Benign Breast Disease Denver
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"Benign breast disease" is a term used to describe several different non cancerous conditions of the breast, such as irregular lumps, cysts, and breast discomfort, which may be related to
hormone fluctuations. (Benign means non-cancerous and malignant means cancerous.) A number of other non-cancerous conditions not related to hormonal fluctuations may also fall under the heading of benign breast disease, such as fibroadenomas, nipple discharge, infection, cysts, fat necrosis, sclerosing adenosis, intraductal papilloma and hyperplasia. The Porter Comprehensive Breast Cancer Care and Treatment Center in Denver specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of benign breast disease.
Who is most likely to get benign breast disease?
Women ages 30 to 50 are most likely to experience the symptoms of benign breast disease because the condition is often, but not always, related to hormone fluctuations associated with menstruation. Symptoms usually improve after menopause, although women who take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be more susceptible.
Understanding the condition
It's important to note that most women with benign breast conditions do not have abnormal breast cells and most benign changes do NOT increase a woman's risk of getting cancer. Only a small number of women with benign breast disease have the type of cellular changes that represent a risk factor for breast cancer, and of those women, the vast majority will not get cancer.
It's also important to note that many women have breast lumps and many experience breast discomfort, which can become more prominent before menstruation. For most women, these symptoms are a temporary discomfort, although some may experience severe pain.
Diagnosis
If you experience breast pain or have breast lumps, your physician will examine your breasts manually to determine which, if any, diagnostic tools to use for further evaluation. He or she may then recommend a mammogram, ultrasound or both to diagnose the condition. Your physician may also recommend a biopsy if you have a suspicious growth. A breast biopsy is the removal of a sample tissue from your breast for examination under a microscope to determine whether a breast lump is either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Usually, only a small sample is needed to make a diagnosis. Your physician may also remove the fluid responsible for your discomfort with a needle (aspiration). If you're diagnosed with benign breast disease, discuss it with your physician and ask how often you should have physical exams, when you should start having screening mammograms and how often you should have those screenings.
Prevention
No preventative treatments for benign breast disease have been proven to offer consistent benefits, including reducing your intake of fat, caffeine or chocolate. Although anecdotally, some women report that reducing or eliminating caffeine seems to relieve breast pain. Some health care providers recommend acetaminophen or ibuprofen, heat or ice on the breast and a well-fitting bra to help reduce the pain.
What to do if you find a lump
Many women find breast lumps during a breast self exam. Fibrocystic lumps are most commonly found in the upper outer quadrant of the breast. They are typically mobile, meaning they don't feel as if they are anchored to underlying tissue. If you find a lump, jot down the following information and schedule an appointment with your physician:
- Date of your last period
- When you found the lump
- Any sign of nipple discharge
- Consistency of the lump, such as hard, soft, ropey or grainy
- Whether or not you can move the lump
- Size of the lump
- Whether or not the lump has changed since you found it
Types of benign lumps
- Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form when normal secretions in the glandular cells are not absorbed back into the body, but trapped instead. Cysts may be microscopic or filled with several teaspons or even tablespoons full of liquid. Cysts are usually handled by observation or by withdrawing fluid with a needle, called a fine-needle aspiration.
- Fibroadenomas are benign tumors made up of both structural (fibro) and glandular (adenoma) tissues. Fibroadenomas don't become malignant, but they can enlarge due to pregnancy and breast-feeding.
- Fat Necrosis refers to painless, round, firm lumps formed by damaged fat tissue that often develops from a bruise or blow to the breast. Fat necrosis can easily be mistaken for cancer, so lumps are often surgically removed and checked under a microscope.
- Mammary Duct Ectasia, found in women nearing menopause, is an inflammation and clogging of ducts underneath the nipple. This condition can be painful, and it may produce a gray to green sticky discharge. Treatment consists of warm compresses, antibiotics, and possibly surgery.
- Sclerosing Adenosis is an excessive growth of tissue in the breast's lobules often accompanied by breast pain. Usually the changes are microscopic, but can sometimes show up on a mammogram as small deposits of calcium. Adenosis can be difficult to differentiate from cancer so it may require a biopsy to diagnose it.
- Intraductal Papilloma is small wart-like growth that projects into breast ducts near the nipple. The condition usually affects women at menopause and is common source of bloody or sticky discharge from the nipple. Multiple intraductal papillomas associated with a lump need to be removed.
- Infection and/or Inflammation most often occur in women who are breast-feeding. In its early stages, the condition can be treated with antibiotics. As the condition advances, it may need to be drained or surgically removed.
- Hyperplasia and atypical hyperplasia refer to a growth of epithelial cells that line the ducts of the breasts. This overgrowth is believed to be a result of repeated stimulation from hormones that eventually cause the cells to lose some of their genetic controls. A biopsy can determine whether or not the cells are normal. If the cells are normal, the overgrowth is called "hyperplasia". If the cells are abnormal, the overgrowth is called "atypical hyperplasia." (atypical means the cells look different from normal cells.) Atypical hyperplasia has been associated with an increased risk of developing cancer in the future. But it's important to note that the vast majority of women diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia will not get cancer.
Hours and Location
We're open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can make an appointment online or call 303-765-6380.
The Porter Comprehensive Breast Cancer Care and Treatment Center is located at 2555 South Downing Street, Suite 140 Denver, CO 80210. See maps to our location.
Are you a New Breast Cancer Patient?
If you are a new patient, you can complete these New Patient Forms at your convenience and bring them to your appointment. Please read and complete all sections.
