Breast Cancer Surgeon in Thane- Dr. Vishwanath Masurkar

There are several types of noncancerous breast conditions that can affect your breasts. Some may cause pain or discomfort and need treatment. Others may not. Some may mimic breast cancer, however, so it is important to have all breast abnormalities checked by your physician.

Hyperplasia:

Hyperplasia is an overgrowth of breast cells, usually found on the inside of lobules or milk ducts. Both “usual” and “atypical” hyperplasia increase your risk of developing breast cancer, so it is important to have mammograms and clinical breast exams every year. Your physician also may suggest taking a drug such as tamoxifen or raloxifene to lower your risk of breast cancer.

Cysts:

Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that appear more often in premenopausal women. If they become large enough, they may cause pain, but they are almost always benign. Larger cysts can be drained with needle aspiration.

Fibroadenomas:

Fibroadenomas are solid, but benign, tumors. They often do not need treatment unless they are large or painful.

Intraductal papillomas:

Intraductal papillomas are small growths in the milk ducts that can cause discharge from the nipple. They are usually removed, but no further treatment is needed unless they have abnormal cells or breast cancer in nearby tissue.

Sclerosing adenosis:

Enlarged lobules can form to make small, sometimes painful, breast lumps. A biopsy is usually performed to distinguish sclerosing adenosis from breast cancer, but no further treatment is needed.

Radial scars:

Radial scars, or complex sclerosing lesions, can mimic breast cancer on a mammogram, but they actually are connective tissue from which milk ducts and lobules grow. After they are removed, no further treatment is needed.