What does breast hyperplasia feel like to the touch?

Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
Updated on October 18, 2024
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Breast hyperplasia, found during physical examinations, can present as nodular lumps in one or both breasts. These lumps vary in size, are firm but not hard, and may sometimes be tender to touch. The boundaries between the lumps and surrounding breast tissue are unclear, yet there is no adhesion to the skin or chest muscles. Occasionally, the condition presents as an area of indistinct thickening, with lesions typically located in the upper outer quadrant of the breast, but it can affect the entire breast. The size of the lumps often changes with the menstrual cycle, enlarging during menstruation or shrinking afterward. Sometimes, there might be nipple discharge, which can be yellow-brown, serous, or bloody. The course of the disease can be prolonged, but symptoms usually disappear or lessen after menopause.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Symptoms of breast hyperplasia

Breast hyperplasia mainly manifests as cyclical breast pain and tenderness, which often appears or worsens before menstruation and lessens or disappears after menstruation. Mild cases may not catch the patient's attention, while severe cases can affect daily life and work. However, some patients do not show obvious cyclical changes. Symptoms can include unilateral or bilateral breast fullness and pain or needle-like pain, which may extend to the shoulders, upper limbs, or chest/back area. A few patients may experience nipple discharge that can be yellow-green, brown, serous, or bloody. The condition can persist for a long time, but symptoms may disappear or lessen after menopause.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Are breast hyperplasia and breast lumps the same thing?

Breast hyperplasia and breast lumps are different. Breast hyperplasia can be found in one or both breasts, where nodular lumps of varying sizes can be felt. These lumps are tough but not hard, sometimes causing a stabbing pain. The borders of the lumps are not distinctly separate from the surrounding breast tissue, but they are not adhered to the skin or the chest muscles. Sometimes, they manifest as areas of thickening with unclear boundaries. On the other hand, breast lumps generally occur as a single lump in one breast, are round or oval in shape, have clear boundaries, are movable, and the texture is generally firm. They might be multiple, but usually, there's no breast pain or only mild discomfort during menstruation. The size and nature of the breast lumps do not change with the menstrual cycle.

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Written by Fan Hong Qiao
Breast Health Department
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What should I do about hyperplastic nodules in the breast?

Breast nodules are a symptom commonly associated with breast hyperplasia and neoplastic breast diseases. In treatment, it is crucial to first make an accurate diagnosis through breast ultrasound and mammography. If some nodules are highly likely to be benign, regular follow-up observation may be considered. If a biopsy is needed for some breast nodules to determine their pathological nature, the treatment plan can be decided based on the pathology results. If diagnosed as malignant tumors, a personalized comprehensive treatment plan should be developed in collaboration with multiple disciplines based on the patient's condition, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endocrine therapy, and molecular targeted therapy, among others.

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Written by Wang Zhi Chao
Breast Surgery
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Can breast hyperplasia turn into cancer?

Traditional breast hyperplasia, specifically lobular hyperplasia, does not become cancerous. However, if the hyperplasia has progressed to atypical hyperplasia, there is a small chance that it could turn into cancer. Normal lobular hyperplasia, in itself, does not become cancerous. Self-examinations and annual hospital check-ups are very important. Therefore, when you cannot distinguish whether the hyperplasia is lobular or atypical, you should go to a formal hospital for an examination.

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Written by Fan Hong Qiao
Breast Health Department
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What should I do with bilateral breast hyperplasia?

Bilateral breast hyperplasia, although common, is indeed a burden on women's health. So, what should one do if diagnosed with bilateral breast hyperplasia? Firstly, it's important to understand that there are different types of breast hyperplasia. One type is physiological, which generally does not require treatment as the symptoms will disappear on their own. Another type of breast hyperplasia is caused by personal health factors, such as depression, or long-term irregular living habits, which often lead to hormonal imbalances and subsequently bilateral breast hyperplasia. For this type, it is necessary to eliminate the root cause by adjusting one's mood, correcting unhealthy living habits, avoiding smoking and drinking, and maintaining emotional stability and a healthy diet for effective control. Of course, it is best to combine these efforts with treatment advised by a doctor. There is also a pathological type of bilateral breast hyperplasia that requires special attention because of the potential risk of cancer. Therefore, it is imperative to seek timely medical examination and treatment.