When to see a doctor as soon as possible

See a therapist immediately If:

• you felt a tight lump in one of the mammary glands or in the armpit area;
• one breast has changed size: it has become larger or smaller than the neighboring one;
• a lump appeared during menstruation, but did not disappear after their completion;
• the bump to the touch changes size, shape, becomes more dense;
• you have a bruise (bruise) on your chest for no apparent reason;
• the skin of the chest has become reddish or has acquired the texture of an orange peel;
• one of your nipples is drawn in (this is a dangerous sign only if they were bulging before);
• you notice bloody discharge from the nipple.

These symptoms may indicate breast cancer. This disease is curable, but only if it is detected in the early stages and therapy is started on time.

What do lumps in the chest say

Not every lump in the breast is cancer. Most seals (up to 80%) are so-called benign formations and can sometimes be absorbed on one’s ownwithout any treatment.

Here are a few common statesabout which the lump in the chest speaks:

• Breast cyst. It is a soft, fluid-filled, and generally harmless pouch.
• Milk cyst (galactocele). It’s a bag filled with milk. Such cysts appear in nursing mothers.
• Fibroadenoma. This is almost the most widespread a benign formation that occurs in the mammary glands of young (from 15 to 35 years old) women. As a rule, a fibroadenoma feels like a moving ball to the touch.
• Fibrocystic breast. This is a condition in which the breast tissue acquires a lumpy structure. By data doctors, every second woman faces temporary fibrocystic changes in the breast at some point in her life.
• Intraductal papilloma. This is a benign formation that resembles a wart in the milk duct.
• Lipoma. This is the name of a slow-growing benign (that is, harmless) tumor, which consists of adipose tissue.
• Mastitis. This is a breast infection that most often affects breastfeeding women. Seals in the chest with mastitis are usually painful.
• Swelling or slight hemorrhage that may occur with an injury.

What to do if you feel a lump in your chest

Even if you do not have threatening symptoms, it is still worth contacting a therapist or gynecologist. Especially if the seal does not decrease and does not disappear within a few days, and even more so if it hurts or causes discomfort.

The doctor will examine the breast and, if he cannot immediately determine the cause of the lump, he will refer you to additional research. They may include the following procedures:

• Mammogram. This is an x-ray study that helps to identify abnormalities in the breast tissue.
• ultrasound. It is necessary to clarify the shape and density of the neoplasm.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). This is a more accurate alternative to ultrasound.
• Aspiration with a fine needle. The doctor will use a needle to try to remove fluid from the seal. The benign cyst will disappear. But if the liquid is cloudy or bloody, it will be analyzed for the presence of cancer cells.
• Biopsy. This is a procedure in which a doctor takes a sample of breast tissue for further examination.

How to treat lumps in the mammary gland

It depends on the reason that caused the formation of lumps. Not all seals need to be treated.

For example, if the lump was formed due to an injury, the doctor will recommend waiting a few days until the breast heals. Fibroadenoma is also in many cases not requires removal or treatment.

If you have a breast infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics.

If we are talking about cancer, you will be sent to a specialized specialist – an oncologist. Treatment will depend on the type, size, and shape of the tumor, and whether the cancer has spread beyond the breast. The doctor will select the most effective treatment option. This may be the removal of the tumor or the entire affected mammary gland, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.