What is the Lump in the breast?

Any noticeable change, thickening, or localized swelling in breast may be a lump. Not every lump found in the breast is cancerous in origin. Eight out of ten breast lumps are not cancerous, and if breast cancer is diagnosed early, it is usually successfully treated.

Malignant (cancerous) lumps are usually single, hard and painless. They develop most often from Mammary glands or ducts and are commonly found in upper, outer portion of the breast, but may appear anywhere in the breast. Unlike benign lumps, cancerous lumps continue to grow in uncontrolled manner, and in time spread beyond the breast.

Possible Symptoms of breast cancer?

• Lump or thickening of the breast
• Dimpling or puckering of the skin
• Change In skin color of the breast or its texture
• Change in breast shape
• Swelling, redness or heat in the breast
• Discharge from the nipple
• Retraction of the nipple

How is breast Disease Evaluated?

A woman who finds a lump in her breast should seek help from her physician at once. The physician evaluates the lump and gives further advice. Usually, if breast cancer is suspected, then one or more of the following investigations are asked for,

1. Mammography:

Mammogram is a safe low dose, X-ray picture of the breast where two views of each breast are taken. Aim is to produce detailed images of the internal structures of the breast for early detection of breast cancer.

2. Ultrasound examination:

Ultrasound is complimentary to mammography to determine nature of the lump.

3. Aspiration: (FNAC):

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology) A lump felt by examination and/or identified on a mammogram can be examined by aspiration. During this procedure, a fine needle is inserted in the lump and the aspirate is examined microscopically for presence of cancer cells. FNAC can also help in differentiating a solid from a cystic (fluid filled) lump.

4. Biopsy:

If the lump is composed of solid tissue, biopsy may be performed to check for the presence of cancer cells. Biopsies can also be helpful in determining the best method of treatment.

What Is the Treatment?

If the biopsy or FNAC confirms the presence of cancer, there are various modes of treatment and the treatment is chosen depending on a lot of other factors.

A. Operative Procedures:

Various operative modes are used for treatment of breast cancer:

Lumpectomy: This means removal of the lump in the breast. This is usually the preferred mode of treatment in benign (non cancerous) lumps.

Partial Mastectomy: This involves removal of the cancerous lump with part of the surrounding breast tissue and the glands under the arm.

Simple Mastectomy: This operation involves removal of only the breast.

Modified radical mastectomy: This involves removing the entire breast and the lymph nodes or glands under the arm.

Radical Mastectomy: This includes removal of all breast tissues, the lymph nodes and the chest muscles. This operation is rarely performed these days.

B. Radiotherapy: Treatment of breast cancer with radiation therapy can destroy cancer cells. The type of radiation is chosen to suit the requirements of individual patient. A course of radiation is given over a period of weeks.

C. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is treatment of cancer with special drugs, which are able to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be used alone or in combination with surgery or radiation therapy, depending on the extent of the tumor.