{"id":1508,"date":"2022-08-15T11:36:06","date_gmt":"2022-08-15T11:36:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/?p=1508"},"modified":"2026-04-29T17:15:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T17:15:11","slug":"breast-lump-evaluation-what-to-expect","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/patient-resources\/blog\/breast-lump-evaluation-what-to-expect\/","title":{"rendered":"Breast Lump Evaluation | What to Expect | Doral Beach Gynecology"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although many experts from the medical field usually say that the majority of lumps found in the breast tissue are benign or noncancerous, it is still not easy to deal with the notion that something can be wrong with your health, especially when it comes to the diagnosis of breast cancer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A breast lump is most often defined as a growth in the tissue of your breasts, and it can appear in different sizes, shapes, and structures. Mostly the lumps are noncancerous, and they are called fibroadenomas. When there is a suspicion by the general practitioner that the lump might be malign or cancerous, there is a series of tests done, such as breast biopsy and x-ray, to establish a correct diagnosis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is generally advised not to self-diagnose when it comes to breast lumps because there is no technique that one can use at home to get an accurate diagnosis. Look for a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gynecologist in Doral, FL<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, who can run different tests and determine the status of the breast lump in question. Try not to do it on your own because there is no need to put yourself through additional unnecessary stress.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is also essential to note that although breast cancer is almost always associated with women, men can also suffer from breast lumps and cancer. Hormonal changes cause the formation of lumps in most cases, and they can develop at any age.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Causes Breast Lumps?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1510 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2022\/09\/What-Causes-Breast-Lumps-.jpg\" alt=\"Doctor and Young Woman Checking Her Breast on Grey Background.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2022\/09\/What-Causes-Breast-Lumps--200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2022\/09\/What-Causes-Breast-Lumps--300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2022\/09\/What-Causes-Breast-Lumps--400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2022\/09\/What-Causes-Breast-Lumps--600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2022\/09\/What-Causes-Breast-Lumps--768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2022\/09\/What-Causes-Breast-Lumps--800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2022\/09\/What-Causes-Breast-Lumps-.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many possible causes of breast lumps, so today, we are bringing you an extensive list as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breast cysts (soft sacs filled with fluid)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cysts filled with milk (when breastfeeding)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breasts that are fibrocystic, i.e., the breast tissue is lumpy and sometimes painful<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hamartoma, i.e., growths that have a tumor-like feature<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fibroadenoma or noncancerous lumps that can move in the tissue\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intraductal papilloma or tiny noncancerous tumor located in the milk ducts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A slow-growing, fatty, noncancerous lump also known as a lipoma<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Different injuries to the tissue\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An infection of the breast called mastitis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breast cancer\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As mentioned previously, more and more experts and doctors advise refraining from self-checks when it comes to breast lumps because this can do more harm than good. Some lumps might be detected, and although benign, the worry about them can cause stress and unnecessary additional procedures. It is enough to know what your breasts typically look like and report any changes to your chosen medical practitioner.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, hamartoma and intraductal papilloma are two types of breast lumps with tumor-like features, but they are primarily noncancerous and should not cause worry and stress.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are some signs that you should be aware of and schedule a doctor\u2019s appointment immediately if they appear:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You find a new lump<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One part of your breast is different in comparison to the others<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The lump changes in size, i.e., grows<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are bruises on your breasts without any reason<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The lump does not disappear after your period<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your nipple is inverted<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your breast skin is red and starts peeling\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is blood coming out of your nipple\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All these are signs that something is not functioning properly in your body, so consulting your doctor is the first step towards recovery.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Should I Expect at a Breast Lump Evaluation Check-up?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As said, your chosen medical provider is the first step to take when the abovementioned signs appear. When you come to the scheduled consultation, the doctor will first ask about your medical history, your family medical anamnesis, and the symptoms you experienced.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Afterward, most doctors examine the breasts physically by using their hands so they can feel the potential lumps. If the doctor decides that the lump might be problematic, they will schedule additional testing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The tests which are usually performed to diagnose breast-related conditions are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An ultrasound is a noninvasive and painless procedure, with just some slight potential discomfort, used to create images of the breast tissue via sound waves.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A mammogram, i.e., an X-ray procedure that aids in identifying any abnormalities in the breasts. If the patient has had mammograms before, they are usually compared to see whether any changes have occurred in the tissue.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MRI or magnetic resonance imaging is a test that includes radio waves and a magnetic field to take more detailed images of the tissue\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FNA, or fine needle aspiration, is a procedure in which the fluid from the lump is removed with a needle. In this way, many noncancerous cysts disappear, and if the water taken out is blurry or bloody, this sample can be taken for analysis for potentially cancerous cells.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A breast biopsy is a test that uses a tissue sample from the lump to analyze it under a microscope. There are a few different kinds of breast biopsies, such as:<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FNA, which we mentioned previously\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vacuum-assisted biopsy where the tissue sample is removed by inserting a probe with a vacuum through a small incision\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Core needle biopsy, where the doctor uses a large needle to get a tissue sample and an ultrasound for guidance\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stereotactic biopsy which is actually a combination of a mammogram taking pictures from a variety of angles and a needle extraction of the tissue sample<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surgical biopsy which can be divided into excisional biopsy, where the entire lump is removed, and incisional biopsy, when only one part of the lump is removed<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>How to Treat Breast Lumps?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1511 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2022\/09\/How-to-Treat-Breast-Lumps-.jpg\" alt=\"Woman Hand Checking Lumps on Her Breast for Signs of Breast Cancer on Gray Background.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2022\/09\/How-to-Treat-Breast-Lumps--200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2022\/09\/How-to-Treat-Breast-Lumps--300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2022\/09\/How-to-Treat-Breast-Lumps--400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2022\/09\/How-to-Treat-Breast-Lumps--600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2022\/09\/How-to-Treat-Breast-Lumps--768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2022\/09\/How-to-Treat-Breast-Lumps--800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/139\/2022\/09\/How-to-Treat-Breast-Lumps-.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is important to emphasize once more that not all breast lumps need treatment. The person who determines this is your chosen medical professional, which is why a consultation with your doctor is the primary step. For example, fibroadenoma does not need any treatment or many other types of breast lumps.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This said, some conditions do need treatment, and below, you can find what they are and how to approach the treatment process:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have a breast infection, you will be prescribed some antibiotics<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have a cyst, one of the options is to drain the fluids, as well as wait for them to disappear on their own<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the lump you have is cancerous and it has to be treated, here are the options doctors usually recommend:\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Removing the lump or lumpectomy\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Removing your breast tissue or mastectomy\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/tests-procedures\/chemotherapy\/about\/pac-20385033\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chemotherapy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which includes drugs to destroy the cancerous cells<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Radiation which includes using radioactive rays against the cancer\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All the treatment options depend mainly on the size of the tumor, the type of cancer, its location, and the whether it is only located in the breast or has spread beyond it. Your doctor will monitor the progress of your condition and advise accordingly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Make an Appointment With Us!<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We want to offer you a stress-free environment when you come in for a consultation on a sensitive subject, such as the health of your breasts. Come and visit our expert team to find out how comfortable and supportive a doctor\u2019s appointment can be!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Although many experts from the medical field usually say that the majority of lumps found<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1509,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[74,70,71,72,73],"class_list":["post-1508","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-womens-health","tag-breast-biopsy","tag-breast-lump","tag-fibroadenoma","tag-hamartoma","tag-intraductal-papilloma"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1508","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1508"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1508\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1509"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1508"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1508"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/doral-beach-gynecology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1508"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}