ups.
Prognosis of benign breast tumors
Benign breast tumors have a favorable course and therefore a good prognosis. This is because they usually grow slowly and do not destroy adjacent tissue. In contrast to malignant breast tumors, they also do not form metastases (offshoots).
Papillomas are benign tumors. However, as there may be cell changes in the vicinity of papillomas, there is a risk of underestimating an early form of breast cancer, known as ductal in situ carcinoma (DCIS). Papillomas should therefore be removed and the tissue sample examined.
Therapy: Often no treatment is necessary
If you have a small benign tumor in your breast that does not cause any symptoms, it is usually sufficient to observe it and have it checked by your gynecologist. If there is a significant increase in size and symptoms, a biopsy should be performed and the findings removed if necessary.