Benign Breast Diseases

Breast cancer, which is a feared disease, is a current issue that always attracts attention. However, the incidence of benign diseases of the breast is higher than breast cancer.

• Some of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and benign diseases of the breast are common. Therefore, it is necessary to be careful in the differential diagnosis.
• Breast cysts
• Fibroadenoma
• Breast infections
• Ductal ectasia
• Intraductal papilloma
• Fat necrosis
• Phyllodes tumor (Cystosarcoma phyllodes)

Breast Cysts

• It is the most common problem in the breast.
• It is more common in women between the ages of 30 and menopause.
• It may be a single cyst, or it may consist of many cysts, large and small, within the breast tissue.
• It is usually located in the upper-outer quadrant of the breast, but it can affect the entire breast tissue and cause complaints in both breasts at the same time.
• Breast cysts may be accompanied by breast pain.
• It usually does not require treatment, it can be monitored.
• Large cysts that bother the patient can rarely be drained with a needle. However, this is not an intervention with a permanent effect; can repeat.

Fibroadenoma

• It is the most common disease of the breast after breast cysts.
• It is not cancer and almost never turns into cancer.
• It is more common during adolescence and in young women.
• There may be multiple fibroadenomas in the same breast or in both breasts at the same time.
• On examination, it is palpated as smooth, mobile, firm masses with smooth borders.
• Usually 2-3 cm. they are wide; Rarely, it can reach very large diameters and cause asymmetry in the breast.
• If the presence of the mass bothers the patient, it can be removed. However, there is no medical need for their removal; they can be tracked.

Breast Infections

• They are microbial infections of breast tissue.
• It occurs mostly due to cracks in the nipple during breastfeeding (lactation).
• There are signs of infection in the breast, such as stiffness, redness, pain and increased skin temperature.
• If there is no abscess yet, only signs of infection, antibiotic treatment can be applied.
• If the abscess has developed, it must be drained (emptied). This procedure can be done with a needle in some cases, and sometimes it may require open surgical drainage. In all cases, antibiotic therapy should be continued for a long time.

Ductal Ectasia

• It is the enlargement of the milk ducts located under the nipple.
• It may cause a light-colored, liquid-like discharge from the nipple.
• On examination, a firm mass under the nipple may be palpable.
• It usually does not require treatment. Rarely, this area may need to be removed for treatment.

Intraductal Papilloma

• They are benign tumors that form in the milk ducts behind the nipple.
• It is often seen in middle-aged women.
• May cause nipple discharge.
• The discharge can be very different (yellow, dark green or brown in color, or cloudy or bloody).
• When necessary, it is surgically removed together with the milk duct in which it is located.

Fat Necrosis

• It is a benign breast disease with clinical examination and mammography findings most similar to breast cancer.
• It is mostly seen in older women and breasts rich in adipose tissue.
• Causes such as trauma and infection can cause fat necrosis.
• It can be considered as a hard mass with unclear boundaries. May cause irritation of breast skin.
• Microcalcifications can be seen on mammography.
• It is a benign breast disease with clinical examination and mammography findings most similar to breast cancer.

Phyllodes Tumor (Cystosarcoma phyllodes)

• The majority (such as fibroadenomas) are benign tumors.
• It can grow very quickly but is often benign.
• There are also rare malignant forms.
• On examination, it is palpated as a firm and mobile mass.
• Removing a small amount of normal breast tissue from the surrounding of the benign ones is sufficient for the treatment.