The difference between breast cancer and lobular hyperplasia

Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
Updated on September 25, 2024
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The difference between breast cancer and lobular hyperplasia is as follows: Lobular hyperplasia primarily manifests as nodular lumps that can be felt within one or both breasts. These lumps vary in size, are tough but not hard, and sometimes tender to touch. The boundaries of the lumps with the surrounding breast tissue are not clear, but they are not adherent to the skin or chest muscles, sometimes presenting as areas of thickening with unclear boundaries. Breast cancer, on the other hand, appears as a solitary, painless lump that is hard as stone and can be round, oval-shaped, or irregular. It can grow large, has poor mobility, and can easily adhere to the skin and surrounding tissues. The growth of the cancerous lump is not related to the menstrual cycle or emotional changes, and it can grow rapidly in a short time. On a mammogram, breast cancer lumps may show tiny calcifications, abnormal vascular shadows, and spicules.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Is it normal to have ovulatory pain due to lobular hyperplasia?

Lobular hyperplasia causing pain during ovulation is normal. The main symptoms of breast hyperplasia are cyclical swelling and pain of the breasts, often appearing or worsening before menstruation and lessening or disappearing after menstruation. Generally, mild cases do not receive much attention from patients, but severe cases can affect daily life and work. Some patients do not show obvious cyclical changes, and symptoms can include unilateral or bilateral breast pain or cyclical changes, sharp pain, which can extend to the shoulder, upper limbs, or thoracic back area. A minority of patients may experience nipple discharge, which can be yellow-green, brown, or serous in color. The condition can persist for a long time, but symptoms usually disappear or decrease after menopause.

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Written by Fan Hong Qiao
Breast Health Department
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What medicine should be taken for mammary gland hyperplasia?

Simple lobular hyperplasia of the breast does not require medication or other treatments, just pay attention to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and regularly check the lobular hyperplasia in both breasts at the hospital to monitor any changes in the condition. After menopause, as the body's estrogen levels decrease, the lobular hyperplasia will gradually improve. Just pay attention to a regular lifestyle, and there is no special dietary requirements compared to others. If the pain is unbearable and severely affects daily life, under the guidance of a doctor, you can take some traditional Chinese medicines that soothe the liver and regulate qi, invigorate blood and resolve stasis, or use estrogen receptor antagonists, which prevent the estrogen receptors from exerting their physiological effects, thereby relieving symptoms.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Can ultrasonography detect lobular hyperplasia?

Lobular hyperplasia can be detected by ultrasound, appearing as heterogeneous hypoechoic areas on the ultrasound, and if cysts form, they appear as anechoic areas. The exact cause of lobular hyperplasia in the mammary glands is not very clear. It is currently believed to be related to elevated levels of estrogen caused by endocrine disorders, external environmental factors, work and living conditions, interpersonal relationships, and various other stressors that affect the psychological aspects, all of which can change the body’s internal environment. This in turn affects the function of the endocrine system, causing abnormal secretion of one or several hormones, ultimately disrupting the balance of hormone levels in the body, leading to increased estrogen, and causing mammary tissue hyperplasia.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Does lobular hyperplasia usually cause pain?

The primary manifestation of mammary gland hyperplasia is cyclical swelling and pain in the breast, often occurring or worsening before menstruation and alleviating or disappearing after menstruation. Mild cases are noteworthy for the patient, while severe cases can affect daily life and work. However, some patients do not exhibit obvious cyclical changes; others may experience unilateral or bilateral breast swelling and pain or needle-like pain. The pain may extend to the shoulder, upper limbs, or shoulder-back area. A few patients may have nipple discharge. During physical examinations, nodular lumps of varying sizes, which are tough but not hard, can be felt in one or both breasts. Sometimes, these lumps are tender to touch, and their boundaries with surrounding tissues are unclear, but they do not adhere to the skin or chest muscles.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Symptoms of lobular hyperplasia cancerization

The symptoms of lobular hyperplasia transforming into cancer primarily include feeling a painless, solitary small lump in the breast. The lump is hard, with a rough surface, and its boundary with surrounding tissue is not clearly defined. It is not easily movable within the breast. As the lump progresses, it can invade the Cooper's ligaments, causing them to contract, and thus the skin over the lump often appears dimpled, known as the dimpling sign, which is an early sign of breast cancer. As breast cancer continues to develop, it can cause the breast to shrink, become harder, elevate the nipple, and may lead to the ducts being pulled, flattened, retracted, or even invaginated. The affected breast may also significantly enlarge over several months, causing an increase in volume and prominence.