Lump in the mammary gland in women: causes and treatment

Thrombophlebitis

Blockage of a vessel by a thrombus. Stagnation forms in the vein, which provokes inflammation. The disease is caused by chest injuries, hormonal disorders, pathologies of the cardiovascular system, allergies, and infectious diseases. Venous nodes are easily palpable and sometimes protrude above the surface of the skin. The tissue over the affected area becomes red and swollen. The process is accompanied by pain. During treatment, it is necessary to fix the breast with an elastic bandage, warm compresses and anti-inflammatory ointments. Anti-inflammatory drugs are also prescribed in tablets. Additionally, it is necessary to undergo a course of physiotherapeutic procedures. In difficult cases, surgery is indicated.

Why do bumps appear and when does this happen?

There are many reasons for the appearance of unattractive protrusions in the nipple area. Here are some that are considered the most common:

presence of Montgomery tubercles;
tubercles formed in response to changes in hormonal levels (most often occurs during puberty and during pregnancy);
blockage of the sebaceous glands with secretions (acne);
pathological diseases of the skin (eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis);
allergic reactions.

Similar rashes occur in women of different age categories and in varying quantities. They can be single, several on the nipple, or they can be multiple, filling a large area of the areola. They look like a point that protrudes slightly above the surface of the skin and surrounds the nipple.

It is common to see up to 15 pimples on one breast.

When pimples appear in the last stages of pregnancy, this indicates the imminent arrival of milk, and as is already known, there is an opinion that the more units surround the nipple area, the more milk the new mother will have.

The appearance of this phenomenon during pregnancy is due to hormonal changes in the body of the expectant mother. These bumps are clearly visible throughout the entire breastfeeding phase. However, when the moment of lactation passes, Montgomery succumbs to regression and passes without a trace.

The appearance or increase in the number of tubercles, in some cases, is the first examination of the onset of pregnancy. In some pregnant women, they become inflamed from the very first days after conception, becoming the primary source of successful fertilization of the egg.

If such pimples appear as a result of pregnancy, then women should not worry; their presence in this case is considered normal and does not cause any harm to health, and also does not require treatment. Some women try to squeeze out the contents of the bumps, but this manipulation is unsafe, since through open pores there is an increased likelihood of infection and subsequently harmless bumps will cause a lot of problems and lead to complications.

There are incidents in which an inflammatory process occurs in the tubercles, which is quite common. A mammologist or gynecologist can diagnose such a problem. During inflammation, the tubercles turn red and pain is present. At the first manifestations, a chamomile decoction will be useful; it can cope with the initial stage. But if symptoms do not disappear, you should consult a doctor. It is not advisable to expose your breasts to overheating or apply hot compresses; these are favorable conditions for the development of bacteria. If an inflammatory process occurs during breastfeeding, you should stop feeding for a while until a definitive diagnosis is made.

Lipoma

A benign tumor in the subcutaneous fat. It is a soft round or oval capsule that moves easily when pressed. Appears due to blockage of the sebaceous gland duct, hormonal or metabolic disorders, or breast injury. If a lump near the nipple in women is a lipoma, then there may be no associated symptoms. With large tumors, the breast changes shape, and discomfort is felt when you press on the affected area. A tumor is removed if it is growing rapidly, affecting surrounding tissue, or if there is a family history of lipoma degeneration into cancer. In other cases, medical observation and treatment of concomitant diseases are indicated.

What does a lump on a cat's nipple indicate?

Older cats face a number of dangerous pathologies of a malignant nature that can be life threatening. Breast cancer is the fourth most common cancer. If a cat has a lump, lump or soft growth on the nipple, you should immediately take the animal to the veterinarian to rule out cancer.

Breast diseases

Lumps in the nipples of cats are an age-related disorder that affects animals over 7 years of age. The appearance of lumps around the cat's nipples can be caused by:

mastopathy;
breast cancer;
nipple abscess;
benign neoplasm.

Just like people, cats are susceptible to mastopathy. This is a disease of a hormonal nature, accompanied by the proliferation of breast tissue.

A nipple abscess can be caused by damage to the mammary gland followed by infection. This pathology is quite rare. Most often, veterinarians deal with breast cancer.

In 90% of cases, the formation of lumps and bumps in the nipples is accompanied by a malignant process.

Mastopathy in cats

Unsterilized cats over the age of five may develop mastopathy. This disease appears against the background of hormonal disorders.

Among the causes of mastopathy are inflammation of the genitourinary organs, endocrine disorders, and diseases of the adrenal glands.

In animals that have recently given birth, the development of mastopathy may be due to a decrease in general immunity or infection of the nipples during feeding of kittens.

With mastopathy, a lump does not always appear near the cat’s nipple; more often they turn to the veterinarian due to swelling and redness of the mammary glands. The animal feels pain, behaves lethargically and may refuse to eat.

One of the forms of mastopathy is mammary adenoma. The disease is manifested by hyperplasia of glandular tissue, which leads to the formation of dense lumps or tubercles directly in and around the nipples.

The development of mastopathy can only be prevented by sterilizing the cat before the onset of the first heat. In rare cases, the disease occurs in cats.

Uncastrated animals that have not been untied are susceptible to this disorder.

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Breast cancer

Malignant neoplasms of the mammary glands in cats are a disease of older animals that have given birth repeatedly. Untreated mastopathy often leads to oncology. In the initial stages, cancer has no specific symptoms. Small nodules may form in the mammary glands, which are often ignored.

As the disease progresses, a noticeable swelling appears, which is accompanied by pain when pressed. The neoplasm has a dense structure and can move freely under the skin. As the malignant process progresses, the cat loses its appetite, loses weight, and becomes lethargic.

Hair loss in the affected area, formation of weeping erosions and dense scabs are possible.

If a lump near the cat's nipple opens on its own, the animal should be hospitalized immediately. Otherwise, opening the tumor can cause death. Treatment of mastopathy and cancer

It is impossible to independently distinguish oncology from adenoma and mastopathy, so treatment should be selected by a doctor after diagnosis.

In cases of severe mastopathy, veterinarians recommend radical measures - complete removal of the mammary glands. This procedure will effectively get rid of the problem and prevent its progression, while simultaneously reducing the risk of developing cancer in the future.

Among the drug treatments, hormonal therapy is used, aimed at suppressing the activity of certain sex hormones in cats. The development of the disorder in young cats can be successfully treated by sterilizing the animal.

The doctor can also prescribe immunomodulators and iodine-containing drugs that will improve the trophism of the mammary glands and reduce the manifestation of the disease.

In oncology, the tumor is removed followed by histology. When cancer metastasizes, removal of lymph nodes is practiced. A course of chemotherapy is required to prevent progression of the disease.

The prognosis for recovery depends on the stage of the cancer. If a seal is detected in a timely manner in an animal’s nipples, you should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Complete removal of the mammary gland at the initial stage allows you to stop the pathological process; the prognosis at this stage is favorable.

It is important to remember that stage three and four cancers are often inoperable and lead to the death of the animal.

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Intraductal papilloma

Benign growth on the epithelium of the milk duct. The disease is most often caused genetically. Its occurrence can be triggered by any hormonal imbalance. The pathology is characterized by the formation of a round elastic node on the areola. Bloody or clear fluid is discharged from the nipple. When you press on the lump, pain is felt, the swelling decreases, and the discharge intensifies. When an infection occurs, pus appears, the neoplasm becomes denser, and the surrounding tissues swell. Treatment is exclusively surgical. In case of bacterial infection, antibiotics are additionally prescribed.

The appearance of a lump in the mammary gland in women

Among the large number of modern diseases, women are concerned about those related to the mammary glands. In addition to the well-known breast cancer, there are many other pathologies that can be very dangerous for general health.

The most common symptom is a lump appearing in the mammary gland in women. Of course, a diagnosis cannot be made based on one lump; this symptom is not enough for diagnosis.

A lot depends on where it is located, its size, density, and what other symptoms are present.

Nodular mastopathy

Formation of nodes and cysts in breast tissue. The pathology is caused by hormonal imbalance. The disease is characterized by the appearance of a lump near the nipple in women or in other parts of the breast. The tumor is easily palpated, but cannot be felt in the supine position. The seal is not fused to the skin and moves to the side when pressed. Before menstruation, the mammary gland swells and becomes painful. Chest pain radiates to the shoulder blade or shoulder. When you press on the lump, a clear, brown or bloody fluid sometimes comes out of the nipple. With the arrival of menstruation, the swelling subsides and the discomfort disappears. Treatment consists of restoring hormonal levels. Nodules and cysts are removed surgically.

The appearance of formations on and around the nipple

Lumps can appear not only in the mammary glands themselves, but also on the nipples, around the nipple and near the nipple. Most often, the appearance of seals near the nipple area is a benign formation. Small compactions, white, the consequences of the accumulation of secretion. When the duct is blocked, the secretion accumulates in the glands. This problem is only aesthetic in nature. This is not dangerous to health and goes away on its own over time. Therefore, if a white bump appears on the nipple, small in size, without pain, there is no reason to worry.

Sometimes such a growth can be a symptom of malignant processes. The appearance of warts, or as they are also called papillomas, is a consequence of a common disease called the human papillomavirus. There is only one treatment for it - surgical removal.

When a lump appears in the mammary gland, of all the questions, only one remains: “what could it be?” Don't immediately think about breast cancer. The appearance of lumps in the breast can be caused by completely natural processes in the body. In addition, they may turn out to be benign formations that do not cause harm to health. At the same time, it is worth monitoring your well-being and general condition more closely. If these seals do not cause any discomfort or pain, there is nothing particularly to worry about. However, it will not be superfluous to visit a doctor and consult.

Lactostasis

If a lump appears near the nipple and it hurts, it may be due to blockage of the milk ducts with stagnant breast milk. The pathology affects women during lactation. Congestion occurs due to injury and excessive pressure on the breasts from tight underwear, hypothermia, dehydration or incomplete emptying of the mammary gland. Milk plugs are visible as white dots on the nipple. Constant pain worsens after feeding. Lumps can be felt in the chest, the skin over them turns red. At the initial stages, you can cope with the problem yourself. Self-massage helps a lot.

To facilitate milk flow, apply a warm compress to the breast before feeding. It is necessary to properly attach the baby to the breast and feed him more often. If there is too much milk for the baby, you should express it. After completing the feeding process, apply a cold compress to relieve inflammation and reduce swelling. If fever, chills and general malaise occur, or symptoms do not subside within 2 days, seek medical attention to avoid complications. The doctor will prescribe oxytocin injections to improve milk flow or physical therapy.

Say a word about women's issues...

For women, the list of breast problems is slightly wider than for men. For example:

pregnancy period;
lactation;
and early post-lactation period.

During these periods, a woman experiences changes in her breasts associated with bearing and feeding a child. Before childbirth, the breasts begin to produce colostrum, and during the lactation period - milk.

Lumps in the breasts of a nursing mother are most likely due to the baby not drinking enough milk (you are not applying the baby to the nipple correctly, the baby is weak and cannot suck out further milk, or you have hyperlactation).

Breast lactostasis

The phenomenon is called lactostasis. And this is not uncommon when breastfeeding. Timely pumping, proper massage and banal cabbage compresses will help avoid this. Read more about this in our special articles.

Accompanied by lactostasis:

discomfort in the affected mammary gland during feeding;
redness of the skin;
swelling.

If the chest hurts and swells greatly, the body temperature rises, and signs of general intoxication appear. The matter is more serious - this is mastitis or inflammation of the mammary gland. This means that an infection has entered the area of milk stagnation.

By the way, mastitis can also affect men. The signs are the same as in women, however, they are not associated with lactostasis, but with the penetration of infection into the mammary gland and active reproduction there.

With mastitis you will need the help of a doctor, with purulent mastitis - a surgeon. To prevent surgery, at the first appearance of suspicious behavior of a lump in the area of the gland:

swelling;
pain (with mastitis, the bust hurts greatly, the pain is pulling, tugging, there is a feeling of tissue distension);
hyperemia (redness).

Purulent mastitis
Hurry to the doctor. In addition to the described reason, a lump in the mammary gland can be a sign of cancer (benign or malignant).

Paget's cancer

A form of cancer that affects the nipple and areola. Has an eczematous character. The first signs are peeling, redness and irritation of the skin around the nipple. Symptoms periodically disappear and return. Then there is tingling, burning and itching. A lump can be felt under the areola. Discharge appears. The nipple thickens or retracts. Erosion, ulcers and scabs form on the affected area, which begin to bleed over time. The lesions spread to the chest. They are raised above healthy skin and clearly defined. The axillary lymph nodes are enlarged. Surgical treatment is complemented by chemotherapy, hormone therapy and gamma therapy.

A lump near the nipple in women is not always a sign of a dangerous disease. But still, if such a symptom appears, you should consult a doctor. It is best to visit a mammologist. If this is not possible, you need to visit a gynecologist or surgeon.

White bumps on nipples

In most cases, pimples near the nipples are Montgomery tubercles, in other words, sebaceous glands on the areolas. They become especially noticeable during the period of bearing a child and breastfeeding the baby.

Each pimple produces a secretion, the meaning of which remains not fully understood.

There are several versions of what functionality these neoplasms carry:

Moistening the nipples with the secretion produced and preventing them from drying out.
Antibacterial properties.
The secretion produced by the body has a certain smell that is invisible to the sense of smell of an adult, but a newborn baby is able to detect it.

During one of the studies, doctors discovered the following pattern: the more such pimples on the chest, the better and faster the child develops. There have also been cases of breast milk being released from Montgomery's tubercles.

Causes of Montgomery tubercles

Pimples around the nipple on the breast in women can be slightly noticeable or quite pronounced. This factor is explained by the individual characteristics of the woman, as well as their number. The average number of white bumps around one nipple is 12-15 pieces, but this figure can be either more or less. There is another theory on the basis of which assumptions are made about the amount of milk a new mother has. The more such pimples, the more milk.

Montgomery tubercles are always present in a woman, but become more pronounced during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Presumably this happens due to hormonal changes. After lactation ends, the tubercles again become almost invisible.

Based on this symptom, many women can assume pregnancy has occurred immediately after the fertilized egg is implanted.

The appearance of Montgomery tubercles along the edge of the papilla is considered a normal physiological phenomenon that does not require treatment. It is strictly not recommended to squeeze out the contents of these pimples. Such actions can lead to injury to the nipple and infection of the wound. In addition, it is not uncommon for the tubercles on the nipples to become inflamed. The nipple area turns red and begins to hurt. In such a situation, you should definitely visit a gynecologist or mammologist. The decision to cope with the pathology on your own can lead to the development of serious complications.

The path is closed: what is the danger of a blocked milk duct?

Has feeding suddenly become painful? Has your general condition worsened? Has a white dot appeared on your nipple? It looks like a blocked milk duct. This happens when microbes get into the milk. Don't be scared!

Learning to cope

The blockage is formed due to the special activity of microorganisms - lactic acid bacteria or fungi. Normally, they are always found on the skin and in the human body, in the epithelial integument and, in fact, are considered full representatives of the normal human microflora.

What it is?

The coincidence of several unfavorable factors can disrupt the peaceful coexistence of beneficial and harmful microbes on the skin - then we talk about dysbiosis.

In the case of lactic acid bacteria and fungi, the danger is created by the acidic environment of the child’s oral cavity, stagnation of milk, non-compliance with hygiene rules, and improper attachment to the breast.

Lactic acid bacteria and fungi “like” warmth - plus 30–35 °C, the absence of fresh air and a strong flow of milk.

Important!

Normally, milk flow is one of the important conditions that inhibits the excessive development of fungi and lactic acid bacteria.

Knock out the cork

Sometimes milk stagnates at the exit from the duct and, exposed to bacteria, has time to curdle. A dense cheesy plug is formed that closes the outlet. When the nipple is exposed to fungus, the outlet openings are covered with a thin film.

The situation quickly worsens, since with each tide (that is, several times during one feeding), new portions of milk enter the clogged duct.

A child's grasping of the nipple can be very painful, and the pain leads to a decrease in lactation: due to stress, milk “disappears.”

Important!

Dealing with a cheesy plug on the nipple means ensuring unhindered milk flow. If the milk flows well, the blockage will most likely no longer form.

I can handle it

Externally, the blockage may appear as a white dot on the nipple or appear as a translucent, small, round callus that is creamy or white in color. Try massaging your breasts a little with gentle movements directed deep into the gland, and then express a little milk.

Under the influence of internal pressure against the background of a rush of milk, the film covering the outlet hole swells and a bubble forms. Just when the film is stretched, you can try to pierce it with a thin sterilized needle. When the outlet is free, milk may spurt out in a strong stream.

In any case, you must continue to monitor the condition of the blockage, treat the wound and take preventive measures against the formation of a new blockage. Rinse frequently for several days with a weak soda solution; it has a good antimicrobial effect.

If the mother experiences severe pain when the plug is pierced, then this method of treatment will not suit her. After traumatic procedures, each time you put your baby to the breast will be painful.

Important!

If a white dot appears on the nipple, then there is a high probability that the curdled milk has formed a dense plug that goes deep into the duct. There is no way to pierce it, just squeeze it out.

Under pressure

Squeezing, when the areola is squeezed by hand, can be painful. A breast pump or an ordinary large-volume syringe with a diameter of about 1 cm can help out. Before the procedure, do a breast massage: it will cause blood flow to the gland and stimulate the flow of milk. This phase lasts 5–10 minutes. At the same time, the mother feels warmth, tingling, and heaviness in her chest.

Important!

If you apply a breast pump to the “prepared” breast, it will pull out the cheesy plug less painfully and more effectively.

Who is guilty?

Milk is released from the breast under the influence of the hormone oxytocin. The active phase of feeding, when the baby swallows frequently, is called the tide, or oxytocin phase. It takes about 15 minutes of the entire meal. And the baby is able to spend much longer at the breast.

When stressed, he would rather comfort himself at the breast than eat. A need that is necessary for the baby, but dangerous for the mother. Prolonged presence of the nipple in the child’s mouth, not accompanied by a flow of milk, contributes to the formation of wounds, cracks, and plugs.

This often happens “not at home”: on trips, when moving, when visiting and visiting a doctor.

When a baby's oral microflora changes, this can harm the skin on the nipple and areola.

If your baby often regurgitates semi-digested milk and a thick white coating is visible on his tongue, then measures should be taken to protect the skin of the nipple.

They are very simple: use a protective lanolin nipple cream during feeding and rinse your breasts with warm water without soap after each feeding.

Important!

To prevent the nipple from being damaged by prolonged sucking, choose a replacement: for a newborn - a pacifier, and for an older child - a teether, sling beads, and a sippy cup.

There are options

About a quarter of cases of blockage of the milk duct occur during the introduction of new foods into the baby’s diet: sour fruits, juices, green apple puree, as well as fermented milk products. Children almost always wash down new foods with breast milk.

The acidic environment of a child’s oral cavity promotes the activation of lactic acid bacteria. As a result, the mother develops a cheesy plug on the nipple.

Often, plugs of the milk ducts occur as a side effect when the baby is not positioned correctly at the breast, if sucking is constantly painful for the mother.

Important!

When the baby does not take the breast deeply enough and squeezes the nipple, the breast is emptied unevenly and the flow of milk is disrupted.

How to prevent it?

The easiest and most effective preventative measure is proper nipple hygiene. To keep your skin healthy, it requires air and water. This sensitive area should rarely be washed with soap to avoid drying it out, but should be rinsed regularly with warm water.

If the baby’s tongue is covered with a thick white coating or the baby has oral thrush, then the mother needs, in parallel with treating the baby, to thoroughly rinse the nipple and areola after each feeding. Before feeding the baby after introducing sour fruits or lactic acid products, it is advisable to give the baby plain water to drink.

Particular attention should be paid to ventilation of the skin of the nipple, and to put it simply, it must be ventilated. Tightly closed, constantly warm and moist skin is prone to inflammation.

Important!

The use of synthetic disposable pads for leaking milk is generally undesirable for cracks or wounds on the nipple. The best material for mother's underwear, clothes and bra pads is natural cotton.

Lump near the nipple

The most common symptom is a lump appearing in the mammary gland in women. Of course, a diagnosis cannot be made based on one lump; this symptom is not enough for diagnosis.

A lot depends on where it is located, its size, density, and what other symptoms are present.