Evaluation of a new breast lumps is one greatest challenges physicians face in caring for women with breast concerns. Breasts are by nature lumpy, and this lumpiness is accentuated with hormonal stimulation, as occurs with the menstrual cycle and with hormone replacement therapy. Most lumps are not cancer, but if a lump is a cancer, it is imperative to make the diagnosis as soon as possible. Thus, when it comes to lumps, physicians have a dual challenge: First, to diagnosis cancer early; and second, to reassure the patient when the lump is benign. Fortunately, the vast majority of breast lumps will prove not to be cancer. The vast majority of lumps that prove to be cancer are first detected by the women (90%).
Unfortunately, however, the majority of breast cancers that are first found by the women are found incidentally, or “by accident”. A typical story would be that the woman receives minor trauma to the chest, and in checking herself she finds a breast lump. Lumps that are found “by accident” tend to be large, and usually require aggressive treatment.
A new trend seems to be emerging. Recently we have been seeing a growing number of women finding small lumps on breast self-examination. These small lumps found on self-examination typically have an excellent prognosis. The women who tended to find these potentially curable breast cancers on self-examination had become proficient in BSE, and had made the long-term commitment to do a careful monthly self-examination. We have seen numerous examples in which a woman doing BSE with confidence and found a subtle change six months after a normal clinical breast examination was performed. When a women notes a subtle change on BSE it should be reported to her health care provider. It often the case that these subtle changes are not appreciated by the health care provider, but it essential that
these changes be taken seriously. This typically includes special mammographic views and a directed ultra-sound examination.
If the examination and imaging studies are negative, then careful follow is indicated. If the lump persists for more that two months, tissue sampling is indicated. It is this aggressive approach to subtle changes in the breast that give women the best potential for diagnosing a cancer when it is at an early stage and potentially curable and aggressive chemotherapy can often be avoided. Thus, despite the current controversy about the benefits of BSE, we are convinced that when taught properly, it can be life saving. When done right, BSE provides a woman with one more layer of protection in avoiding a delay in diagnosis of breast cancer. We find that when women make the commitment to learn BSE, they typically experience that they are in control of their breast health. This leads to improved self-confidence and a sense of empowerment.
Types of Breast Lumps:
Fibrocystic Condition
Breast Cysts
Fibrocystic Solid Breast Lumps
Fibroadenomas
Multiple Fibroadenomas
Cystosarcoma Phylloides
Other Benign Lumps
High Risk Lumps
Malignant Breast Lumps
Fibrocystic Condition
Women commonly tell us that that they have fibrocystic breasts, when in fact they just have normal breasts. The glandular tissue in the breast (the milk producing portions) are sensitive to hormonal stimulation. Menstruating women typically note that both breasts feel engorged, swollen, and tender just before the onset of the menstrual period, when the hormone levels are highest. Oftentimes, as part of this cyclic-hormonal process, a lump will form that can be readily distinguished from the surrounding breast tissue. These lumps are typically of two types: cystic (fluid-filled), or solid. Both types are completely benign and are not associated with a future increased risk of breast cancer.
Breast Cysts
Cysts are fluid-filled capsules in the breast that can vary in size from microscopic to more than an inch in diameter. Most cysts do not cause symptoms, and can be ignored. For those cysts that do cause problems, the treatment of choice is aspiration. A small needle is inserted into the cyst and the fluid is suctioned out; in most cases, this fluid is discarded without further testing (unless there is evidence of gross blood or the cyst does not completely resolve with aspiration). There are three indications for aspirating a cyst:
- when the cyst is associated with a palpable lump
- when the cyst causes focal pain
- when the cyst makes the interpretation of the mammogram more difficult. In these cases we aspirate the cyst and repeat the mammogram.Cysts are usually aspirated using Ultra-sound guidance to insure complete removal of fluid which makes it less likely that they will return. If the cyst can not be completely aspirated or has any unusual characteristics it should undergo biopsy. If it is an uncomplicated cyst that goes away completely after aspiration the patient can be reassured that all is well, but a 2-3 month follow-up is indicated. If a cyst continues to recur following aspiration, consideration should be given for core or open biopsy.
Fibrocystic Solid Breast Lumps
Fibrocystic breast lumps are typically divided into two categories: cystic and solid. The cystic lumps are easily identified on ultrasound, and are easily treated with aspiration. The most common cause of both solid and cystic breast lumps is hormonal stimulation. Solid lumps caused by hormonal stimulation are called fibrocystic lumps. The name is confusing since these lumps tend to be solid, but on microscopic examination they do show microcystic changes related to hormonal stimulation. In general, when a distinct lump in the breast is found, a tissue diagnosis must be made. Fortunately, fibrocystic breasts lumps are completely benign, and are not associated with any risk for the future development of breast cancer.
Fibroadenomas
Fibroadenomas are the most common benign breast lumps found in women in their teens and 20’s. They are typically firm, smooth, round and mobile. They usually are not tender. On ultrasound, they are typically oval, with smooth borders. Although the diagnosis is usually quite obvious on initial evaluation, we believe that tissue confirmation with either a core biopsy or surgical removal is indicated in most cases. If a diagnosis of a fibroadenoma can be established on a core biopsy, clinical observation is appropriate. However, if the fibroadenoma shows signs of progressive or rapid growth over time, it should be surgically removed.
Multiple Fibroadenomas
In approximately 10% of women who get fibroadenomas, they will occur in multiples within the breast. In some rare cases, a dozen or more can be detected on ultrasound in each breast. In general, our policy is to core biopsy the largest lesion(s) in each breast. If a diagnosis of fibroadenoma can be established, we simply follow the patient at regular intervals.
Cystosarcoma Phylloides (CSP)
CSP is an unusual condition that usually presents and a hard, round mass which resembles a typical fibroadenoma. Rapid growth is one clinical clue that a lump that feels like a fibroadenoma is actually a CSP. Rapid growth is an indication for excisional biopsy . Usually, the diagnosis is first made on a core biopsy. This allows us to plan a surgery that will remove the lump, plus a surrounding margin of normal tissue. When we remove what we think is a simple fibroadenoma and it actually proves to be a CSP, we usually go back and remove the surrounding tissue. If the clearance of surrounding tissue is done properly, later recurrence is very rare.
Other Benign Lumps
There is a long list of condition in the breast that will cause a lump. In general, there are some simple rules that can be followed to make certain a lump is benign. The concern with any lump is that it may represent a breast cancer. Any new lump requires an examination by an experienced healthcare provider who is familiar with breast health and anatomy. We always perform an ultrasound examination during the initial workup, and typically add a diagnostic mammogram in most cases (depending on the patient’s age, status of the previous mammogram, and the level of our clinical suspicion). The only way a lump can be definitively proved to be benign is by tissue sampling. In most cases, a simple core biopsy will establish a definitive diagnosis. In some cases, the tissue obtained on the core biopsy is insufficient to make a definitive diagnosis; thus, either a repeat core biopsy or (usually) open surgical removal of the lump is required. If after complete assessment and adequate tissue sampling the lump is determined to be benign, only routine follow-up is indicated and the woman is at no increased risk for the future development of breast cancer. However, there are some benign lumps which signify an increased risk of developing future breast cancer, and more aggressive follow-up is indicated. These high-risk lesions will be discussed in the next section.
High Risk Lumps
In the event that a breast biopsy demonstrates high-risk changes (i.e. atypical ductal hyperplasia, atypical lobular hyperplasia, lobular carcinoma in-situ, radial scar), the risk for the development of a future breast cancer is increased beyond normal. Such women should be followed more aggressively. Estrogen replacement or other hormone use should be avoided or minimized. These women should be given the option of hormonal blockade with agents such as tamoxifen or Evista. Regular physical examination and BSE are important. In women with dense breast tissue, adjunct ultrasound and MRI screening (in addition to annual mammography) is indicated. A family history of breast cancer increases the risk of future cancer in patients with atypia (the presence of atypical cells in a breast biopsy). Women with a strong family history should strongly consider hormonal blockade therapy, and in select circumstances they should also consider the option of prophylactic mastectomy.
Malignant breast lumps
When a breast biopsy comes back as cancer, there is an urgent need for the doctor to meet face-to-face with the patient and provide a detailed explanation of the situation. It is important for the patient to realize that there is always hope. When breast cancer is caught early, there is a high probability for cure. However, even more advanced cancers can be highly responsive to modern therapy.