Breast pain is a rare symptom of breast cancer. However, the individual applying for breast pain should first be questioned whether he/she has any other accompanying complaints. In particular, a breast examination should be performed and it should be determined whether a mass is accompanied by pain. For this, additional examination may be requested depending on the individual's age and family history.
Breast pain may occur for many reasons such as weight changes, hormonal changes, inappropriate bra size, smoking, and thyroid diseases. Periodic pains related to menstrual regularity pose a problem for many women. The important thing is to determine which pain should be investigated.
Cancer develops as a result of abnormal changes or mutations in the genes that control normal cell growth and division. Normally, the cells in our body are renewed in a certain cycle. Healthy cells replace new ones. When this control mechanism is disrupted, continuous cell proliferation and resulting tumor formation occur. This tumor formation can be benign or malignant.
Breast cancer can start in the cells present in the milk-producing lobules or milk ducts. Over time, tumor cells grow by engulfing neighboring healthy tissue. If it is not diagnosed early, it continues to progress by involving the blood and lymph vessels. It may first spread to the armpit lymph nodes and then to distant organs.
85-90% of breast cancers occur spontaneously. These cancers occur due to changes that occur with age and the effects of personal risk factors. Personal risk factors may include alcohol, smoking, excess weight, and a diet high in sugar. Apart from these cancers, 5-10% may develop breast cancer through genetic inheritance from mother or father.
Chronic abscesses have no relation with breastfeeding. An abscess occurs as a result of intermittent blockage of the milk ducts. As a result of this repetition, it becomes chronic. Sinus formation, openings around the nipple, discharge, and color change may be observed. Smoking is held responsible for the chronicity of these abscesses.
Simple drainage methods are used in their treatment. However, it is a temporary solution. Surgical removal of retained milk ducts is a more permanent solution.
CHRONIC MASTITIS OF UNKNOWN CAUSE (Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis)
A disease of unknown cause. It is a chronic inflammatory breast disease that mimics an actuarial abscess or cancer. It progresses with redness on the breast skin, sensitivity, increased temperature, and sometimes open wounds.
First of all, the abscess should be soothed with antibiotics and the extent of the disease should be revealed with imaging studies. It usually involves more than one quadrant of the breast. Once the infection subsides, tissue diagnosis should be made by needle biopsy. With tissue diagnosis, the diagnosis of cancer is excluded and the cause of chronic infection can be revealed.
Tuberculosis or sarcoidosis should also be excluded as causative agents in idiopathic granulomatous mastitis. The treatment plan will change in cases with these diagnoses.
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