2- Benign breast conditions Flashcards
Benign breast conditions
Inflammatory disease
- Mastitis
- Breast cysts
- Mammary duct ectasia
- Fat necrosis
Benign tumours
- Papilloma
- Lipoma
- Adenoma
- Fibroadenoma
- Phyllodes tumour
Gynaecomastia
- hormonal
- drug induced e.g. spironolacton
breast cysts background
Cysts are epithelial lined fluid-filled cavities, which form when lobules become distended due to blockage. Common cause of breast masses.
breast cycst risk factors
perimenopausal
presentation of breast cysts
Singular or multiple lumps affecting one or both breasts
Cysts:
- Smooth
- Distinct (non tethered)
- May be tender
Investigation for breast cyst
- Mammography- halo shaped
- US offers definitive diagnosis
Management of breast cysts
- Most require no further management and self resolve
- Persisting , symptomatic or undeterminable cystic masses may be aspirated -> cancer may be excluded if the fluid is free of blood or the lump disappears (otherwise send for cytology)
Cyclical pain related to breast cysts treated with
high dose gamolenic acid (GLA) or danazol
Complications of breast cysts
- 2% of patients with cysts have carcinoma at presentation
o Patient with cysts also have 2-3 times greater risk of developing breast cancer in the future - Fibro adenosis (fibrocystic changes) caused by multiple small cysts and fibrotic area
o Tender and cause asymmetry
Mastitis
Inflammation of breast tissue (can be acute or chronic).
Classed by lactation status
- Lactational mastitis (most common)
- Non-lactational mastitis (less common)
Lactational mastitis (more common)
- 1/3 of breastfeeding women- during first 3 months
- Associated with cracked nipples and milk stasis
- More common with first child
Non-lactational mastitis (less common)
- In women with other conditions e.g. duct ectasia, as a peri-ductal mastitis
- Tobacco smoking is an important RF
- Causes damaged to sub-areolar duct walls – predisposing to bacterial infection
Cause of mastitis
- Infection e.g. S.Aureus
- Granulomatous
Presentation of mastitis
- Tenderness
- Swelling/ induration
- Erythema
- Ensure there is no abscess formation
management of lactational mastitis
Conservative
- Continued breastfeeding, expressing milk and breast massage.
- Heat packs, warm showers and simple analgesia can help symptoms
Medical- if infection suspected e..g high temp
- Flucloxacillin is first line, or erythromycin if allergic to penicillin. A sample of milk can be sent to the lab for culture and sensitivities. Fluconazole may be used for suspected candidal infections.
If persistent or multiple areas of infection
- Cabergoline (dopamine agonist) to cause cessation of breast feeding
complication of mastitis
Breast abscess
Breast abscess
Background
- Collection of pus within breast lined granulation tissue- most commonly developing from acute mastitis
Presentation
- Tender fluctuant and erythematous masses, with a punctum potentially present
- Systemic features inc fever and lethargy
Investigation- US
Management
If caught early
- Prompt empirical antibiotics
- US-guided needle therapeutic aspiration
If advanced
- Incision and drainage under local
Complication: formation of mammary duct fistula
Mammary duct ectasia
Duct ectasia is the dilation and shortening of the major lactiferous ducts.
RF mammary duct ectasia
- Menopausal women
Presentation of mammary duct ectasia
- Coloured green/yellow nipple discharge
o Any blood-stained discharge requires triple assessment - Palpable mass
- Nipple retraction
Investigation for mammary duct ectasia
- Mammography
o Dilated calcified ducts without any other features of malignancy - If biopsied: multiple plasma cells on histology- plasma cell mastitis
Management of mammary duct ectasia
- Managed conservatively
- Unless need to exclude malignancy
- Unremitting nipple discharge can be treated with duct excision
Fat necrosis
Fat necrosis is a common condition caused by an acute inflammatory response in the breast due to trauma, leading to ischaemic necrosis of fat lobules.
Causes
- Trauma (blunt) e.g. seatbelt
- Previous surgical or radiological intervention
Fat necrosis
Fat necrosis is a common condition caused by an acute inflammatory response in the breast due to trauma, leading to ischaemic necrosis of fat lobules.
Causes
- Trauma (blunt) e.g. seatbelt
- Previous surgical or radiological intervention
Presentation of fat necrosis
- Asymptomatic or presents as a lump
- Less commonly
o Fluid discharge
o Skin dimpling
o Pain
o Nipple inversion - Solid irregular lump (if acute inflammatory response persist- chronic fibrotic change)
Investigations for fat necrosis
- Fat necrosis may be suggested by a positive traumatic history and/ or hyperechoic (fat content) mass on US
- More developed fibrotic lesions will mimic carcinoma on mammogram- as calcified irregular speculated masses and the solid irregular lump may feel suspicious on palpation
o Core biopsy- to rule out malignancy