A breast tumor is a mass or lump felt inside the breast tissue. The overwhelming majority of tumors (80% to 85%) are not malignant and will not be the source of any significant health consequence whatsoever. Most tumors are also completely asymptomatic, although some may be sensitive, painful or might even cause bleeding or discharge through the nipple.
It is always vital to be proactive in the search for lumps inside your breasts, using professional breast exams, self breast exams and recommended mammography testing.
Benign Breast Tumors
There are many possible types of tumors and masses found inside the breast, which may not be indicative of any serious health consequence. There are also masses which may be problematic, but are not cancerous.
Here are the usual varieties of benign breast masses encountered by most women:
Cysts are a general term for fluid-filled sacs under the skin. There are many types and most are completely harmless.
Fibrocystic masses are also known as fibrocystic breasts. This condition entails masses which are usually noticed in relation to a woman’s monthly period and may also producer discharge from the nipple in rare circumstances.
Milk duct papillomas, also called intraductal papillomas, are small warts which may cause bleeding from the nipple.
Fibroadenomas are very common growths related to excess production of certain types of breast tissue.
Masses related to infections can be very scary and may leave a lump after the infection has resolved.
Cancerous Tumors
Cancerous tumors are typically the worst type of breast mass which can be found. There are various forms of breast cancer, so it is crucial to be able to identify all the usual signs and symptoms of a neoplastic process in order to prevent the disease from growing unchecked inside the breast.
Remember that most breast cancers, when found early, can be successfully cured. The best methods of discovering cancer should be discussed with your doctor or gynecologist.
Women with elevated risk factors have to be more careful, since they may be more susceptible to rapid formation and spread of tumors. Always do your part to prevent breast cancer using all the modalities available to you.
Breast Tumor Synopsis
There is no way to know what a lump or bump may be without professional evaluation. It is true that most round and smooth masses are benign, while many irregular or bumpy masses may be cancerous, but this is not an absolute.
If you notice a mass inside the breast, or have another of the typical signs, including change in the skin, nipple bleeding or breast discharge, make sure to get help quickly.
In most cases, the worry will be for nothing, but in some scenarios, there may indeed be cause for alarm. Never wait to get medical attention due to fear or the inability to pay. This delay costs women their lives each and every year.
To learn more about breast cancer, talk to your doctor or contact a cancer treatment resource near you.
