Diseases of the Breast

Diseases of the Breast They have a wide range of clinical presentations. The benign pathology of the breast is the most frequent, but despite this, we must always carry out a good follow-up. It is important to carry out an accurate study in order to safely rule out possible cases of malignancy.

El Institute of Dra. Gómez Roig has units of gynecology in Barcelona with specialist doctors in breast pathology.

At the Corachan Clinic, where the Institute is located, there is a Expert Breast Committee and multidisciplinary.

The Committee integrates all the specialists dedicated to breast diseases to share knowledge and agree on the best possible treatment.

The team of the Gynecological Institute in Barcelona This highly specialized medical service offers you. Without neglecting the human warmth that we all need.

What types of breast diseases can we find? 

The problems that we can find in the breasts include pain or tenderness, discharge from the nipples, inversion of the nipple, changes in the skin of the breasts, and breast lumps or nodules.

Diseases of the breast can appear in women, at all ages. From adolescence to adulthood.

On the other hand, we must emphasize that we always have to give importance to the pathology of the breast to carry out an early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

The different diseases of the breast we can classify them into:

Breast lump or lump

Most nodules or growths in women between the ages of 20 and 50 are benign and not cancerous. Despite this, a good diagnosis must be made. Breast examination by a specialist is essential.

Depending on the age of the patient, we can follow different behaviors when studying a tumor:

• In women under 30 years of age, it is recommended to perform the examination after menstruation. Often the nodules can appear by hormonal changes and are resolved after the rule. If the lump does not disappear after this, additional examinations such as breast ultrasound will be requested. The mammograms They are generally not performed on women under 30 years of age because they are less useful in young and fibrous breasts.
• If the woman is over 30 years of age, it is recommended to perform both imaging tests: breast ultrasound and mammography.

If in the imaging techniques it is suspected that a nodule is doubtful of benignity, a puncture can always be indicated to obtain a biopsy and study the case in more detail.

A characteristic that is defined with the breast ultrasound is whether the nodule is solid or liquid.

• cysts Fluid-filled tumors are almost always benign and are not related to cancer. These are only treated if they cause discomfort. Treatment includes puncture and drainage of the fluid with a fine needle.
• solid nodulesDepending on the size and image they present, they can also be labeled by puncture and biopsy. Most are benign and are called fibroadenomas.

skin changes of the breast 

The skin changes of the breast or changes in the appearance of the skin may be associated with itching, scaling, swelling, redness, or changes in skin color. Although most of these changes are caused by non-major problems, it is always recommended to consult the specialist doctor.

We must know that skin changes may be related to unusual forms of breast cancer, how is the Paget's disease or inflammatory breast cancer.

Apart from medical examination and imaging techniques, in these cases a skin biopsy can also help to make a good diagnosis.

discharge from the nipple

Sometimes we can find secretions that come out of the milky nipples. This fact is called galactorrhea and usually occurs in both nipples.

The fluid that comes out is just like the milk that occurs after childbirth.

La galactorrhea it most often occurs during the first year or two after delivery. Taking certain medications, as in hypothyroidism, these secretions may also appear.

Abnormal growth of a gland in the brain called the pituitary gland may also increase the secretion of a hormone that produces leakage of milk from the nipples.

Apart from milk, there may also be other types of secretions. The most common is a small amount of yellowish, greenish, or brownish fluid. This is often called a normal, physiologic discharge, and is not a cause for concern.

The secretion that is never normal, and for which we should consult, is bloody or reddish. These types can be related to breast cancer.

In some cases, a mammogram, breast ultrasound, and/or examination of the milk ducts using a test called galactography.

inverted nipples

Many women are born with inverted nipples inside. For other women this happens after breastfeeding. If it happens this way it is not worrying.

Instead, if your nipples start to invert for no obvious reason, this should be checked.

A malignant mass of the breast can retract the nipples and cause inversion.

Medical examination and imaging techniques are recommended.

When should I consult? 

You should always check with diseases of the breast. Whenever something new appears in the vision or breast examination, it is recommended that you request an appointment with your gynecologist in the next few days or a few weeks.

Although breast diseases are not usually an emergency, the delay in the diagnosis or treatment of some of them can have negative consequences.

When requesting a consultation for this reason, always inform that it is something related to the breast. Request a visit without delay.