"What is a Benign Breast Tumor?"

Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast tumors are mostly benign, with painless lumps as the initial symptom, or symptoms such as nipple discharge and nipple changes. Adenofibromas and intraductal or intracystic papillomas are relatively common among benign breast tumors. Due to traditional beliefs, most people think that breast tumors only occur in women, but there are also male breast tumors. Male benign breast tumors primarily include cysts, adenofibromas, lipomas, and papillomas.

Classification of Benign Breast Tumors:

1. Breast Fibroadenoma:

Breast fibroadenoma is the most common benign tumor in young women, often presenting as painless tumors discovered incidentally. They are initially small but grow rapidly, slowing down or stopping at around 3cm. They are round or oval, with clear boundaries, more protruding than flat, and have an uneven surface. They feel like small nodules when palpated, sometimes with distinct lobulations, are moderately hard, non-tender, and freely movable. Surgical resection of breast fibroadenoma has good outcomes, but if new fibroadenomas continue to appear, surgical treatment may no longer be suitable. Androgen therapy can be attempted. Oral testosterone should be started within a week after menstruation stops and ended before the next menstruation begins, in small daily doses not exceeding 100mg. Avoid menstrual cycle disturbances during treatment.

2. Breast Cystic Hyperplasia:

Breast cystic hyperplasia refers to epithelial hyperplasia of the milk ducts or alveoli, accompanied by ductal dilation or cyst formation. It is common in women around 40 years old but can also occur in younger and older women. The duration from onset to treatment varies, from just a few days to over a decade. Main manifestations include lumps, segmental breast nodules, and nipple blood or serous discharge. Breast pain is not pronounced, being dull or stabbing, and accompanied by pain when the ducts begin to dilate. Treatment involves traditional Chinese medicine for soothing the liver and regulating qi, resolving phlegm and unblocking meridians, and promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis, as well as western medical hormone therapy. Surgical removal with pathological examination may be considered if these are ineffective.

3. Breast Intraductal Papilloma:

Breast intraductal papilloma refers to papillomas occurring in the milk ducts from the ductal opening to about 1cm below the ampulla. They are mostly solitary, with multiple occurrences being rare. Breast examination may reveal nipple discharge, pain, and palpable tumors. Cytological examination of nipple discharge smears may show red blood cells and epithelial cells, sometimes tumor cells, but benignity or malignancy is often indeterminate. Treatment should be tailored to the patient's specific symptoms and condition. Large duct papillomas rarely become cancerous, so they should not be considered precancerous lesions. Local excision of large duct papillomas rarely leads to recurrence, so total mastectomy should be carefully selected.

4. Lipoma:

Lipoma is the most common benign tumor on the body surface, occurring in any structure with adipose tissue but most commonly on the body surface and in the breast. This benign breast tumor is more common in obese female patients, with an onset age of 30-50 years. It presents as a single, round or lobulated soft mass with clear boundaries, slow growth, and rare malignancy. Surgical resection is the primary treatment method, but the surgery must be thorough to prevent recurrence from residual tissue. Resected tissue should undergo pathological examination to avoid missed diagnoses due to combined tumors.

5. Breast Leiomyoma:

The uterus is the most common site of leiomyomas, while breast leiomyomas are extremely rare. The only treatment is surgical.

6. Other Benign Breast Tumors:

In addition to the above, there are also breast hamartomas, soft fibromas, neurofibromas, hemangiomas, neurilemmomas, and granular cell tumors. It is important to remember that even benign tumors should not be neglected or left untreated, as improper treatment can still cause significant harm. In summary, early detection and treatment are crucial.