A lump in the breast is a common clinical presentation. In every case of a breast lump, in both males and females, carcinoma must be excluded.

Causes

Discrete lumps

Malignant

  • Carcinoma ( Fig. 7 )

    Figure 7, Left-sided breast cancer .

  • Phyllodes tumour (some behave in benign fashion)

Benign

  • Fibroadenoma

  • Cyst (in cystic mastitis)

  • Duct ectasia

  • Sebaceous cyst

  • Galactocele

  • Fat necrosis

  • Lipoma

  • Tuberculous abscess • (common in parts of the world where TB is endemic)

Generalised swelling

  • Pregnancy

  • Lactation

  • Puberty

  • Mastitis

Swellings behind the breast

  • Retromammary abscess from chest disease

  • Tietze’s disease

  • Rib deformities

  • Chondroma of the costal cartilages

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