What Are Breast Lumps?

Breast lumps are areas of tissue that feel different from the surrounding breast tissue. Most breast lumps are benign, including:

  • Fibroadenoma (common in young women)
  • Cyst (fluid-filled)
  • Fibrocystic changes
  • Fat necrosis
  • Intraductal papilloma

However, breast lumps can also indicate breast cancer, which is why evaluation is important.

Symptoms

  • Palpable lump in the breast
  • Change in breast size or shape
  • Nipple discharge (especially bloody)
  • Skin changes (dimpling, redness)
  • Nipple inversion or scaling
  • Lump in the armpit

When to See a Specialist

Any of the above findings warrant evaluation. Do not delay, and do not self-diagnose based on internet information.

Diagnosis

  • Careful clinical breast examination
  • Ultrasound (preferred for younger women)
  • Mammography (usually for women over 40 or as indicated)
  • Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) or core biopsy
  • Additional investigations as needed

Treatment

Benign Lumps

  • Small, clearly benign lumps: monitoring with periodic examination
  • Large, symptomatic, or growing lumps: excision biopsy

Suspicious or Malignant Lumps

Coordination with oncology and breast surgery specialists for definitive treatment.

Excision Biopsy

Removal of the lump for both treatment and definitive diagnosis.

  • Anaesthesia: local, regional, or short general
  • Duration: 30 to 60 minutes
  • Same-day discharge in most cases
  • Recovery: 1 to 2 weeks

Recovery

  • Wound care with dressings
  • Sutures removed at 7 to 10 days
  • Return to office work: 1 week
  • Follow-up including histology review

Our Approach

Female specialist available. Dr. Swati provides consultation, examination, and procedural care for patients who prefer a female surgeon. This preference is common and understandable, and easily accommodated at our hospital.

Sensitive examination. Breast examination is conducted with dignity and privacy. Companions welcome.

Honest counselling. We explain findings clearly and discuss the reasoning for recommendations.

Coordinated care. Cases requiring oncological input are referred to appropriate specialists with warm handoff, not left to the patient to navigate alone.