Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsNon-Cancerous CausesPrecancerous SignsCancerous Breast Lump DescriptionWhat to Do if You Feel a Breast LumpFAQ
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Non-Cancerous Causes
Precancerous Signs
Cancerous Breast Lump Description
What to Do if You Feel a Breast Lump
FAQ
Most lumps in the breast arebenign(noncancerous), and they feel different than a cancerous breast lump does. Benign lumps usually feel smooth, soft, and move from side to side.With cancer, a breast lump typically feels hard like a rock and is immobile when you push on it. The lump may also be irregularly shaped.
During a breast self-exam (BSE), you may notice such lumps or differences in the texture and appearance of your breasts, but only 3% to 6% of these changes are due to breast cancer.It’s not cause for alarm, but still, it’s best to get a breast lump checked out.
This article explains the differences between noncancerous and cancerous breast lumps. It discusses imaging tests, likemammograms,ultrasound, andmagnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and biopsy (tissue from the lump site) used to inform a healthcare provider’s diagnosis.
What Causes Non-Cancerous Breast Changes?
A lump in your breast may be a benign breast change that can occur due to hormonal fluctuations and age. Some people may experience a lump in the breast that comes and goes. Others may have cyclic breast changes, with a lump in the breast after their period that may need to be checked out.
Although most lumps are not cancerous, they can be painful and lead to infections. Any changes in your breast should be reported to a healthcare provider.
Breast Cysts
A breast cyst is a benign, fluid-filled sac in the breast tissue. About 50% of women aged 30 and over develop breast cysts, also called fibrocystic disease. In some cases, these cysts can be painful and require aspiration (fluid removal) if the mass is large and is causing problems.
Performing a monthly BSE isn’t the preferred screening for breast cancer; a mammogram is. But BSE does help you to become familiar with your breasts so you can report any changes to a healthcare provider quickly.
Breast Fibroadenomas
Breastfibroadenomasare benign tumors that consist of glandular and connective tissue. They typically affect women in their 20s and 30s, but they can occur at any age.
A fibroadenoma typically feels round and firm and moves beneath the skin during a BSE. Fibroadenomas are often located near the surface of the breast. However, some may be too small to feel and are detected incidentally on a mammogram.
Although cancer risk is extremely rare with fibroadenomas, a biopsy may be warranted if the mass is large enough.Lumpectomy, radiofrequency ablation, and several other fibroadenoma treatments are available to remove the benign tumor.
Adenosis
Mastitis
Sometimes it may be difficult to distinguish between mastitis and inflammatory breast cancer since symptoms of both include breast redness, tenderness, and rash.
Duct Ectasia
Mammary ductectasiais a benign condition in which the milk ducts become clogged and swollen, often causing a grayish discharge from the nipple. It may cause a small lump just under your nipple or cause the nipple to be retracted inward.
It most commonly occurs around the age of menopause. Mammary duct ectasia usually resolves independently or can be treated with antibiotics.
Fat Necrosis
This condition mimics breast cancer on imaging tests and requires a biopsy for diagnosis. Seatbelt injuries, breast surgeries such asbreast reduction, and taking blood thinner drugs are common causes of fat necrosis.
Breast Oil CystsBreast oil cysts develop as a result of fat necrosis. As fat cells die, their contents are released, forming a cyst filled with oil. Although breast oil cysts usually resolve with time, they can be removed if they become uncomfortable.
Breast Oil Cysts
Breast oil cysts develop as a result of fat necrosis. As fat cells die, their contents are released, forming a cyst filled with oil. Although breast oil cysts usually resolve with time, they can be removed if they become uncomfortable.
Other Benign Lumps
Other benign lumps includebreast hematomas,hemangiomas,adenomyoeptheliomas, and neurofibromas. Although these lumps are considered noncancerous, it’s important to continue monthly BSEs and report new breast changes to a healthcare provider.
According to a 2019 study in theInternational Journal of Cancer,women with benign breast disease (BBD) have an increased risk of developing breast cancer in the future. In addition, women with BBD, a family history of breast cancer, and genetic mutations have an even greater risk of developing breast cancer.
Can Men Have Breast Lumps?Men receive about 1% of all breast cancer diagnoses in the United States every year.They have breast lumps, too, most commonly under the nipple. Breast lumps in men are often more obvious (and easy to notice) because women have more breast tissue than men do.
Can Men Have Breast Lumps?
Men receive about 1% of all breast cancer diagnoses in the United States every year.They have breast lumps, too, most commonly under the nipple. Breast lumps in men are often more obvious (and easy to notice) because women have more breast tissue than men do.
What Are the Signs of Precancerous Breast Lumps?
Several benign breast lumps are strongly associated with increased cancer risk. Others are pre-cancerous growths that can transform into cancer cells later. While most benign breast lumps resolve independently or are removed for comfort, pre-cancerous lumps must be excised (surgically removed) entirely.
Intraductal Papillomas
Intraductal papillomasare tumors that begin in the milk ducts of the nipple and often cause nipple discharge. While these tumors are typically benign, they may be associated with an increased risk of cancer, particularly if there are regions of atypical hyperplasia (abnormal cells).
Surgical removal of the papilloma and the affected duct is often recommended.
Radial Scars
Contrary to what the name suggests,radial scarsare not actual scars, but the term describes how they look under a microscope. This condition often affects both breasts and is diagnosed with a biopsy.
Radial scars are an uncommon breast lesion that puts women at a slightly higher risk for developing breast cancer.They do not usually cause a palpable lump (one you can feel) but may appear as a spiky mass on a mammogram. Depending on how the tumor looks under the microscope, some radial scars need to be removed.
Ductal or Lobular Hyperplasia
Atypical lobular hyperplasiaandatypical ductal hyperplasiaare considered precancerous conditions.Atypical describes cells that look abnormal under a microscope, while hyperplasia describes an overgrowth of cells.
Breast tumors that have these characteristics are more likely to turn into cancer; therefore, close monitoring or surgical excision is required to treat these conditions.
In Situ Tumors (DCIS and LCIS)
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)is considered pre-invasive breast cancer or stage 0. When cancerous cells line the ducts of a breast lobule but do not invade the breast tissue, it’s called DCIS. However, if the cancer cells spread out to the surrounding tissue, it is considered invasive breast cancer. Several breast surgery options are available to treat DCIS.
Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)occurs when cancer cells are found in the lining of the breast lobule. Although LCIS is not considered a cancer diagnosis, people with LCIS have nine to 10 times the risk of developing invasive carcinoma compared to the general population.
Even with those odds, however, not all LCIS is treated surgically. Instead, some healthcare providers recommend regular breast screening and follow-up visits.
Phyllodes Tumors
Phyllodesbreast tumorsaccount for less than 1% of breast tumors. Approximately 60% to 75% of those cases are categorized as benign. Although most phyllodes tumors are noncancerous, the standard treatment is to surgically remove them.
Most breast cancers start in epithelial cells. In contrast, phyllodes tumors begin inmesenchymal cells(connective tissue cells), and the tumors are defined as sarcomas.
What Does a Cancerous Breast Lump Feel Like?
Breast cancer is a malignancy made of abnormal breast tissue cells. A cancerous breast lump may feel like it has an irregular shape and be hard like a pebble or a rock. Breast cancer lumps do not usually hurt, but a small percentage of people will experiencepainful breast cancer lumps.
If breast cancer goes untreated, it can spread to the lymph nodes, organs, and bones.
Malignant breast tumors include:
Where Are Breast Cancer Lumps Often Found?
A lump in your breast can be anywhere, but a cancerous lump most often occurs in the upper-outer section of the breast. It can be located near the surface or deeper inside the breast, close to the chest wall. It can also occur in the armpit area, where there is more breast tissue (a.k.a. the “tail” of the breast).
Metastatic Cancer
On rare occasions, other types of cancers can metastasize (spread) to organs and tissues, including the breasts, causing new lumps. A biopsy will determine which type of cancer is responsible for the breast tumors.
If the diagnosis is breast cancer, treatment depends on the stage at diagnosis and what mutations are causing the cancer to grow. In addition to surgery, treatments may include:
Breast Cancer in Black Women
A clinical breast exam, mammogram, and other imaging tests can offer clues as to whether a breast lump is cancerous or not. However, a needle or excisional biopsy is the only way to distinguish between cancerous and noncancerous conditions.
A pathologist looks at the biopsied tissue under a microscope and determines what type of breast cancer it is and how aggressive it may be. There are many variations in breast cancer that make the disease unique to each person who is diagnosed with it.
Since it can take up to 72 hours to get biopsy results, the wait can be stressful. Maintaining your daily routine and focusing on health can be helpful during this time.
How to Do a Breast Self-Exam
Mammograms are needed for routinebreast cancer screening, and breast self-exam is no longer recommended.However, many people still prefer to do them. Plus, it is important for women to know how their breasts normally look and feel and to immediately inform their healthcare provider of any changes. To complete a monthly breast exam:
If you notice any changes on a breast self-exam, notify your healthcare provider.
Summary
Although breast lumps are common, they can also be unnerving. Rest assured that most are not cancerous. Benign breast masses may or may not put you at a higher risk for breast cancer in the future. Other lumps are precancerous, meaning they could turn into cancer later.
Performing monthly breast self-exams allows you to become familiar with your breast’s appearance, shape, and size so you can recognize new lumps early.
Breast cancer is curable if caught early, so be sure to complete your recommended breast cancer screenings. You shouldn’t wait to get a breast lump checked. Contact a healthcare provider right away, since early diagnosis and treatment may improve the outcome if it’s cancer.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIt depends. The growth rate of a breast cancer tumor varies based on several factors: the cancer type, tumor characteristics, and the genetics of the cancer. Aggressive breast cancer types, like inflammatory breast cancer, can grow and spread quickly.Learn MoreWhat Is Inflammatory Breast Cancer?Breast changes while nursing can be expected and may include a clogged milk duct or mastitis. However, it is important to report any new lump to a healthcare provider since some of these benign conditions still require treatment with antibiotics.Learn MoreWhat Is Mastitis?Mammograms have a black background with white and gray coloring to show breast tissue. Cancerous tumors typically show as a very defined, bright white spot, though dense breast tissue can make them harder to see. Aradiology specialistis an expert in reading these imaging tests.Learn MoreNormal and Abnormal Mammogram Images
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends. The growth rate of a breast cancer tumor varies based on several factors: the cancer type, tumor characteristics, and the genetics of the cancer. Aggressive breast cancer types, like inflammatory breast cancer, can grow and spread quickly.Learn MoreWhat Is Inflammatory Breast Cancer?
It depends. The growth rate of a breast cancer tumor varies based on several factors: the cancer type, tumor characteristics, and the genetics of the cancer. Aggressive breast cancer types, like inflammatory breast cancer, can grow and spread quickly.
Learn MoreWhat Is Inflammatory Breast Cancer?
Breast changes while nursing can be expected and may include a clogged milk duct or mastitis. However, it is important to report any new lump to a healthcare provider since some of these benign conditions still require treatment with antibiotics.Learn MoreWhat Is Mastitis?
Breast changes while nursing can be expected and may include a clogged milk duct or mastitis. However, it is important to report any new lump to a healthcare provider since some of these benign conditions still require treatment with antibiotics.
Learn MoreWhat Is Mastitis?
Mammograms have a black background with white and gray coloring to show breast tissue. Cancerous tumors typically show as a very defined, bright white spot, though dense breast tissue can make them harder to see. Aradiology specialistis an expert in reading these imaging tests.Learn MoreNormal and Abnormal Mammogram Images
Mammograms have a black background with white and gray coloring to show breast tissue. Cancerous tumors typically show as a very defined, bright white spot, though dense breast tissue can make them harder to see. Aradiology specialistis an expert in reading these imaging tests.
Learn MoreNormal and Abnormal Mammogram Images
19 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.Breast cancer signs and symptoms.Stachs A, Stubert J, Reimer T, Hartmann S.Benign breast disease in women.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2019;116(33-34):565-574. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2019.0565Alberta Health Services.Fibrocystic breasts.Lee M, Soltanian HT.Breast fibroadenomas in adolescents: current perspectives.AHMT. 2015;6:159-163.doi: 10.2147/AHMT.S55833American Cancer Society.Adenosis of the breast.Hester RH, Hortobagyi GN, Lim B.Inflammatory breast cancer: early recognition and diagnosis is critical.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2021;225(4):392-396. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2021.04.217American Cancer Society.Duct ectasia.Vasei N, Shishegar A, Ghalkhani F, Darvishi M.Fat necrosis in the breast: A systematic review of clinical.Lipids in Health and Disease. 2019;18(1):139. doi:10.1186/s12944-019-1078-4Zeinomar N, Phillips KA, Daly MB, et al.Benign breast disease increases breast cancer risk independent of underlying familial risk profile: Findings from a prospective family study cohort.Int J Cancer. 2019;145: 370-379. doi:10.1002/ijc.32112Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About breast cancer in men.American Cancer Society.Intraductal papillomas of the breast.Cohen MA, Newell MS.Radial scars of the breast encountered at core biopsy: Review of histologic, imaging, and management considerations.Am J Roentgenol. 2017;209(5):1168-1177. doi:10.2214/AJR.17.18156American Cancer Society.Hyperplasia of the breast (ductal or lobular).Wen HY, Brogi E.Lobular carcinoma in situ.Surgical Pathology Clinics. 2018;11(1):123-145.Ditsatham C, Chongruksut W.Phyllodes tumor of the breast: diagnosis, management and outcome during a 10-year experience.CMAR. 2019;11:7805-7811.American Cancer Society.Types of breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Treating breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Breast cancer early detection and diagnosis.American Cancer Society.Frequently asked questions about the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer screening guideline.Additional ReadingJha A, Agrawal V, Tanveer N, Khullar R.Metaplastic breast carcinoma presenting as benign breast lump.J Cancer Res Ther. 2017 Jul-Sep;13(3):593-596. doi: 10.4103/0973-1482.183221.Salemis NS.Intracystic breast carcinoma.An important differential diagnosis in postmenopausal patients presenting with a rapidly growing breast cyst. Management and literature review.Breast Dis. 2018;37(4):219-224. doi:10.3233/BD-170316.
19 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.Breast cancer signs and symptoms.Stachs A, Stubert J, Reimer T, Hartmann S.Benign breast disease in women.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2019;116(33-34):565-574. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2019.0565Alberta Health Services.Fibrocystic breasts.Lee M, Soltanian HT.Breast fibroadenomas in adolescents: current perspectives.AHMT. 2015;6:159-163.doi: 10.2147/AHMT.S55833American Cancer Society.Adenosis of the breast.Hester RH, Hortobagyi GN, Lim B.Inflammatory breast cancer: early recognition and diagnosis is critical.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2021;225(4):392-396. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2021.04.217American Cancer Society.Duct ectasia.Vasei N, Shishegar A, Ghalkhani F, Darvishi M.Fat necrosis in the breast: A systematic review of clinical.Lipids in Health and Disease. 2019;18(1):139. doi:10.1186/s12944-019-1078-4Zeinomar N, Phillips KA, Daly MB, et al.Benign breast disease increases breast cancer risk independent of underlying familial risk profile: Findings from a prospective family study cohort.Int J Cancer. 2019;145: 370-379. doi:10.1002/ijc.32112Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About breast cancer in men.American Cancer Society.Intraductal papillomas of the breast.Cohen MA, Newell MS.Radial scars of the breast encountered at core biopsy: Review of histologic, imaging, and management considerations.Am J Roentgenol. 2017;209(5):1168-1177. doi:10.2214/AJR.17.18156American Cancer Society.Hyperplasia of the breast (ductal or lobular).Wen HY, Brogi E.Lobular carcinoma in situ.Surgical Pathology Clinics. 2018;11(1):123-145.Ditsatham C, Chongruksut W.Phyllodes tumor of the breast: diagnosis, management and outcome during a 10-year experience.CMAR. 2019;11:7805-7811.American Cancer Society.Types of breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Treating breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Breast cancer early detection and diagnosis.American Cancer Society.Frequently asked questions about the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer screening guideline.Additional ReadingJha A, Agrawal V, Tanveer N, Khullar R.Metaplastic breast carcinoma presenting as benign breast lump.J Cancer Res Ther. 2017 Jul-Sep;13(3):593-596. doi: 10.4103/0973-1482.183221.Salemis NS.Intracystic breast carcinoma.An important differential diagnosis in postmenopausal patients presenting with a rapidly growing breast cyst. Management and literature review.Breast Dis. 2018;37(4):219-224. doi:10.3233/BD-170316.
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.Breast cancer signs and symptoms.Stachs A, Stubert J, Reimer T, Hartmann S.Benign breast disease in women.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2019;116(33-34):565-574. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2019.0565Alberta Health Services.Fibrocystic breasts.Lee M, Soltanian HT.Breast fibroadenomas in adolescents: current perspectives.AHMT. 2015;6:159-163.doi: 10.2147/AHMT.S55833American Cancer Society.Adenosis of the breast.Hester RH, Hortobagyi GN, Lim B.Inflammatory breast cancer: early recognition and diagnosis is critical.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2021;225(4):392-396. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2021.04.217American Cancer Society.Duct ectasia.Vasei N, Shishegar A, Ghalkhani F, Darvishi M.Fat necrosis in the breast: A systematic review of clinical.Lipids in Health and Disease. 2019;18(1):139. doi:10.1186/s12944-019-1078-4Zeinomar N, Phillips KA, Daly MB, et al.Benign breast disease increases breast cancer risk independent of underlying familial risk profile: Findings from a prospective family study cohort.Int J Cancer. 2019;145: 370-379. doi:10.1002/ijc.32112Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About breast cancer in men.American Cancer Society.Intraductal papillomas of the breast.Cohen MA, Newell MS.Radial scars of the breast encountered at core biopsy: Review of histologic, imaging, and management considerations.Am J Roentgenol. 2017;209(5):1168-1177. doi:10.2214/AJR.17.18156American Cancer Society.Hyperplasia of the breast (ductal or lobular).Wen HY, Brogi E.Lobular carcinoma in situ.Surgical Pathology Clinics. 2018;11(1):123-145.Ditsatham C, Chongruksut W.Phyllodes tumor of the breast: diagnosis, management and outcome during a 10-year experience.CMAR. 2019;11:7805-7811.American Cancer Society.Types of breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Treating breast cancer.American Cancer Society.Breast cancer early detection and diagnosis.American Cancer Society.Frequently asked questions about the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer screening guideline.
American Cancer Society.Breast cancer signs and symptoms.
Stachs A, Stubert J, Reimer T, Hartmann S.Benign breast disease in women.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2019;116(33-34):565-574. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2019.0565
Alberta Health Services.Fibrocystic breasts.
Lee M, Soltanian HT.Breast fibroadenomas in adolescents: current perspectives.AHMT. 2015;6:159-163.doi: 10.2147/AHMT.S55833
American Cancer Society.Adenosis of the breast.
Hester RH, Hortobagyi GN, Lim B.Inflammatory breast cancer: early recognition and diagnosis is critical.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2021;225(4):392-396. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2021.04.217
American Cancer Society.Duct ectasia.
Vasei N, Shishegar A, Ghalkhani F, Darvishi M.Fat necrosis in the breast: A systematic review of clinical.Lipids in Health and Disease. 2019;18(1):139. doi:10.1186/s12944-019-1078-4
Zeinomar N, Phillips KA, Daly MB, et al.Benign breast disease increases breast cancer risk independent of underlying familial risk profile: Findings from a prospective family study cohort.Int J Cancer. 2019;145: 370-379. doi:10.1002/ijc.32112
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About breast cancer in men.
American Cancer Society.Intraductal papillomas of the breast.
Cohen MA, Newell MS.Radial scars of the breast encountered at core biopsy: Review of histologic, imaging, and management considerations.Am J Roentgenol. 2017;209(5):1168-1177. doi:10.2214/AJR.17.18156
American Cancer Society.Hyperplasia of the breast (ductal or lobular).
Wen HY, Brogi E.Lobular carcinoma in situ.Surgical Pathology Clinics. 2018;11(1):123-145.
Ditsatham C, Chongruksut W.Phyllodes tumor of the breast: diagnosis, management and outcome during a 10-year experience.CMAR. 2019;11:7805-7811.
American Cancer Society.Types of breast cancer.
American Cancer Society.Treating breast cancer.
American Cancer Society.Breast cancer early detection and diagnosis.
American Cancer Society.Frequently asked questions about the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer screening guideline.
Jha A, Agrawal V, Tanveer N, Khullar R.Metaplastic breast carcinoma presenting as benign breast lump.J Cancer Res Ther. 2017 Jul-Sep;13(3):593-596. doi: 10.4103/0973-1482.183221.Salemis NS.Intracystic breast carcinoma.An important differential diagnosis in postmenopausal patients presenting with a rapidly growing breast cyst. Management and literature review.Breast Dis. 2018;37(4):219-224. doi:10.3233/BD-170316.
Jha A, Agrawal V, Tanveer N, Khullar R.Metaplastic breast carcinoma presenting as benign breast lump.J Cancer Res Ther. 2017 Jul-Sep;13(3):593-596. doi: 10.4103/0973-1482.183221.
Salemis NS.Intracystic breast carcinoma.An important differential diagnosis in postmenopausal patients presenting with a rapidly growing breast cyst. Management and literature review.Breast Dis. 2018;37(4):219-224. doi:10.3233/BD-170316.
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