Breast cysts Flashcards
FIbroadenoma
Common in women under 30
‘Breast mice’ as they are discrete, non-tender, highly mobile lumps
Non-cancerous and not usually associated with increased risk of developing breast cancer
Fibroadenosis
Most common in middle-aged women
‘Lumpy’ breasts which may be painful
Symptoms may worsen prior to menstruation
Wear supportive bra, NSAIDs, avoid caffeine, apply heat to area
Mammary duct ectasia
Dilatation of the large breast ducts
Most common around menopause
May present with tender lump around areola +/- green nipple discharge
If ruptures may cause local inflammation (plasma cell mastitis)
Duct papilloma
Local areas of epithelial proliferation in large mammary ducts
Hyperplastic lesions rather than malignant or premalignant
May present with blood stained discharge
Fat necrosis
More common in obese women with larger breasts
May follow trivial or unnoticed trauma
Initial inflammatory response, lesion is typically firm and round but may develop into hard, irregular breast lump
Rare and may mimic breast cancer
Histology may be required to confirm diagnosis
Breast abscess
More common in lactating women
Red, hot tender swelling
Lipoma
Benign tumour of adipose tissue
Soft, painless, mobile, do not cause skin changes
Galactocele
Breast milk filled cysts that occur when lactiferous duct is blocked
Firm, mobile, painless lump usually beneath areola
Benign and resolve without any treatment
Phyllodes tumour
Rare tumours of connective tissue of breast
Most common age 40 to 50
Large and fast-growing
Can be benign, borderline or malignant
Surgical removal of tumour and surrounding tissue
Breast cyst
Smooth discrete lump (may be fluctuant)
Small increased risk of breast cancer (especially if younger)
Aspirate
If blood stained or persistently refill should be biopsied or excised
Sclerosing adenosis
Breast lump or breast pain
Mammogramic change may mimic carcinoma
Cause distortion of the distal lobular unit without hyperplasia
No increased risk in malignancy
Duct ectasia
Nipple discharge, which may be from single or multiple ducts
Discharge often thick and green
Normal varient of breast involution
Periductal mastitis
Present at younger age than duct ectasia
Features of inflammation, abscess or mammary duct fistula
Strongly associated with smoking
Usually treated with antibiotics, abscess will require drainage
Intraductal papilloma
Growth of papilloma in single duct
Usually presents with clear or blood stained discharge originating from single duct
No increase in risk of malignancy
