Breast Lump Differential Diagnosis
To differentiate benign from malignant breast lumps, it's essential to consider various diagnoses. The following categories help organize the differential diagnosis:
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Fibroadenoma: A common benign breast tumor, especially in young women. It is usually a firm, mobile, and painless lump.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Cyst: A fluid-filled sac that can be simple or complex. Simple cysts are usually benign, while complex cysts may require further evaluation.
- Fibrocystic changes: A condition characterized by lumpy or rope-like breast tissue, often accompanied by breast tenderness.
- Lipoma: A benign tumor composed of fat tissue, which can occur in the breast.
- Intraductal papilloma: A small, benign growth in the milk ducts, often causing nipple discharge.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Breast cancer: Although less likely, breast cancer is a critical diagnosis that must not be missed. It can present as a lump, and early detection is crucial for treatment and prognosis.
- Phyllodes tumor: A rare tumor that can be benign, borderline, or malignant. It often presents as a rapidly growing lump.
- Inflammatory breast cancer: A rare and aggressive form of breast cancer that can cause skin changes, such as redness and swelling.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Hamartoma: A rare, benign tumor composed of a mixture of breast tissue, fat, and connective tissue.
- Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH): A rare, benign condition characterized by an overgrowth of breast tissue.
- Metastasis to the breast: A rare occurrence where cancer from another part of the body spreads to the breast.
Each diagnosis has distinct characteristics, and a thorough evaluation, including clinical examination, imaging, and biopsy, is necessary to determine the nature of the breast lump.