Breast Lump Treatment

Most breast lumps are benign (non-cancerous), while other breast lumps may be malignant (cancerous).
The breast tissues often change their size, shape, and texture with hormonal changes. Other times, it could be a serious condition that may need surgical treatment. 

Types and causes: 

The different types of breast lumps include:

Benign breast lumps: They can be of the following types:

1. Breast cysts: These types of breast lumps are filled with fluid.  They are usually smooth, rubbery, and painless. 
2. Abscess: This is a type of breast lump that arises because of bacterial growth. This growth can be painful and feel like a solid mass.
3. Fibroadenoma or adenoma: These types of breast lump forms in the glandular tissue of the breast. It is usually round in shape, has smooth borders, and is firm when touched.
4. Fibrocystic changes: These types of breast lumps are milk ducts that tend to grow in response to the hormones that are released around the periods.
5. Intraductal papillomas: These types of breast lumps develop in the milk ducts beneath the nipple. These lumps have wart-like growth and may sometimes lead to bloody discharge from the nipple.
6. Lipoma: These are breast lumps that contain fatty tissues. They are usually moveable and soft lumps that do not cause any type of pain.
7. Mastitis or infection: These lumps occur due to the bacteria that block the milk ducts and cause infection. These lumps may be painful and may lead to a burning sensation in the affected area.
8. Fat necrosis: This condition develops when the fat tissues inside the breast disintegrate or get damaged. This leads to necrosis (death) of the fatty tissue and the formation of a breast lump.

Malignant breast lumps: These are cancerous breast lumps that may appear in the breast or the underarm.

Symptoms

Depending on the cause and type of the breast lump, the symptoms associated with a breast lump also vary. Some of the common symptoms associated with breast lumps may include the following:

1. An area in the breast that is clearly different from any other area on either breast
2. A thickened area near or in the breast that lasts through a woman’s menstrual cycle
3. A lump or mass felt under the breast skin
4. A change in the size, shape, and contour of the breast
5. Bloody or clear fluid coming out of the nipple
6. Red skin on the breast or nipple
7. Dimpled, scaly, inflamed, or puckered skin on the breast or nipple

Diagnosis

1. Physical examination: The doctor will physically examine the breast to identify the lump. You will be asked about your symptoms, and the kind of changes that you may have noticed in the shape, size, and texture of each breast.
2. Mammogram: This test involves obtaining an image of the breast to enable the doctor to identify the changes in the breast tissues.
3. Ultrasound: This test is performed to obtain clear images of the internal breast using high-frequency sound waves.
4. MRI scan: This test helps in identifying the breast lump by creating high-contrast images of the soft tissues.
5. Biopsy: This procedure involves obtaining a sample of the breast tissue from the breast lump and sending it to the laboratory for evaluation. The different types of biopsy procedures that can be performed include:
6. Fine-needle aspiration: This procedure involves using a needle to obtain a fluid sample from the breast lump.
7. Core needle biopsy: The procedure involves taking a sample of the fluid or tissue in the lump using a bigger needle with the help of ultrasound.
8. Stereotactic biopsy: The lump sample is taken by using a needle and a mammogram will be used at the same time to obtain images of the breast lump from different angles.

Treatment

The type of breast lump treatment required will depend on the cause of the breast lump. The different types of breast lump treatments include:
1. Treatment for breast cysts:
Drainage by using a needle
Drainage by surgery

2. Treatment for abscess:
Abscess can be drained with a fine needle or lanced

3. Treatment for fibroadenoma:
Surgical  removal 

4. Treatment for fibrocystic changes:
Usually do not require any treatment and go away on their own after the completion of a menstrual period

5. Treatment for intraductal papillomas:
Surgical removal of the papilloma and the affected region of the milk ducts

6. Treatment for lipoma:
Surgical removal for painful lipomas

7. Treatment for mastitis or breast infection:
Antibiotic medications
Drainage of fluid by surgery

8. Treatment for fat necrosis:
Lumpectomy (a surgical procedure performed to remove the breast lump)

9. Treatment for pre-cancerous breast lump or a breast lump that is painful or enlarging:
Excisional biopsy
Lumpectomy 

10. Treatment for breast cancer or tumor:
Lumpectomy
Mastectomy (surgical removal of the breast tissue)
Chemotherapy (use of drugs to kill cancer cells)
Radiation therapy (use of high-powered energy beams to kill cancer cells)

Risks

Lumpectomy may lead to the following complications:

1. Infection 
2. Blood clot formation 
3. Bleeding
4. Allergic reaction to the anesthesia used
5. Delay in wound healing
6. Pain
7. Scarring
8. Swelling 
9. Numbness or tingling sensation around the surgical site
10. Change in the breast appearance

Mastectomy may be associated with the following complications:

• Infection
• Fatigue 
• Bleeding
• Allergic reaction to the anesthesia used
• Blood clot formation
• Hematoma (collection of blood around the wound)
• Seroma (collection of fluid around the wound)
• Lymphedema (swelling of the arms)
• Nerve pain
• Stiffness of the shoulder
• Formation of scar tissue 

Chemotherapy may be associated with the following complications:

1. Nausea
2. Fatigue
3. Vomiting
4. Loss of hair
5. Infection 
6. Sleep disturbances 
7. Infertility 
8. Low blood counts
9. Premature menopause
10. Nerve damage
11. Damage to kidneys
12. Damage to the heart
13. Depression 
14. Blood cell cancer (rare)

Radiation therapy may be associated with the following complications:

• Skin irritation 
• Fatigue
• Discoloration of the skin
• Secondary cancer development 
• Heart damage
• Lung tissue inflammation

After Procedure

The following are the post-procedure steps following breast lump treatment:

1. Depending on the type of treatment you undergo, you may be discharged on the same day after treatment or one or two days after treatment.
2. It is normal to have some pain after treatment. The doctor will prescribe pain-relieving medications to relieve your discomfort.
3. Have regular follow-up appointments with your doctor. The doctor will evaluate how successful the treatment was, as well as the need for any further treatment.

Home remedies:

The following home remedies are useful in enabling a smooth recovery following breast lump treatment:

1. Breast tenderness could be a sign of iodine deficiency, and the doctor may recommend iodine supplements for the same.
2. Wear a support bra during the recovery period after treatment to relieve your discomfort.
3. An ice pack application for two to three days after treatment, followed by a warm compress during the recovery period can help in reducing the pain and swelling after treatment.
4. Hot compress can help in drainage or shrinkage of cysts.
5. Take adequate rest after treatment.
6. Take all the medications prescribed by the doctor regularly.
7. Avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting during the recovery period.

Cost of Breast Lump Treatment in India- 

The cost of non-surgical methods, such as the use of antibiotics and fluid drainage, for breast lump treatment in India is between INR 2,000 to INR 20,000.

The cost of surgical methods, like lumpectomy and mastectomy, for breast lump treatment in Mumbai is between INR 1,50,000 to INR 2,50,000.
The cost of surgical methods, like lumpectomy and mastectomy, for breast lump treatment in Delhi is between INR 1,25,000 to INR 2,25,000.
The cost of surgical methods, like lumpectomy and mastectomy, for breast lump treatment in Bangalore is between INR 1,25,000 to INR 2,25,000.
The cost of surgical methods, like lumpectomy and mastectomy, for breast lump treatment in Chennai is between INR 1,00,000 to INR 2,00,000.

The cost of cancer treatment methods, like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, for breast lump treatment in Mumbai is between INR 1,75,000 to INR 7,50,000.
The cost of cancer treatment methods, like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, for breast lump treatment in Delhi is between INR 1,50,000 to INR 7,00,000.
The cost of cancer treatment methods, like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, for breast lump treatment in Bangalore is between INR 1,50,000 to INR 7,00,000.
The cost of cancer treatment methods, like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, for breast lump treatment in Chennai is between INR 1,00,000 to INR 6,00,000.