Pain In Breasts - Reasons On Which Treatment Is Dependent!

Feeling a lump in your breasts can be scary. 'Cancer' is the first thing that comes to mind but in reality, most lumps in the breast are not caused by cancer. Apart from cancer, breast lumps can be caused by non-cancerous growths, injuries and infections. The only way to correctly diagnose the cause of a lump in the breasts is through a biopsy. Hence, this is the first step towards treating a breast lump. 

From here on, treatment will depend on the cause identified. 

Mastitis or Breast Infection: Mastitis is a painful infection of the breast tissue often faced by women who are breastfeeding. It can be treated with hot fomentation and antibiotics. Massaging the breast while taking a warm shower or applying a warm compress. This will open up the milk ducts and should be followed by nursing the baby or using a breast pump to relieve the swelling and pain. 

Abscess: Antibiotics are the first line of treatment against an abscess but this is effective only if given in the initial stage of the infection. In later stages, the pus will need to be surgically drained. 

Fibroadenomas: This is a non-cancerous tumour often found in young women. They can be diagnosed on examination and sonography of breasts. These are surgically removed with a minor surgery if increasing in size or causing pain. 

Fibrocystic Changes: In some cases, the breast itself is composed of knotted, rope like tissue. This is known as having fibrocystic breasts. These changes occur due to hormonal changes in women and are often painful. They can usually be treated with medications after confirmation of diagnosis. 

Breasts Cysts: Cysts can be defined as fluid filled lumps. In some cases, these cysts become apparent at the time of ovulation and disappear after the period. In other cases, it may need to be drained with a thin needle. Cysts often recur and need to be re-drained. Fat Necrosis and Lipoma: Fat necrosis is a lump caused by an injury to the fatty tissue in the breast. Lipoma is a fatty growth within the fatty tissue. In both these cases, no treatment is required but if it causes any problems, it can be removed. 

Breast Cancer: If the biopsy or mammography reveals the presence of a cancerous tumour, you must immediately consult a surgeon. There are excellent new treatments available for Breast cancer and it can be treated effectively with these. Treatment options for breast cancer include chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and hormone treatment.