Thoracic Breast Tumour
This general term usually refers to any palpable lump in the breast that is not breast cancer. Such a definition also classifies breast cysts, abscesses and hematomas in the breast (simple collections of fluid) as benign tumors. This is not so accurate and cystic morphomas are not considered tumours. More precisely, a benign tumour is defined as asolid breast morphoma whose cells do not have cancerous outgrowth.
A cancerous tumour is a type of breast cancer that is not cancerous.
What are the common benign breast tumors?
1. Fibroadenoma
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The most common benign tumour found in adolescent and young women. It is harmless if diagnosed with certainty. Often requires breast biopsy for definite diagnosis. It is treated either by periodic monitoring with breast ultrasound or by surgical excision. Read Breast Surgeon John Haveles’ detailed article on breast fibroadenomas, here.
2. Intradermal Breast Tumors
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Intraporeal thelioma is the main reason for the occurrence of bloody nipple discharge. It is a lump that develops in the milk ducts of the breast, usually behind the nipple. It may be one or more, in one or both breasts. guided percutaneous breast biopsy is necessary to rule out the malignant form of papilloma, Breast Malignant Carcinoma. Intrapubic papillomas usually require surgical excision, along with the ductal system from which they arise.
3. Breast Fat Necrosis (Breast Fat Necrosis)
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Injury to the breast can cause necrosis in a section of fat in the breast. With healing this part forms a lump, This can be palpated by the woman herself or discovered at breast screening. It is a relatively rare type of tumour, and its diagnosis usually requires directed percutaneous breast biopsy, as on digital mammography and breast ultrasound it looks very similar to breast cancer.
4. Breast tendon and sclerosing breast tendon
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Adenosis is a large increase in the amount of glandular element within the lobules of the breast. The gland may have normal morphology or may show a scar-like deformity, in which case it is called sclerosing adenosis. It often causes symptoms of breast pain, which becomes more severe during menstruation. Differential diagnosis from breast cancer is made by guided percutaneous breast biopsy and histological examination. Correct diagnosis is very important as the presence of sclerosing adenosis lesions is considered a risk factor for developing breast cancer. Women diagnosed with sclerosing adenosis must be closely monitored because they are 1.5 to 2 times more likely to develop breast malignancy.
5. Breast radial scarring and complex sclerosing lesions
A radicular scar is a lesion in the breast that is usually discovered on mammography. In sizes larger than 1 cm it is called a composite sclerosing lesion. The radiological appearance of this lesion is identical to breast cancer, so preoperative diagnosis should be made by guided percutaneous breast biopsy and histological examination. These lesions are often associated with DCIS of the breast and tumoural carcinoma of the breast. Once diagnosed, the lesion is surgically removed because it is a very important risk factor for developing breast cancer in the future.
6. Leafy breast tumour (or Leafy Cystosarcoma)
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This is a tumour that is very similar on imaging to fibroadenoma, and from which it can only be differentiated by directed percutaneous breast biopsy. This tumour, however, is not as harmless as fibroadenoma. It has a range of behaviour from relatively benign to malignant. The result of the preoperative biopsy will determine the type of surgery required. These tumours can reach a very large size, larger than 20 cm.
