Lumps in the breasts

Alternative names:

breast mass; fibroadenoma

Treatment:

For known, diagnosed fibrocystic breast changes, a woman should examine her breasts monthly. Adequate bras should be worn to provide good breast support. The effectiveness of vitamin E, vitamin B6, and herbal preparations such as evening primrose oil are somewhat controversial and should be discussed with your provider. Self-care may also include restricting dietary fat to approximately 25% of the total daily calorie intake and eliminating caffeine intake and cigarette smoking to see if symptoms subside.

Oral contraceptives may be prescribed because they often decrease symptoms.

The choice of initial treatment for biopsy-confirmed breast cancer is based upon the extent and aggressiveness of the disease. Currently, breast cancer is viewed as a systemic disease that requires both local and systemic treatment. Local treatment may include lumpectomy, mastectomy (partial, total, or radical with axillary dissection) and radiation therapy, all directed at the breast and surrounding tissue. Systemic treatment includes chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, which circulate throughout the entire body in an attempt to eliminate
cancer cells that may be present in distant parts of the body. Most women receive a combination therapy including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy.

Expectations (prognosis):

The prognosis depends on the type of problem. See the specific condition for detailed information regarding prognosis.

Complications:

Because fibrocystic changes may make breast examination and mammography more difficult to interpret, early cancerous lesions may occasionally be overlooked.

Even with aggressive and appropriate treatments, breast cancer often spreads (metastasizes) to distant sites such as the lungs, liver, and bones. The local recurrence rate is about 5% after total mastectomy and axillary dissection is performed when the nodes are found not to be involved. The local recurrence rate is 25% in those with similar treatment found to have nodal involvement.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if unilateral (one-sided), new, unusual, or changing lumps are noted in breast tissue.

Also call for an appointment if:

• you are a woman, 40 years of age or older, with no baseline mammogram
• you are a woman, 35 years of age or older, with a mother or sister with breast cancer, or you have a past medical history of breast, uterine (endometrial), ovarian, or colon cancer
• you are a woman, 25 years or older, unfamiliar with how to perform breast self-examination