What Are The Causes Of Breast Lumps?

Benign (non-cancerous) breast lumps are usually caused by hormonal changes in the female's body. Moments of hormonal change may occur during:

The menstrual cycle
Adolescence
The menopause
Pregnancy

If a woman experiences breast pain that is not linked to her menstrual cycle, it is called non-cyclic pain.



What Are Breast Lumps?


What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Breast Lumps


What Are The Causes Of Breast Lumps?


How Is A Breast Lump Diagnosed?


What Are The Treatment Options For A Breast Lump?

Benign (non-cancerous) breast lumps may also be cause by:

Mastitis - inflammationof tissue in one or both mammary glands inside the breast. Mastitis usually affects lactating women - women who are breastfeeding, producing milk. Hence, it is often referred to as lactation mastitis. The patient feels a hard, sore spot inside the breast. Mastitis can occur as a result of an infection or a blocked milk duct.
Nipple discharge
Dilated milk ducts
Breast injury
Post-operative scarring of breast tissue

Breast cancer - a tumor that has become malignant - it has developed from the breast cells. A 'malignant' tumor can spread to other parts of the body - it may also invade surrounding tissue. When it spreads around the body, we call it 'metastasis'. A woman's breast consists of lobules. Lobules are milk-producing glands. The breast is also full of ducts - milk passages that connect the lobules to the nipple. There is also fatty and connective tissue surrounding the ducts and lobules - this is called stroma.


The most common breast cancers start in the cells around the ducts. Others can start in the cells that line the lobules. A smaller number of breast cancers can start in other parts of the breast.



What Are Breast Lumps?
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Breast Lumps
What Are The Causes Of Breast Lumps?
How Is A Breast Lump Diagnosed?
What Are The Treatment Options For A Breast Lump?

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