Benign breast conditions

Transcription

1 Benign breast conditions Brooke Building Breast Unit All Rights Reserved Document for issue as handout.

2 Throughout a ladies life their breasts are constantly changing. This is because the level of hormones in their body fluctuates from breast development, pregnancy and Many of these breast changes will be diagnosed as a benign breast condition that may or may not need further treatment or follow up. Benign (not cancer) breast conditions are very common. Breast Cyst A breast cyst is a fluid-filled sac within your breast. You may have one or many breast cysts and these can occur in one or both breasts. Cysts may develop at any age but are most common in ladies between the ages of who are starting to go through the Cysts range in sizes and can develop anywhere in the breast. Many women have cysts but are not able to feel them, whereas other women may find them uncomfortable and painful, and they can become more painful and bigger before their period The cyst usually feels like a smooth or oval lump. When you attend the Breast Clinic the breast specialist will do a breast examination and may insert a small needle to aspirate the cyst fluid. Following this depending on your age, you may have a mammogram and ultra sound scan to assess the whole breast. These investigations will be discussed with you in clinic. Women don t usually require follow up with the breast specialist but are advised to see their GP if they notice any lump in the future. The GP can refer you back to the breast specialist team if they see it appropriate. Fibroadenoma Fibroadenomas are a benign (not cancer) breast lump. They develop by glandular tissue and ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) growing over the lobule (milk-producing glands) to form a solid lump. These lumps are very common and women can have more than one. They can occur at any age but are more common in ladies aged between years old. Most fibroadenomas are small 1-3cmbut occasionally can grow to over 5cm which are referred to as giant fibroadenomas. Most of these lumps stay the same size, reduce in size or disappear but some do continue to grow. The breast specialist will to diagnose the lump as a fibroadenoma. a mammogram (35 years old onwards), an ultra sound scan, fine needle aspiration (FNA - needle inserted into the lump and a few cells removed) or a core biopsy (piece of the lump removed). These tests are used to confirm the diagnosis and the breast specialist will inform you of the results. 1 2

3 Breast Calcification Duct Ectasia Gynaecomastia Breast calcification is small area of calcium within the breast tissue. Calcification is very common, especially in post-menopausal ladies and will show on the Mammogram as white spots or flecks. The Radiologist may compare your current mammogram with previous mammograms. Calcifications are often benign (noncancerous) but certain patterns of calcification may indicate pre-cancerous changes or early breast cancer. In this case biopsies would be taken to determine the nature of the calcification. If you are recalled after a mammogram for further investigations a member of the breast team will explain these results to you. If the biopsy shows only calcification this will either be left alone or discussed further regarding surgical options. Duct Ectasia is a condition when the ducts behind the nipple become shorter and wider, sometimes fluid may collect in these ducts. This condition may not cause any symptoms but some patients develop nipple discharge which can be clear or blood stained. Sometime a lump can be felt behind the nipple and as the ducts shorten the nipple can be pulled inwards becoming inverted. The breast specialist will to diagnose this condition. a mammogram (depending on your age) and an ultra sound scan to assess the ducts. This condition is benign (not cancerous) and usually occurs in ladies when they reach the Duct Ectasia often improves without treatment but if it persists and becomes troublesome then surgery to remove the duct may be an option and this can be discussed with the consultant at your clinic appointment. Nipple Discharge Nipple discharge can be common and usually down to hormonal changes within the breast, if you notice any blood we would advise you see your GP. Gynecomastia is a benign swelling of breast tissue in men usually occurring in puberty or older men due to normal hormonal changes. Other causes are due to prescribed medications or body building supplements that contain anabolic steroids. Drinking too much alcohol and taking Illegal drugs such as Cannabis can also cause gynecomastia. The breast swelling can occur in one breast or both, the swelling can be just behind the nipple or across the whole breast. Gynecomastia can be painful but in most cases it will go away on its own. If the cause is due to prescribed medications the GP may be able to change this. If it is due to body building supplements, excessive alcohol or illegal drugs then you would be advised to stop taking them. continued page 5 3 4

4 The breast specialist will to diagnose the swelling/lump. a mammogram (depending on your age), an ultra sound scan and sometimes a fine needle aspiration (FNA - needle inserted into the lump and a few cells removed). The breast specialist will either inform you of these results or give you a contact number along with your hospital number to call for results and a confirmation letter will be sent by post. Gynecomastia is a benign condition (non-cancerous) and normally doesn t require treatment and often settles down but in severe cases surgery may be an option if funding is agreed. Breast Awareness Being Breast aware and checking your breasts each month is very important, if you notice any other changes or breast symptoms you must see your GP who will refer you back to the breast clinic. It s as simple as TLC TOUCH your breasts. Can you feel anything unusual? LOOK for changes. Is there any change in shape or texture? CHECK anything unusual with your doctor. Changes to check for: Image from Breast Cancer Now Lump - may not be seen, but might be felt Skin texture e.g. dimpling / puckering Appearance or direction of nipple Nipple discharge Rash or crusting Further information Macmillan Breast Specialist Nurse Benign Breast Conditions org.uk/breast-cancerinformation/benign-breastconditions Benign Awareness nhs.uk/breastscreen/ breastawareness.html org.uk/breast-cancerinformation/breast-awareness/ being-breast-aware/breastawareness-videos org.uk/about-breast-cancer/ touch-look-check Breast Cancer Campaign Breast Cancer Care

5 G W. Design Services Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust All Rights Reserved 2015 This document MUST NOT be photocopied Information Leaflet Control Policy: Unique Identifier: SURG31(15) Review Date: October 2017 For further information on this leaflet, it s references and sources used, please contact Copies of this information are available in other languages and formats upon request. If you need this interpreting please telephone In accordance with the Equality Act we will make reasonable adjustments to enable individuals with disabilities, to access this treatment / service. InterpretationandTrans@srft.nhs.uk Under the Human Tissue Act 2004, consent will not be required from living patients from whom tissue has been taken for diagnosis or testing to use any left over tissue for the following purposes: clinical audit, education or training relating to human health, performance assessment, public health monitoring and quality assurance. If you object to your tissue being used for any of the above purposes, please inform a member of staff immediately. Salford Royal operates a smoke-free policy. For advice on stopping smoking contact the Hospital Specialist Stop Smoking Service on Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust Stott Lane, Salford, Manchester, M6 8HD Telephone If you would like to become a Foundation Trust Member please visit: for-members If you have any suggestions as to how this document could be improved in the future then please visit: for-patients