Women's breasts are extremely vulnerable. Any pathological changes occurring in the body affect its condition. Hormonal imbalance, improper attachment of a child with breastfeeding, trauma and plastic surgery - all this can cause diseases of the mammary glands. One of these is oleogranuloma. Having heard such a diagnosis, many women equate it with cancer. Is it really so?
Oleogranuloma of the breast - what is it?
This is a small nodular neoplasm that forms as a reaction to damage to the tissues of the gland. Under the influence of traumatic factors, fat cells are first necrotic, and then cause an inflammatory process. As a result, connective tissue develops in the affected area.
A fluid cyst may occur inside an oleogranuloma. This is a formation of benign etiology, which can be subjected tocalcification. It consists of adipose tissue and has dense walls. Such cysts form for no apparent reason or after intervention on the gland, trauma. If the pathology is accompanied by a painful syndrome, it is first punctured and then the contents are removed.
In terms of its symptoms, oleogranuloma is similar to breast cancer. However, it does not harm he alth, and over time it can disappear on its own. To establish an accurate diagnosis, the doctor prescribes an examination, an important part of which is a biopsy.
Main reasons
The main causes of breast oleogranuloma are radiation, surgery or trauma. As a result of these factors, there is a violation of the blood supply to the lobules of the gland. First, they experience a lack of oxygen, and after a while they die. The body releases specific enzymes that help break down dead elements. As a result, inflammation occurs. Scar tissue develops at the site of the lesion. Fat is released from dead cells, which subsequently fills the cystic cavity. The result of the ongoing processes is the appearance of oleogranuloma.
The probability of its development increases several times after the following procedures:
- mastectomy;
- Lumpectomy;
- biopsy;
- breast surgery;
- implant removal.
Most often, ladies with curvaceous forms have to face the problem. For example, they may develop an oleogranuloma of a postoperative breast scar after a mastectomy. This condition is not dangerous.for he alth.
Clinical picture
Pathology has no specific symptoms. At the initial stage, its only manifestation is a small nodule. It has a dense texture, well felt under the skin of the chest. The nodule is characterized by a rounded shape and painless on palpation. Its diameter is no more than 2 cm.
As the pathological process develops, the skin begins to retract over the affected area, acquires a reddish tint. Perhaps the appearance of pain, fever. The latter symptom usually indicates the development of local inflammation, which is characteristic of a malignant disease. In the absence of therapy, the likelihood of purulent discharge, a breakthrough of the neoplasm through a fistula or a purulent-necrotic ulcer increases. Axillary lymph nodes are usually enlarged.
Varieties of oleogranuloma
Depending on the cause of the pathology, it can be of several types:
- Injection. Occurs at the site of plastic surgery performed using unsuitable or low-quality materials (vaseline oil, paraffin).
- Post-traumatic. It is the result of received blows, falls, squeezing.
- Near-inflammatory. A neoplasm is formed next to the inflammatory focus, surrounding it.
- Spontaneous. Occurs for no apparent reason or with minor infections, chest injuries.
However, regardless of the type andthe root causes of oleogranuloma of the mammary gland cannot be ignored.
Diagnostic Methods
Quite often the woman herself discovers a small nodule in the chest area. To clarify the diagnosis, it is necessary to contact a mammologist who will prescribe mammography and ultrasound of the gland. In order to exclude the oncological process, a biopsy is mandatory.
On mammography, the neoplasm has a rounded shape. It is surrounded by a thin capsule, which makes it possible to differentiate it from a cancerous tumor. On ultrasound, an oleogranuloma of the mammary gland is defined as a focus with increased echogenicity, uncharacteristic of oncology. Cysts may be visualized inside.
MRI and CT are not scheduled. These types of research do not differ in this pathology by high information content, but are expensive.
Features of treatment
In most cases, specific treatment for breast oleogranuloma is not required. The transformation takes place on its own. After consulting a doctor and with a strong pain syndrome, you can take an anesthetic (for example, Ibuprofen), massage. Therapy with folk remedies is carried out to relieve symptoms. Compresses with cabbage leaf, onion gruel are used.
Removal of oleogranuloma is recommended for large sizes, increased anxiety on the part of the patient. During the operation, the doctor excised a piece of tissue with a pathological node. Such treatment may be accompanied by a puncture biopsy if a cyst is present inside the neoplasm. After emptying, shesubsides, and the breast oleogranuloma decreases in size.
Surgery
In preparation for surgery, the doctor prescribes the following tests:
- blood for clotting index, tumor markers;
- determining the group and Rh factor;
- to detect syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B and C;
- general and blood biochemistry.
You also need to undergo a fluorography and an ECG.
Surgical intervention involves resection of the mammary gland. Removal of lymph nodes is not carried out. The operation is performed using local anesthesia.
Preliminarily, according to the results of ultrasound, the doctor makes markings to accurately identify the focus of the pathology. Above the seal, an incision is made in the form of an elongated oval. Then one or more lobules of the mammary gland are removed. Oleogranuloma is excised along with he althy tissues. The resulting material is sent to the laboratory for histological examination and exclusion of a malignant process.
Vessels coagulate to prevent bleeding. The doctor puts several stitches on the gland tissue and skin, installs a drainage tube for 2-3 days.
The whole operation lasts no more than half an hour. After it, the woman is recommended to stay in the hospital for a few more days. In the postoperative period, she is prescribed painkillers and antibacterial agents. Stitches are removed after 7 days.
Recovery period
The course of rehabilitation measures involves the use of medications(anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, immunomodulators), physiotherapy to speed up the healing process. Drugs and their dosage are prescribed by the doctor, taking into account the patient's he alth condition.
To prevent the development of complications after surgery for breast oleogranuloma, it is enough to follow the recommendations below:
- Timely and correctly process postoperative sutures.
- Wear compression stockings (e.g. support top).
- Refuse to visit the bath, sauna, pool.
- Avoid exercise, sunbathing, heavy lifting.
Oleogranuloma responds well to therapy. In the process of its removal, usually there are no difficulties. In rare cases, the doctor refuses surgery in favor of X-ray therapy or the appointment of hormonal drugs.
Possible Complications
After surgery, complications are not ruled out. Among them, the most common are:
- purulent discharge from a wound if an infection has entered the body;
- bloody subcutaneous hematomas (occur in case of poor blood clotting).
Within a few days after the intervention, many women report fever, pain. As a rule, they do not require medical assistance, but disappear on their own within 2-3 days.
Prognosis for recovery
In most women, oleogranuloma disappears withoutuse of medical or surgical treatment. If the tumor progresses, surgery is recommended. After such therapy, the risk of breast cancer, recurrence does not increase. However, if the breast oleogranuloma is not removed, the prognosis for recovery is not always favorable. First of all, we are talking about the development of complications.
Despite the fact that this pathology is harmless, it cannot be ignored. When a nodular neoplasm appears in the chest, it is recommended to contact a mammologist for examination and differential diagnosis. This is especially necessary when the pain syndrome increases, the size of the pathological focus increases.
Prevention Methods
In the photo, the oleogranuloma of the mammary gland looks quite unpleasant. To prevent its occurrence, you must adhere to the following rules:
- Try not to get carried away with breast plastic surgery, which involves the introduction of oily substances.
- If mastitis or lactostasis is suspected, a visit to the doctor should not be delayed. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, it is important to adhere to the prescribed treatment regimen.
- You should protect your chest from injury and impact.
- Constantly monitor the hormonal background, and, if necessary, correct it with drugs.
- Twice a year it is recommended to visit a mammologist for preventive purposes.
If nodules are found in the chest area, do not self-medicate or ignore themappearance.
