Differential Diagnosis for Breast Lump when Breastfeeding
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Mastitis: This is the most common cause of a breast lump in a breastfeeding woman. Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast tissue, often caused by a bacterial infection. It is characterized by pain, swelling, and redness of the breast, and can be accompanied by fever and chills.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Breast engorgement: This is a common condition in breastfeeding women, where the breast becomes overfull with milk, leading to swelling and lumpiness.
- Plugged duct: A plugged duct is a blockage of one of the milk ducts in the breast, which can cause a lump and pain in the affected area.
- Galactocele: A galactocele is a milk-filled cyst that can form in the breast, often as a result of a blocked duct.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Breast cancer: Although breast cancer is rare in young women, it is essential to consider it as a possible cause of a breast lump, especially if the lump is painless, hard, and fixed in place.
- Abscess: A breast abscess is a collection of pus in the breast tissue, which can be life-threatening if left untreated. It is often accompanied by severe pain, swelling, and redness of the breast.
- Rare diagnoses
- Fat necrosis: Fat necrosis is a rare condition where the fatty tissue in the breast becomes damaged, leading to the formation of a lump.
- Lipoma: A lipoma is a rare, benign tumor made up of fat tissue, which can occur in the breast.
- Hamartoma: A hamartoma is a rare, benign tumor-like growth that can occur in the breast, often composed of a mixture of glandular, fibrous, and fatty tissue.