Other causes of breast lumps include:
- Milk cysts (sacs filled with milk) and infections (
mastitis ), which may turn into an abscess. These typically occur if you are breastfeeding or have recently given birth. -
Breast cancer , detectable by mammogram or ultrasound, then a biopsy. Men can get breast cancer. - Injury -- sometimes if your breast is badly bruised, there will be a collection of blood that feels like a lump. These tend to resolve on their own in a matter of days or weeks. If not, the blood may have to be drained by your doctor.
- Lipoma -- a collection of fatty tissue.
-
Intraductal papilloma -- a small growth inside a milk duct of the breast. Often occurs near the areola, the colored part of the breast surrounding the nipple, in women between the ages of 35 and 55. It is harmless and frequently cannot be felt. In some cases the only symptom is a watery, pink discharge from the nipple. Since a watery or bloody discharge can also be a sign of breast cancer, this must be evaluated by your doctor.
