The female breast is a complex gland that is made up of several different types of tissue. Each breast contains milk glands and milk ducts (pipelines) for transporting milk. These structures can increase or decrease in both size and number, as and when they are needed.
The breast is also made up of fibrous connective tissue, fatty tissue, nerves, blood vessels and lymph nodes. Each type of tissue and structure within the breast reacts differently to changes in a woman's body chemistry, and this can affect both sensitivity and texture.
Breast lumps
Developing a lump on your breast is quite common. The majority of breast lumps, approximately 85%, are benign (non-cancerous). There are several types of benign breast lump, and they develop for a variety of reasons. The main types of breast lump are outlined below.
Fibrocystic breast disease
Fibrocystic breast disease (fibroadenosis) is a benign growth abnormality of the breast, causing lumpiness and tenderness. It is very common in pre-menopausal women.
Fibroadenoma
A fibroadenoma is a small tumour (growth) in the breast. They often develop in adolescent women and those in their early twenties, but can occur at any age. These lumps are benign and are not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
Cysts
A cyst is a fluid filled lump. Breast cysts are most common in pre-menopausal women, who are between 40-55 years of age, and those who take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) at any age.
Breast cysts can also occasionally occur in men, but they are often benign and can usually be drained with a needle.
Fat necrosis
Fat necrosis is a hard irregular lump, which is often caused by trauma. They usually disappear spontaneously.
Lipoma
A lipoma is a fatty growth which causes a lump that changes the shape of the breast. It requires no treatment.
Tissue
Body tissue is made up of groups of cells that perform a specific job, such as protecting the body against infection, producing movement or storing fat.
Blood vessels
Blood vessels are the tubes in which blood travels to and from parts of the body. The three main types of blood vessels are veins, arteries and capillaries.
Lymph nodes
Lymph nodes are small oval tissues that remove unwanted bacteria and particles from the body. Part of the immune system.
Benign
Benign refers to a condition that should not become life-threatening. In relation to tumours, benign means not cancerous.
Cysts
A cyst is a fluid-filled sac or cavity in the body.
Hormone replacement therapy
Hormone replacement therapy or HRT involves giving hormones to women when the menopause starts, to replace those that the body no longer produces.
