Event 5: Benign Breast Disease

Benign breast disease is categorized in two different ways:

  1. Abscess
  2. Fibrocystic disease

Abscess

  • In severe infections, either from plugged ducts/engorgement or Mastitis, an abscess may develop. 
  • Abscesses need to be drained, either as an office procedure or with surgery. Women with abscesses may be told to temporarily stop breast-feeding.
Image of a woman with a red, inflamed lump on her right breast.
Abscess. Image compliments of Dr. Diane Spatz

Fibrocystic Disease

  • Fibrocystic changes, also called fibrocystic breast disease, is associated with cyclic breast pain 
  • Accurate diagnosis made by microscopic evaluation 
  • No increased risk of developing cancer with fibrocystic disease
Illustration showing normal breast on the left and a breast with fibrocystic disease on the right.
Compliments of The Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibrocystic-breasts/home/ovc-20194898

Reference

Miltenburg DM, et al., 2008; Katz V, et al., 2007; Chase C, et al., 2011

Fibrocystic Disease Symptoms

  • May cause a dull or aching pain 
  • Often reported in women ages 30-40 years of age 
  • Women reported tenderness, lumps, breast feeling solid, and a change in size and density of their breasts as their menstrual cycle develops

Reference

Chase C, et al., 2011

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