Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Adenosisof the breast is a condition in which milk-producing glands (called lobules) become enlarged, creating lumps that you can sometimes feel. Adenosis is a benign (non-cancerous) condition often spotted during a breast self-exam ormammogram. Premenopausal women are most commonly affected.
While certain types of adenosis may increase the risk ofbreast cancer—specifically the sclerosing adenosis that causes tissue scarring—adenosis in and of itself is not cancerous. Treatment is usually not necessary unless there is pain.
This article describes the symptoms and causes of adenosis of the breast, including how the condition is diagnosed and treated. It also explains why this benign condition is sometimes monitored for breast cancer.
Also Known AsMammary adenosisAggregate adenosisTumoral adenosisAdenosis tumor
Also Known As
Mammary adenosisAggregate adenosisTumoral adenosisAdenosis tumor
Symptoms of Breast Adenosis
Adenosis of the breast may not be detectable during abreast self-examorclinical breast exam. This is because the lumps are often small and not situated near the surface of the skin.
Adenosis is more likely to be felt when there are several lumps or you have sclerosing adenosis which tends to cause larger, hardened lumps.
Symptoms of breast adenosis include:
These symptoms can get better and worse in line with the phases of your menstrual cycle. One or both breasts may be affected.
Unlike many types of breast cancer, adenosis does not change the skin or shape of the breast. It also does not affectlymph nodes.
What Do Breast Cancer Lumps Feel Like?
Terry Vine/Blend Images/Getty Images
What Causes Adenosis of the Breast?
Scientists do not know what causes adenosis. Some research suggests that, in some people, the hormoneestrogentriggers the rapid growth of cells lining milk-producing glands. This would explain why the lumps get larger or smaller during the menstrual cycle.
Risk factors for breast adenosis include:
Having these risk factors does not mean you will get adenosis of the breasts. Other factors such as genetics may contribute. More research is needed.
How Breast Adenosis Is Diagnosed
Given that adenosis can feel similar to other breast lumps, a physical exam is not enough to confirm a diagnosis. Imaging tests such as amammogramorultrasoundcan certainly help, but even those have limitations.
To definitively diagnose adenosis, your healthcare provider will need to perform abiopsyto obtain a tissue sample to evaluate in the lab.
Three different biopsy techniques can be used for this:
When viewed under the microscope, the cells lining the wall of the growth will look compressed. With sclerosing adenosis, there will be extensive calcification and tangled, fibrous cells both in the wall and surrounding membranes.
Breast Biopsy Procedure: What to Expect
How Is Breast Adenosis Treated?
Since adenosis is not cancer, no treatment is necessary. If the breasts are painful, wearing a bra with good support may help. For some females, reducing caffeine consumption has been known to help (although it is unclear why).
Does Caffeine Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer?
Summary
Adenosis of the breast is a noncancerous condition in which the milk glands increase in size. This can cause lumps that may be painful and change in size during your menstrual cycles.
Adenosis lumps can be seen on a mammogram but require a breast biopsy to ensure that the growth isn’t breast cancer. While no surgical treatment is needed, routine breast cancer screening may be recommended if you have a type of adenosis called sclerosing adenosis.
Causes and Risk Factors of Breast Cancer
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Adenosis of the breast.Visscher DW, Nassar A, Degnim AC, et al.Sclerosing adenosis and risk of breast cancer.Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2014;144(1):205-12. doi:10.1007/s10549-014-2862-5Worsham MJ, Raju U, Lu M, et al.Risk factors for breast cancer from benign breast disease in a diverse population.Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2009;118(1):1-7. doi:10.1007/s10549-008-0198-8American Cancer Society.Breast biopsy.American Academy of Family Physicians.Benign breast conditions.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Adenosis of the breast.Visscher DW, Nassar A, Degnim AC, et al.Sclerosing adenosis and risk of breast cancer.Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2014;144(1):205-12. doi:10.1007/s10549-014-2862-5Worsham MJ, Raju U, Lu M, et al.Risk factors for breast cancer from benign breast disease in a diverse population.Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2009;118(1):1-7. doi:10.1007/s10549-008-0198-8American Cancer Society.Breast biopsy.American Academy of Family Physicians.Benign breast conditions.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society.Adenosis of the breast.Visscher DW, Nassar A, Degnim AC, et al.Sclerosing adenosis and risk of breast cancer.Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2014;144(1):205-12. doi:10.1007/s10549-014-2862-5Worsham MJ, Raju U, Lu M, et al.Risk factors for breast cancer from benign breast disease in a diverse population.Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2009;118(1):1-7. doi:10.1007/s10549-008-0198-8American Cancer Society.Breast biopsy.American Academy of Family Physicians.Benign breast conditions.
American Cancer Society.Adenosis of the breast.
Visscher DW, Nassar A, Degnim AC, et al.Sclerosing adenosis and risk of breast cancer.Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2014;144(1):205-12. doi:10.1007/s10549-014-2862-5
Worsham MJ, Raju U, Lu M, et al.Risk factors for breast cancer from benign breast disease in a diverse population.Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2009;118(1):1-7. doi:10.1007/s10549-008-0198-8
American Cancer Society.Breast biopsy.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Benign breast conditions.
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