What are the common causes of hard lumps under nipples. How can you distinguish between benign and cancerous breast lumps. When should you seek medical attention for a breast lump. What are the treatment options for different types of breast lumps.

Common Causes of Breast Lumps: From Benign to Cancerous

Discovering a hard lump under your nipple can be alarming, but it’s essential to understand that most breast lumps are not cancerous. In fact, up to 80% of breast biopsies reveal benign conditions. However, it’s crucial to be aware of the various causes of breast lumps and know when to seek medical attention.

Benign Breast Lumps

Several common conditions can result in non-cancerous breast lumps:

• Cysts: Fluid-filled sacs that are usually 1-2 inches wide, smooth, and round
• Lipomas: Soft, fatty lumps that are generally painless and easy to move
• Fibroadenomas: Hard, round lumps that are most common in women in their 20s and 30s
• Fibrocystic changes: Hormone-related changes that can cause tender, fibrous, or rubbery breast tissue
• Fat necrosis: Firm lumps or cysts resulting from injury to fatty breast tissue
• Mastitis: An infection of breast tissue, often occurring in breastfeeding women

Precancerous Breast Lumps

Some breast lumps, while not immediately cancerous, require medical attention due to their potential to develop into cancer:

• Intraductal papillomas: Tumors forming in milk ducts, associated with increased cancer risk
• Hyperplasia: Abnormal cell growth in fatty tissue or ducts, which may become cancerous if left untreated
• In situ tumors: Non-invasive, stage 0 cancers that need removal to prevent progression

Cancerous Breast Lumps

Breast cancer lumps are invasive and caused by atypical breast tissue cells. These can spread to other parts of the breast, lymph nodes, and potentially other areas of the body if left untreated.

Distinguishing Features of Benign vs. Cancerous Breast Lumps

While it’s impossible to definitively determine if a lump is cancerous without medical examination, some characteristics can provide clues:

Benign Lump Characteristics

• Easy to move and roll between fingers
• Smooth, round shape with clear edges
• May be tender, especially during menstrual cycles
• Can appear and disappear with hormonal changes

Potentially Cancerous Lump Characteristics

• Difficult or impossible to move with fingers
• Irregular shape with unclear edges
• Usually painless, but may cause discomfort
• Persistent and doesn’t change with menstrual cycles

Can you determine if a breast lump is cancerous based on feel alone. No, a medical professional’s evaluation and potentially imaging or biopsy are necessary for a definitive diagnosis.

When to Seek Medical Attention for a Breast Lump

While most breast lumps are benign, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare provider if you notice:

• A new lump that doesn’t disappear after your next menstrual cycle
• Changes in the size, shape, or texture of an existing lump
• Nipple discharge, especially if it’s bloody or from only one breast
• Changes in breast skin texture, such as dimpling or puckering
• Persistent breast pain or discomfort

How quickly should you see a doctor after discovering a breast lump. It’s best to schedule an appointment within a few weeks of noticing a new or changed lump, especially if it persists through your next menstrual cycle.

Diagnostic Procedures for Breast Lumps

When you consult a healthcare provider about a breast lump, they may recommend various diagnostic procedures:

Clinical Breast Examination

A thorough physical examination of the breasts and surrounding areas to assess the lump’s characteristics and check for any other abnormalities.

Imaging Tests

• Mammogram: X-ray images of the breast tissue
• Ultrasound: Sound waves used to create images of breast tissue
• MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging for detailed breast tissue visualization

Biopsy

If imaging tests are inconclusive or suggest a potentially cancerous lump, a biopsy may be necessary. This involves removing a small sample of tissue for laboratory analysis.

What is the most definitive way to diagnose a breast lump. A biopsy is the most conclusive method for determining whether a breast lump is cancerous or benign.

Treatment Options for Different Types of Breast Lumps

The appropriate treatment for a breast lump depends on its underlying cause:

Benign Lumps

• Cysts: May resolve on their own or require drainage if large or painful
• Fibroadenomas: Often left untreated, but may be surgically removed if large or growing
• Mastitis: Usually treated with antibiotics and symptom management

Precancerous Lumps

• Hyperplasia: Typically removed surgically to prevent potential cancer development
• In situ tumors: Surgical removal, possibly combined with radiation therapy

Cancerous Lumps

Treatment for breast cancer may involve a combination of:

• Surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy)
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Hormone therapy
• Targeted therapy

How is the treatment plan for breast cancer determined. The appropriate treatment is based on factors such as cancer stage, type, and individual patient characteristics, decided upon by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals.

Preventive Measures and Breast Health Awareness

While not all breast lumps can be prevented, there are steps you can take to maintain breast health and detect potential issues early:

Regular Self-Examinations

Performing monthly breast self-exams can help you become familiar with your breast tissue and more easily notice changes.

Clinical Breast Exams

Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider should include clinical breast examinations.

Mammograms

Follow recommended guidelines for mammogram screenings based on your age and risk factors.

Lifestyle Factors

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Avoid smoking

How often should women perform breast self-examinations. It’s recommended to perform self-exams once a month, preferably a few days after your menstrual period ends when breasts are least likely to be swollen or tender.

Psychological Impact of Breast Lumps and Coping Strategies

Discovering a breast lump can be emotionally challenging, regardless of whether it turns out to be benign or cancerous. It’s essential to address the psychological impact and develop effective coping strategies:

Common Emotional Responses

• Anxiety and fear
• Depression
• Anger or frustration
• Feelings of vulnerability

Coping Strategies

• Seek support from family, friends, or support groups
• Educate yourself about breast health and your specific condition
• Practice stress-reduction techniques such as meditation or yoga
• Consider professional counseling if needed

How can partners or family members support someone dealing with a breast lump diagnosis. Offering emotional support, attending medical appointments, helping with daily tasks, and encouraging open communication can be invaluable forms of support.

Advances in Breast Lump Detection and Treatment

Ongoing research and technological advancements continue to improve our ability to detect and treat breast lumps:

Improved Imaging Techniques

• 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) for more detailed breast imaging
• Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) for better visualization of abnormalities
• Automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) for more comprehensive screening

Minimally Invasive Biopsy Techniques

Advancements in biopsy procedures allow for more accurate sampling with less discomfort and scarring.

Targeted Therapies

Development of new drugs that target specific genetic mutations or proteins involved in cancer growth.

Personalized Medicine

Tailoring treatment plans based on individual genetic profiles and tumor characteristics.

What is the potential impact of artificial intelligence on breast lump detection and diagnosis. AI algorithms are being developed to assist radiologists in interpreting mammograms and other imaging studies, potentially improving accuracy and efficiency in breast lump detection.

Understanding the various causes, characteristics, and treatment options for breast lumps can help alleviate anxiety and promote proactive breast health management. While most lumps are benign, it’s crucial to seek medical attention for proper evaluation and diagnosis. Regular self-examinations, clinical check-ups, and adherence to screening guidelines are essential components of maintaining breast health. By staying informed and vigilant, individuals can ensure early detection and timely treatment of any breast abnormalities, ultimately contributing to better overall health outcomes.

What Does a Hard Lump in the Breast Mean?

Breast lumps are very common. Fortunately, they’re not always a cause for concern. Ordinary reasons such as hormonal changes can cause breast lumps that appear and disappear on their own.

Over 1 million women have breast biopsies each year. According to the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, these tests show that up to 80 percent of lumps are benign, or noncancerous.

While you can’t determine on your own whether a lump is cancerous or not, you can learn some signs to look out for. These signs can tell you if a lump might be concerning and help you decide when to seek medical care.

You might be worried if you discover a lump in your breast, but lumps aren’t always a sign of a serious condition. Most breast lumps aren’t caused by cancer, especially if you’re under 40 years old and haven’t had breast cancer in the past.

Breasts are made up of many parts, including:

• nerves
• blood vessels
• connective tissue
• glandular tissue
• milk glands
• milk ducts
• fat

Together, these can make breasts feel uneven and lumpy.

Hard breast lumps will feel different from your typical breast tissue. They often have several harmless causes, including:

• hormonal changes during your menstrual cycle
• clogged milk ducts
• infections

Typically, noncancerous lumps will be easy to move and roll between your fingers. Lumps you can’t move and roll with your fingers have a greater chance of being cancerous and are a cause for concern.

Benign breast lumps

A variety of conditions can cause lumps in your breast tissue. Some causes, such as menstrual cycle changes, can create breast lumps that form briefly and go away on their own. Other causes might need medical attention but are not cancer.

Some common and benign reasons for breast lumps include:

• Cysts. A cyst is a fluid-filled sac. They’re generally 1 to 2 inches wide, smooth, and round, with clear, defined edges. Cysts may be tender to the touch, especially during your period. Cysts will often come and go throughout your menstrual cycle. But large or painful cysts might need further medical care.
• Lipomas. A lipoma is a fatty lump that can form in your breast tissue. These lumps are generally painless, soft, and easy to move with your fingers. Lipomas are always benign, but your doctor might order a biopsy to confirm the lump is a lipoma and not cancer.
• Fibroadenoma. These benign lumps are most common during your 20s and 30s, but can occur at any age. A fibroadenoma lump generally will be hard and round. You’ll be able to move the lump with your fingers. Sometimes, your doctor will biopsy or remove fibroadenoma lumps to make sure they’re not cancerous. In many cases, they can be left untreated without causing harm.
• Fibrocystic changes. These changes are caused by hormonal fluctuations and are very common in women ages 30 to 50. They can cause your breasts to feel tender, fibrous, and rubbery. They might also cause fluid-filled cysts to form. Fibrocystic changes often occur in middle age and can sometimes be treated with birth control or dietary changes.
• Fat necrosis. Fat necrosis happens when the fatty tissue of your breast is injured. It can cause round, firm lumps or cysts to form. Fat necrosis lumps sometimes need surgical removal.
• Mastitis. Mastitis is an infection of the breast tissue, such as a milk duct. It’s most common in women who are breastfeeding. Mastitis can cause your breast to be lumpy, swollen, warm, and red, and may give you a fever. In most cases, it can be treated with antibiotics. In some cases, your doctor might want to do a biopsy to make sure your symptoms aren’t caused by cancer.

Precancerous breast lumps

Some breast lumps are caused by conditions that aren’t cancer but still call for medical attention. If these lumps don’t get treatment, they can increase your risk of cancer or even progress into cancerous tumors.

Common types of precancerous breast lumps include:

• Intraductal papillomas. These tumors form in the milk ducts and are usually benign. However, they are associated with an increased risk of cancer. They often cause nipple discharge along with lumps.
• Hyperplasia. Breast hyperplasia can be located in the fatty tissue of your breast (lobular hyperplasia) or the ducts (ductal hyperplasia). It causes lumps that aren’t cancerous, but can become cancerous without treatment. Hyperplasia lumps need to be removed as soon as possible.
• In situ tumors. Just like hyperplasia lumps, in situ tumors can form in the fatty tissue (lobular carcinoma in situ) or ducts (ductal carcinoma in situ). These tumors aren’t invasive and are considered stage 0 cancer. They need to be removed before they can progress to an invasive cancer stage.

Breast cancer lumps

Breast cancer lumps are invasive. They’re caused by atypical breast tissue cells that can grow and spread to the rest of your breast, lymph nodes, and other organs.

Early breast cancer usually doesn’t have any signs or symptoms because of its small size. In these cases, it’s most commonly identified on routine screening tests.

When breast cancer advances, it often first appears as a single, hard, one-sided lump or thick area under your skin with irregular borders. Unlike benign lumps, you generally can’t move a breast cancer lump with your fingers.

Breast cancer lumps usually aren’t tender or painful to the touch. They most often appear in the upper section of your breast in the area toward your armpit. They can also appear in your nipple area or the lower half of your breast.

Other signs that might point to breast cancer include:

• a lump that is irregularly shaped
• a lump with a dimpled or bumpy surface
• a change in the appearance of your nipples
• a change in the texture of your breasts
• a change in the shape of your breasts, including asymmetry
• open wounds that develop on your breasts without any injuries
• nipple discharge
• nipple tenderness
• nipples that are inverted
• swollen glands in your armpits

Men can also experience hard lumps in their breast tissue. Similar to lumps in women’s breast tissue, lumps aren’t necessarily cancer or a serious condition. For example, lipomas and cysts can cause lumps in men’s breast tissue.

Often, hard breast lumps in men are caused by a condition called gynecomastia. This condition causes men’s breast tissue to become enlarged and can cause a lump to form under the nipple. The lump is often tender and can occur in both breasts.

In some cases, this condition is brought on by hormonal imbalances or a medication, but in other cases, no clear cause can be found.

Fortunately, gynecomastia doesn’t cause medical harm, but it can damage the self-confidence and self-esteem of affected men. Treatment depends on the cause, and might include:

• medications
• weight loss
• surgery

Many causes of breast lumps are benign and can even go away on their own. However, it’s always a good idea to have a breast lump checked out by a medical professional.

For more benign lumps, this can mean simply bringing the lump up with your doctor at your next regularly scheduled appointment. For lumps that might be cancer, it’s best to make an appointment right away.

There are several signs to look for that can indicate that a lump may be cancerous. Use them to decide when to seek treatment.

When to bring a lump up at your next physical

Some breast lumps aren’t harmful and can wait to be discussed with your doctor. These include lumps that:

• shrink and grow during your menstrual cycle
• are tender or painful
• can be easily moved with your fingers

It’s best to always trust your instincts when it comes to a breast lump. If your lump meets these criteria, but something doesn’t feel right, make a medical appointment right away. While most breast lumps aren’t cancer, it’s a good idea to get something checked out, especially if you’re concerned about it.

When to make an appointment for a breast lump

If a breast lump could be harmful, make an appointment for a medical professional to evaluate it soon. Don’t wait until your next appointment. Signs it’s a good idea to make an appointment include breast lumps that:

• can’t be moved with your fingers
• grow over time
• don’t cause pain or tenderness
• have bumpy surfaces

When a breast lump is an emergency

A breast lump along with other signs could mean you should seek emergency care. If you have breast cancer that has begun to spread, an appointment can’t wait. It’s best to seek urgent medical care if you have a hard breast lump and:

• you are experiencing bloody nipple discharge
• your nipples have changed appearance or become inverted
• you have a fever
• the glands under your arms are swollen

A lump along with any of these signs doesn’t always mean you have invasive breast cancer or even breast cancer at all. However, because breast cancer is most treatable when it’s caught early, it’s important not to wait.

Again, it’s always best to follow your instincts. If you have a hard lump in your breast and are concerned something is seriously wrong, make an appointment.

Many hard lumps in breast tissue are harmless. They can be caused by hormonal changes and might come and go on their own. These lumps are often easily moved with your fingers and might be tender to the touch. Lumps caused by breast cancer generally don’t cause pain and can’t be easily moved.

It’s a good idea to mention any lump you feel in your breasts to a medical professional. They might want to order a biopsy to find out exactly what it is and get you the best treatment.

Found a Lump? When You Should Worry About Breast Cancer

Understanding cysts, lumps, and growths

If you have found a lump in one of your breasts, most women begin to worry about breast cancer. After all, a lump can, in rare cases, mean cancer. 

Since it can be difficult to tell what is causing a lump in your breast, you should call your doctor if you feel a new lump, or if you notice a distinct lump that is not like the rest of your breast.

The following are types of breast lumps and their symptoms.

Cysts and abscess lumps in either breast

Cysts are fluid-filled sacs in the breast. They feel smooth or rubbery and move about under the fingers. They can be quite painful or tender, or they may be painless. Cysts are caused by the hormones that control the menstrual cycle. Cysts are rare in women older than 50 and are not related to breast cancer. If you have a cyst, your doctor may drain (aspirate) it to help relieve the pain and confirm the diagnosis.

Sebaceous cysts are caused by plugged ducts at the site of a hair follicle. Like a cyst, they move freely under the fingers. Hormone stimulation or injury may cause them to enlarge. A sebaceous cyst that does not cause symptoms does not require medical treatment. Removal usually involves making a small incision in the skin and removing the entire sac so that it does not return.

Abscesses are pockets of infection within the breast. They may be quite painful, and the skin over the breast may be red or feel hot or solid. You may feel feverish or ill. Abscesses are treated with antibiotics and surgery to drain the abscess. They are most common in women who are breastfeeding.

Fatty lumps may or may not be painful

Fat necrosis is a condition in which the normal fat cells of the breast go through a change and become round lumps. The lumps may or may not be painful and may be firm. The skin over the lump may be red or look bruised. Fat necrosis may occur after a bruise or other injury to the chest or breast and can occur from weeks to years after an injury. Fat necrosis usually goes away without treatment but can form permanent scar tissue that may show up as an abnormality on a mammogram.

Lipomas are noncancerous lumps of fatty tissue. They can be small or large. A woman may have just one or several lipomas at once.

Smooth, round growths in your breast and nipple discharge

Adenomas are noncancerous abnormal growths of the glandular tissue in the breast. The most common growths, fibroadenomas, are somewhat more common in women in their 20s and in women of African descent. They usually feel round and firm and have smooth borders. They may move a little under the fingers, be tender, and change with the menstrual cycle. Adenomas are not related to breast cancer.

Intraductal papillomas are growths in the ducts of the breast. They usually feel like lumps just under the nipple and can cause a bloody discharge from the nipple. Women close to menopause may have only one growth. Several growths in both breasts are more common in younger women.

Breast cancer usually feels like a hard or firm lump (nodule). It usually is irregular in shape (it does not have smooth edges) and may feel like it is attached (fixed) to skin or tissue deep inside the breast so that it cannot be moved without moving breast tissue. Breast cancer is rarely painful and can occur anywhere in the breast or nipple.

Blood clots can feel like a breast lump

Blood clots in a vein (thrombophlebitis) can feel like a lump. The phlebitis affects the large vein that normally crosses the chest to the underarm area (axilla). Symptoms include pain, redness, warmth, and lumpiness along the course of the vein. Blood clots in the breast or on the chest wall are rare.

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General breast lumpiness

Generalized breast lumpiness usually feels like lots of little bumps (nodularity) or as though some areas of the breast are thicker or denser than other areas. Your breasts also may feel tender. The lumps may occur in both breasts around the nipple and in the upper, outer part of the breasts, especially before your menstrual period. The lumps may come and go and change size in just a few days.

Generalized lumpiness was once thought to be abnormal and was even called fibrocystic breast disease, but it is so common that it is now considered normal. Breast lumpiness usually goes away after menopause but may be found in women who are taking hormone therapy after menopause.

Do monthly breast exams and talk to your doctor

Even though breast lumps are common, especially in women ages 30 to 50, become familiar with your own body, and watch for changes. And when you find changes, talk to your doctor.

Many women might be willing to accept the benefit of finding cancer early at the risk of the anxiety of a false positive. And sometimes it helps just to find out that a lump you discovered is not cancerous. So talk to your doctor about new lumps or other symptoms that cannot be explained or that don’t go away in a few weeks. 

Make an appointment today

Call Genesis Central Scheduling at (740) 454-4242 to schedule a mammogram. To make an appointment with a provider at the Genesis Breast Care Center, call (740) 454-5221.

Why lumps appear in the breast: is it definitely cancer

I felt some suspicious ball in my chest and immediately decided that it was a sign of breast cancer? Such a scenario is possible, but not absolutely necessary. There are quite a few reasons why seals appear in the chest. Some of them can be really serious, while others are almost harmless.

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Women Health

Women’s breasts

mammary cancer

Indeed, the first thought that arises in almost any woman who has discovered a suspicious lump in her chest is the thought of oncology. Breast cancer has been and remains one of the most common and well-known cancers in women. It is he who is suspected if the structure of the breast is not the same as usual.

Do not self-medicate! In our articles, we collect the latest scientific data and the opinions of authoritative health experts. But remember: only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment.

However, there are many reasons for the appearance of seals. Some seals really signal that something is wrong in the body, while others are a variant of the norm. A doctor will help determine which case you have – in case of the slightest suspicion, it is better to contact a mammologist for advice and additional examinations.

Fibroadenoma

Fibroadenomas, benign tumors in the breast, are common in adolescent girls and young women, although they can also occur at an older age, such as during pregnancy.

Doctors do not always decide to remove fibroadenomas: if the nodule is small, they often simply choose to wait and see. With the help of ultrasound, they monitor whether the seal increases in size or nothing happens to it. If necessary, a biopsy may be prescribed to clarify the origin of the node.

Ductal papilloma

Induration may be caused by a mass in one or more ducts of the breast. This is a kind of “wart”, which consists of glandular and fibrous tissues, and receives nutrition from blood vessels suitable for it.

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Nodules caused by ductal papilloma may be located both in the thickness of the breast tissue and near the nipple. It is far from always possible to feel them – often the first sign indicating the development of such papillomas is the appearance of greenish discharge from the nipple. If you notice something like this, immediately consult a doctor, it may be a symptom of other not so good conditions.

The appearance of ductal papilloma is a rather rare finding. They occur in about 2-5% of women, usually between the ages of 30-55. Doctors usually decide to remove the papilloma, for which a small operation is performed.

It is important to remember that the appearance of a single papilloma does not say anything about high or low chances of breast cancer. But in the event that several of them were found, there is a reason for concern. Another alarming symptom is the detection of ductal papillomas at a young age.

Mastopathy

This is perhaps the most common change that occurs with the female breast. According to some scientists, almost every second woman aged 20 to 50 faced mastopathy. Mastopathy is not considered a disease and can occur against the background of hormonal changes or, for example, shortly before the onset of menstruation.

The period of menstruation is usually accompanied by changes in our body: weight may increase due to swelling, and the breasts may become swollen. The appearance of nodes is also possible. Usually, the appearance of seals during menstruation is accompanied by severe soreness of one or both mammary glands. Some claim that avoiding caffeine these days can make things easier, but this recommendation cannot be called universal. To relieve pain, you can try warm compresses and obligatory breast support – a sports bra-top is better for these purposes.

Fat necrosis

Fat necrosis is more common in women with large breasts, and it appears against the background of various injuries. So, for example, fat necrosis is often found in those who have undergone breast surgery, but can also occur after strong blows. It can also occur a couple of years after the incident, when women forgot to even think that someone once accidentally poked them with an elbow or a car belt dug into their chest during heavy braking.

Fat necrosis lumps can be very hard, which is, of course, quite frightening. Such a finding in itself is not dangerous, but requires a mandatory visit to a doctor. After conducting examinations and confirming the fact that we are not talking about a malignant formation, these seals will become the reason for regular visits to the mammologist, but the doctor will not cut them out – he will simply continue to observe.

Phylloid tumor

Leaf-like fibroadenomas, also called phyllodes, are quite rare and account for no more than 1% of all breast tumors. If they occur, then, as a rule, in women after 40.

In most cases, they are completely harmless and do not require any active action. But you need to follow them after detection – in about every tenth case, a phylloidal tumor can begin to grow rapidly, degenerating into a malignant one. It is not easy to treat such formations, and in fact, the only approach is surgical.

Remember that you need to visit a mammologist every year even if nothing bothers you. If the breast or some part of it began to look different, there was swelling, discharge from the nipple, pain or other symptoms, then this is a reason to run to the doctor right now, without postponing the visit.

Photo: Shutterstock

Male Nipple Lump, What Causes Updated 06/10/2023

Male Nipple Lump, Nipple Ball is an overgrowth of tissue that can be frightening and distressing. Most neoplasms are not dangerous, but it is important to see a doctor in order to find out their cause in a timely manner.

A lump in the breast may look like a ball the size of a pea or a bean and may be a sign of breast cancer, but often it is not associated with cancer.

Lump, ball in the nipple in men – what is it?

When a boy goes through puberty, all sorts of changes take place in his body. Some guys get a small lump in one or both breasts that can be painful. It’s called gynecomastia and it’s normal.

In fact, about half of all boys develop gynecomastia during puberty. This usually goes away when a guy ends puberty.

Men can also develop gynecomastia. The male breast becomes enlarged, sometimes a seal or a ball may form under the nipple. This condition may be due to a hormonal imbalance or a side effect of medications, although additional testing may be needed to determine the cause.

What are the reasons for the appearance of a ball in the nipple of a man

Lumps in the chest occur for many reasons

Lumps in the chest can result from:

• changes in breast tissue (fibrocystic changes) – tiny, fluid-filled sacs and fibrous tissue feel like lumps
• breast cysts – fluid-filled sacs form when fluid enters the milk ducts. But cysts are common in premenopausal women
• infection and trauma – serious damage to the breast tissue or nearby nerves can lead to the formation of lumps in the breast. Doctors describe this condition as fat necrosis. A buildup of infected fluid (abscess) in breast tissue can also cause a lump, which is often associated with localized breast pain and skin inflammation
• breast cancer – a painless, hard, irregular lump of the breast that differs from the surrounding breast tissue may be cancer

How breast lumps are treated

Breast lump treatment in men depends on the cause. Some balls and bumps do not require any treatment.

The doctor may recommend:

• antibiotics for chest infections.
• drainage of fluid from a breast cyst (if it is large or painful).
• excision biopsy to remove mass (if cancer is suspected)
• oncology treatment if the mass is a biopsy confirmed breast cancer. Cancer treatment may include lumpectomy, mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

When should I see a doctor about a lump in my chest?

Breast lump treatment depends on the cause

Breast tissue is naturally bumpy. If the swelling is similar to the rest of the breast or to another breast, the person has nothing to worry about. You should consult a doctor if the following symptoms are noticed:

• an unusual lump in the nipple or mass in the breast that feels firmer than the rest of the breast or is different on one side than the other
• other breast changes, including nipple inversion (turning inward), skin dimples, or bloody/clear nipple discharge
• redness, pain or tenderness in the chest
• nipple changes such as irritation or peeling

The appearance of lumps in the chest in men can be due to various reasons.