Frequently asked questions about breast lumps

Frequently asked questions about breast lumps

Frequently asked questions about breast lumps. To prevent breast lumps, it is necessary to develop a good lifestyle, such as a healthy diet, and reduce the intake of fat and sweets.

1. What is a breast lump?

Breast lumps is a popular term, that is, a lumps on the breast that are found by touching or physical examination. Breast lumps are common signs of breast disease, which may be normal glands, or benign or malignant diseases. Not all breast lumps are palpable, and some require imaging examinations to discover.

2. What is the cause of breast lumps?

The cause of breast lumps is not clear. It can be caused by a variety of pathologies. Common benign diseases include breast infection, fat necrosis, fibrocystic degeneration, fibroadenoma, and simple cyst. Malignant lesions are mainly breast cancer, often forming nodules with unclear boundaries and hard texture.

3. How to find breast lumps by self-examination?

When breast self-examination, you must first look at the appearance, face the mirror with your hands drooping, carefully observe whether the breasts are symmetrical in size, whether there are abnormal protrusions, and whether the skin and nipples are sunken or eczema. Then put the four fingers together, touch the outer upper, lower outer, lower inner, upper inner area of ​​the breast with the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger in order to feel for nodules or lumps, and finally press the nipple and areola area in the middle of the breast , Pay attention to whether there is overflow.

4. What are the symptoms of patients with breast lumps?

Benign lesions are often multiple nodules, which can be unilateral or bilateral, with clear boundaries, good mobility, and slow growth. Some patients may be accompanied by periodic pain or tenderness, which occurs or worsens in the premenstrual period. Malignant lesions are often unilateral single nodules, usually hard in texture, poor in mobility, often adhered to the skin, and some may be accompanied by inverted nipple, nipple discharge, and axillary lymphadenopathy.

5. What examinations are needed for breast lumps?

Breast lumps can be preliminarily judged benign or malignant through palpation by a doctor. Breast ultrasound is the first choice and the main basis for grading assessment. It can observe the size, shape, nature, and relationship between breast nodules and surrounding tissues. Mammography and MRI can clearly show the various layers of breast tissue and calcifications, and provide supplementary basis for grading assessment. BI-RADS type 4 nodules after systematic evaluation require further hollow needle puncture or excisional biopsy to determine benign and malignant nodules.

6. What is the BI-RADS classification?

The BI-RADS classification is written on the breast ultrasound report of the patient. What does it mean? BI-RADS is a breast imaging diagnostic specification formulated by the American Radiological Association to assess the degree and risk of breast benign and malignant. It is divided into six categories.

• BI-RADS 0: A single imaging examination cannot evaluate the nature, and other imaging examinations are required for further evaluation.
• BI-RADS 1: There is no abnormality in the inspection.
• BI-RADS 2: Basically, malignant lesions can be ruled out, and follow up for 6-12 months.
• BI-RADS 3: The possibility of benignity is high, and the possibility of malignancy is less than 2%. A short-term (3-6 months) review is recommended.
• BI-RADS 4: Suspicious malignant lesions require puncture or excisional biopsy.
• BI-RADS 5: It is highly likely to be malignant, and appropriate diagnosis and treatment measures should be taken actively.
• BI-RADS 6: It has been confirmed as malignant by biopsy.

7. How to treat breast lumps?

The treatment of breast masses should be formulated according to the nature of the nodules, which are mainly divided into conservative observation, drug treatment, and surgical treatment. Most benign nodules can be monitored through regular inspections. If there is no rapid growth or change in nature, no active treatment is required. If it is confirmed to be a malignant disease after pathological examination, surgical treatment is required, and radiotherapy and chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, targeted therapy, etc. are taken according to individual conditions.

8. What are the characteristics of breast malignant lesions?

When a patient finds a breast nodule, he can first evaluate it according to the following aspects. Generally speaking, the harder the nodule, the greater the possibility of malignancy, and the malignant nodules usually have unclear boundaries, tightly connected with the surrounding glands, and poor mobility. If it is found that the skin on the surface of the nodule is sunken or ruptured, beware of malignant nodules. The nodules that grow rapidly in the short term are mostly malignant nodules.

9. How to prevent breast lumps?

To prevent breast lumps, it is necessary to develop a good lifestyle, such as a healthy diet, and reduce the intake of fat and sweets. Quit smoking and alcohol, participate in physical activity regularly, and try to maintain a normal weight. Reduce health products that contain a lot of estrogen. Regularly perform breast self-examination, and seek medical attention if abnormalities occur. For high-risk patients with a family history of breast disease, breast cancer screening should be performed regularly.

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