What is a Painful Breast Mass?
The sensation of a painful mass in the breast can often occur in association with cystic changes and duct dilations in the breast tissue. This condition can manifest itself with pain and tenderness due to the stimulation of nerve endings. Especially in changes related to fibrocystic breast structure, an increase in complaints can be seen in the premenstrual period, and this picture is defined as mastalgia.
When Does a Breast Mass Require Surgery?
The majority of cystic lesions detected in the breast do not require surgical intervention. However, if a solid area is detected in the cyst wall or a suspicious structure is observed through imaging methods, further evaluation may be required. In such cases, diagnostic evaluation is primarily performed with a core needle biopsy. In cases where an adequate sample cannot be obtained or which are found suspicious, surgical excision and pathological examination may come to the agenda.
What Are the Symptoms of a Breast Mass?
Breast masses can often be noticed during a person's self-examination. They can be felt by hand or detected by imaging methods. Masses;
- Can be located in different regions of the breast tissue,
- Can cause dimpling in locations close to the skin,
- Can lead to nipple retraction in locations close to the nipple.
- In some cases, shape changes or asymmetry in the skin can be observed.
What Do Redness and Swelling in the Breast Indicate?
Redness and swelling accompanying breast masses may be related to infection or can be seen in different inflammatory conditions. Granulomatous mastitis is evaluated as an inflammatory picture that can be seen especially in women of reproductive age. In the postmenopausal period, although rare, conditions like inflammatory breast cancer can present with similar findings. Therefore, further examination and biopsy may be necessary for a definitive distinction.
What Does an Orange Peel Appearance Mean?
In case of skin thickening and edema development in the breast, an orange peel-like appearance may occur. This finding is a clinical sign that can be seen in some advanced-stage breast diseases and absolutely needs to be evaluated.
How is a Breast Mass Evaluated?
The diagnostic approach varies according to the patient's age:
- In patients over 40 years of age, mammography is generally the first preferred method,
- In necessary situations, additional evaluation can be done with ultrasonography,
- In patients under 40 years of age, ultrasonography is mostly at the forefront.
In suspicious cases, a tissue sample is taken with a core needle biopsy, and a pathological examination is performed. In line with the results obtained, the diagnosis is clarified, and a follow-up plan is created.
Is There a Difference Between a Mass in the Right and Left Breast?
The appearance of masses in the right or left breast is usually a coincidental situation. In terms of clinical evaluation, both breasts are examined equally, and localization alone is not a risk-determining factor.
