Breast lumps
A breast lump can result from a harmless condition. Or it could be cancer. Understand breast lump causes and when you need to see a doctor.
A breast lump is a growth of tissue that develops within your breast. Different types of breast lumps can vary in the way they look and feel.
You might notice:
- A distinct lump with definite borders
- A firm, hard area within your breast
- A thickened, slightly more prominent area in your breast that's different from surrounding breast tissue
- Other breast changes, such as redness, dimpling or pitting of the skin
- One breast that's noticeably larger than the other
- Nipple changes, such as a nipple that's pulled inward or spontaneous fluid discharge from your nipple
- Persistent breast pain or tenderness, which might increase during your menstrual period
Sometimes, a breast lump is a sign of breast cancer. That's why you should seek prompt medical evaluation. Fortunately, however, most breast lumps result from noncancerous (benign) conditions.
Breast lumps can be caused by:
- Breast cancer
- Breast cysts (fluid-filled sacs in breast tissue that are usually benign)
- Fibroadenoma (a solid, benign mass most common in young women)
- Fibrocystic breasts (lumpy or rope-like breast tissue)
- Galactocele (a milk-filled cyst that's usually harmless)
- Injury or trauma to the breast
- Intraductal papilloma (a benign, wartlike growth in a milk duct)
- Lipoma (a slow-growing, doughy mass that's usually harmless)
- Mastitis (an infection in breast tissue that most commonly affects women who are breast-feeding)
Make an appointment to have a breast lump evaluated, especially if:
- The lump feels firm or fixed
- The lump doesn't go away after four to six weeks
- You notice skin changes on your breast, such as redness, crusting, dimpling or puckering
- You have discharge, possibly bloody, from your nipple
- Your nipple is turned inward and isn't normally positioned that way
- You can feel a lump in your armpit and it seems to be getting bigger
Last Updated:
December 23rd, 2020
