In this article, Dr. Garvit Chitkara, one of the best breast cancer surgeon in Mumbai, will explain the 5 common types of benign breast diseases, their symptoms and treatments.
Breast benign ( non-cancerous) diseases are common in women during the entire life cycle of her reproductive years.
Dr. Garvit Chitkara, has 14+ years of experience as a doctor and has been practicing Breast Surgical oncology for a decade, his experience, knowledge and surgeries performed earned him the title as one of the best breast cancer surgeons in Mumbai.
He is a highly acclaimed practicing oncologist who has been trained at the prestigious Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. He was inducted as faculty at Tata memorial hospital immediately upon completion of his training and has trained the next generation of cancer surgeons there.
MBBS, DNB ( Gen Surg
Contents
1. Fibrocystic breasts changes
Fibrocystic breast disease is called fibrocystic breasts because doctors say that fibrocystic breasts are not considered a disease.
Fibrocystic breasts are made of tissue that feels lumpy in texture. These changes in the breast keep fluctuating during the menstrual cycle and are considered normal.
Symptoms
- tenderness of the breast,
- a sensation of pain around the breast
- feeling lumpy in the upper part of the breast.
- Green or brown nipple discharge
Treatment
Doctors say that for fibrocystic breasts making lifestyle changes can give comfort and relieve the symptoms that, includes
- Limit caffeine
- Eating less junk food
- A good support bra
- Vitamin E ( for breast pain)
- Evening primrose oil ( change fatty acids in the cells)
2. Fibroadenoma
A fibroadenoma, a usually painless and non-cancerous breast lump that happens in women(ages 15-35), is the most common type of lump found among young women, says Dr. Garvit, one of the best breast cancer surgeon in Mumbai.
The fibroadenoma has a well-defined shape and is firm, smooth and rubbery. These can vary in size; they can either be large or small.
Symptoms of fibroadenoma
- the shape of the breast is very distinct
- Hard or smooth
- Painless
- It can easily move under the breast skin
Treatment of fibroadenoma
Dr. Garvit says that no treatment is required for fibroadenoma; if the woman wants it removed, then the doctor will remove it surgically.
Some procedures to remove the fibroadenoma
- Lumpectomy – lumpectomy is a biopsy where the doctor removes a part of the breast tissue and sends it for examination in the lab to check for any cancer cells.
- Cryoablation – cryoablation is a procedure where the doctor will use gas to freeze and destroy the affected tissue
3. Breast Cyst
Breast cysts are fluid-filled sacs inside the breast. Breast cysts can occur more than once.
Symptoms of breast cysts
- Yellow or brown nipple discharge
- Breast pain
- Tenderness in the breast
- Increase in size before your menstrual cycle
Treatment
Treatment is not necessary for breast cysts. If you feel that the lump is not going away, you need to follow up with the doctor for treatment.
Some treatments include
- Use of hormones: The doctor might suggest oral contraceptives to regulate your menstrual cycles; this may help reduce the recurrence of breast cysts in women.
This is only done on women who have severe breast cysts.
- Surgery: Doctors only recommend surgery if it’s needed, like if the breast cyst recurs or if the breast contains bloody fluid.
- Medications like Tylenol, Advil, Motrin IB, and naproxen sodium are given to relieve pain.
4. Mastalgia
Mastalgia is also called breast pain. Mastalgia is defined as a throbbing, stabbing, sharp, burning pain in the breast. This pain can be mild to severe. This can occur in men, women, and transgender people.
Mastalgia is mostly a non-cancerous breast condition.
In men, this breast pain is referred to as gynecomastia, in which there is an increase in the amount of breast gland tissue that’s caused by an imbalance of testosterone.
In transgender men, this pain is caused by a small amount of breast tissue that remains after mastectomy, while in transgender women – hormone therapy might be the cause of mastalgia.
Symptoms
Mastalgia is either cyclic or noncyclic; cyclic is when the breast pain has a consistent pattern, while noncyclic is when the pain is constant, but its pattern is irregular.
Treatment
Mastalgia goes away on its own, so treatment is not really necessary.
The doctor might suggest some treatments to relieve pain:
- Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory cream
- Reduce hormonal therapy
- Avoid birth pills
- Wear a good support bra
- Prescription medication( danazol, tamoxifen)
5. Intradctal paillomasos of the breast
Intraductal papillomas are wart-like tumors that develop inside the milk ducts in the breast tissue. These tumors are made up of gland tissue, fibrous tissue, and blood tissue.
Solitary papillomas are individual tumors that grow in large milk ducts.
Symptoms
- Breast enlargement
- Nipple discharge
Treatment
Dr Garvit, one of the best breast cancer surgeon in Mumbai says that the standard treatment to remove the papilloma would be through surgery. The surgery is done under general anesthesia, so you’ll be asleep during this surgery.
The removed tissue will be checked for cancer cells, and if the tissue is found to be cancerous, then further treatment will be necessary.
