Nodular formation of the mammary gland - what is it? These are abnormal neoplasms of different sizes, textures, shapes and localizations, which may indicate the development of a disease or serious malfunctions in the body. The occurrence of such nodules in the chest should be a cause for concern and a visit to the doctor. First of all, it is important to understand why this neoplasm appeared and immediately begin to fix the problem.
Breast nodule: what is it
The formation of such neoplasms may be associated with various breast pathologies or normal physiological changes. The condition of the mammary glands actually depends on several significant factors: psychological he alth, genetic characteristics, the work of the endocrine, digestive and genitourinary systems.
The main cause of any changes in breast tissue is hormonal change. The hormonal background can change both for natural reasons - due to the menstrual cycle or age, and due to pathological processes in the body. In every woman's life there arestages when nodes in the chest can be considered a variant of the norm. But it often happens that neoplasms require mandatory therapy.
In general, if a knot in the breast has formed for natural reasons, treatment is not needed in this case - the condition of the mammary glands will gradually return to normal. But if seals appear for no apparent reason, it is very important to pay attention to a dangerous symptom in time and start appropriate therapy.
What are the differences between knots and lumps in the breast? According to mammologists, none. The nodule can also be palpated as a seal. Yes, and the reasons for the appearance of both those and other neoplasms are the same.
Nodules as a variant of the norm
Mammary glands are closely related to the work of the reproductive organs. That is why all the changes that occur in the reproductive system sooner or later affect the condition of the breast.
In some cases, discomfort, mild pain, nodules and lumps can be considered normal:
- during childbearing;
- during puberty;
- at the stage of menopause;
- when breastfeeding.
During puberty, nodules may occur before each menstruation. This is due to the formation of a certain hormonal background. At this time, many serious changes take place in the body, which will certainly affect the condition of the breast. For some girls, these symptoms persist even after puberty, adding to the range of premenstrual symptoms.
During lactation andPregnancy is marked by increased production of female sex hormones. Too much prolactin and estrogen leads to many symptoms, including pain, swelling of the mammary glands and the appearance of strange nodules in them.
During the menopause, every woman is faced with serious hormonal disorders that can provoke the development of pathological nodules in the breast. In this case, the neoplasms disappear on their own, without any therapy.
Pathological causes
Besides natural factors, other conditions also influence the appearance of knots in the breast. Doctors most often identify several of the most common diseases that lead to the appearance of such a symptom:
- Benign neoplasms - lipomas, cysts, fibroadenomas.
- Gynecological defects - inflammation, adnexitis, polyps, endometriosis, ovarian cysts.
- Fibrocystic breast disease is the most common female breast disease.
- Endocrine abnormalities - goiter, hyperthyroidism, pathologies in the activity of the adrenal glands, pituitary gland or hypothalamus.
- Abscess, mastitis and other inflammatory and infectious diseases.
- Thrombophlebitis - most often develops due to a general or local bacterial infection.
- Malignant tumors.
- Lessons of the urethra, their narrowing or the formation of papillomas.
- Complications after surgery.
- Consequences of chest injuries.
All these pathologies differ in their course and clinical manifestations.
Signs of mastopathy
This common disease is characterized by many different symptoms, including a lump in the chest. Today, this disease is easily treatable.
Here are a few other signs that you can identify the problem in time:
- chest ache, fullness, worse before menstruation;
- pain radiating to the armpit, shoulder or arm;
- enlarged lymph nodes in the chest;
- abnormal indrawing or cracked nipple;
- discharge from ducts.
True, this disease can occur for a long time without obvious symptoms. The disease itself is not dangerous, but treatment should be started as early as possible. After all, fibrocystic mastopathy can lead to the development of a malignant tumor. According to statistics, such a transition of pathology occurs in about 70% of all cases.
Fibroadenoma symptoms
Usually, the disease manifests itself in the form of nodules that cause minor pain. Seals have a rounded shape, practically do not hurt, are not associated with the skin and nearby tissues. Over time, such nodules do not disappear and do not increase in size.
Women most often have no pronounced symptoms of the disease. But in men, the disease is accompanied by lower back pain and sexual dysfunction.
Fibroadenoma is a benign neoplasm that is usually removed in a minimally invasive way.
Cyst symptoms
Individual neoplasms can occur for various reasons. A knot in the chest may be a consequence of inflammation of the reproductive organs, gynecological and endocrine pathologies, and an unstable emotional state. Cysts are harmless and are always removed surgically.
Such neoplasms are minor seals that are not soldered to the skin and tissues. They do not cause pain on palpation at all.
Lactostasis
Nodes in the mammary gland can occur due to stagnation of milk. In fact, these are cysts filled with milk that simply was not expressed on time. This formation is called a lactocele. It is pierced or surgically removed.
With appropriate therapy, lactocele and lactostasis are not at all dangerous for the body. Only one thing is important - to find the cause of the seals in time and eliminate it, otherwise, the nodules will return.
Symptoms of mastitis
What is this? Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland, which is provoked by bacterial, sometimes microbial microflora. If you ignore the signs of inflammation and do not treat it, an abscess may arise, which will have to be removed surgically.
Symptoms of mastitis:
- breast swelling;
- skin redness;
- increased body temperature;
- soreness;
- generalmalaise;
- strong weakness;
- Migraine not ruled out.
Treatment can be medical with antibiotics or surgery.
Benign neoplasms
Usually, these tumors do not cause the development of specific symptoms. Benign seals are located under the skin, are easily palpated and do not lead to pain, even with palpation. Such tumors can be easily identified even on their own when examining the mammary glands and careful palpation.
Treatment of benign neoplasms can be conservative or operative, depending on the type and size of the nodules. An important role in the choice of therapy tactics is also played by the risk of acquiring a malignant tumor.
Malignant neoplasms
Such seals in the chest are much more dangerous than all other pathologies. That is why it is so important to know the main signs of oncology: dense, deeply located nodes of irregular shape with a bumpy surface. Other symptoms may also occur:
- itch;
- breast redness;
- strong peeling;
- deformation of the nipples, their retraction or change in shape.
How to find the problem
Of course, it is much better to systematically visit a mammologist for preventive examinations and, even more so, if any problems are found, for example, nodules. Remember: breast pathologies are easily treatable in the initial stages. If you start the disease, you may encounter a number of unpleasant consequences.
Here are symptoms to worry about:
- rapid nodule development;
- pain on palpation;
- uneven surface or seal shape;
- nipple deformity;
- any unusual nipple discharge;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- not feeling well.
Those with a family history of cancer should be especially careful.
Diagnosis
After a visual examination, the mammologist will give the patient a referral for examination. During the diagnostics, the following methods are used:
- Breast ultrasound;
- nodule formation is detected by palpation;
- mammography;
- biopsy;
- CT;
- ductography;
- Ultrasound of internal organs and lymph nodes;
- puncture is indicated for abscesses and cysts.
According to the results of the diagnosis, an appropriate tactic of therapy is selected.
Chest knot: how to treat
Optimal therapy can only be prescribed after a complete examination and discovery of the original cause of the pathology.
There are only a few tactics for treating breast nodules:
- Observation of dynamics. Such a decision can be made by a doctor when identifying small benign neoplasms that may well disappear on their own.
- Complex therapy. Suitable for the treatment of diseases associated with deviations inwork of internal organs and systems. For example, this is how tumors that have arisen against the background of hormonal disruptions are treated.
- Surgical removal. Absolutely all, without exception, malignant tumors and some benign large tumors are subject to such a procedure. In addition, surgery may be prescribed if there is an increased risk of cancer.
In addition, a knot in the chest can be completely removed if it causes severe discomfort. Doctors try to give preference to the most gentle methods that will not severely injure the chest. After modern intervention, there are practically no noticeable defects on the mammary glands, with the exception of its complete removal - mastectomy.
After the operation, patients are recommended restorative and supportive therapy, which is necessary to prevent the development of all sorts of complications and relapses of the pathology.
