Medicine
Fact-checked

At TheHealthBoard, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What Is the Treatment for Breast Nodules?

A. Pasbjerg
A. Pasbjerg

Breast nodules, or lumps within the breasts, may occur for a number of reasons, and treatment will depend on the underlying cause. Fluid-filled cysts are a common cause, and they may require treatment ranging from hormone therapy to surgery to no treatment at all. Infection in the milk ducts, known as mastitis, is another possible cause of lumps, and is sometimes complicated by development of an abscess; depending on the severity of the issue, these may require home care, antibiotics, or draining. If cancer is the cause of a breast nodule, patients should discuss treatment options with their doctors, as the best approach may include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, or a combination of treatments.

Some of the common types of breast nodules are cysts. These fluid-filled sacs form lumps that can be soft or firm, be painful or not, and can vary in size. In many cases, no treatment is needed if they do not cause a woman any issues, and they may clear on their own. If they are problematic or recur often, taking hormones such as those in birth control pills may alleviate them. In rare, severe cases, such as when a cyst is large and painful, recurs often, or produces bloody fluid, surgical removal may be necessary.

An infection in the breast ducts, common in breastfeeding mothers, may cause breast nodules.
An infection in the breast ducts, common in breastfeeding mothers, may cause breast nodules.

Another of the causes of breast nodules is infection. Mastitis, an infection in the breast ducts, is particularly common in breastfeeding women. The infection will typically require treatment with antibiotics, and can also be helped using home remedies like warm compresses, pain medication, and feeding one's baby frequently to prevent further blockages in the ducts. If an abscess forms, it may be necessary to drain it, either with a needle, small incision, or surgery if it is very deep in the breast.

Surgery may be required to treat breast nodules.
Surgery may be required to treat breast nodules.

Sometimes breast nodules are the result of cancer in the breast, and treatment can vary depending on the tumor size, location, and whether or not it has spread beyond the breast. Surgery may be necessary, and can range from a lumpectomy to remove only the tumor to a mastectomy where the entire breast is removed; in cases where the cancer has spread, one or many lymph nodes may also need to be taken out. Radiation therapy, which uses targeted energy beams, and chemotherapy, which uses specific drugs, are also often used to kill the cancer cells. For specific types of tumors, hormone therapy or targeted drugs may also be part of treatment.

Discussion Comments

julies

When I had my annual female exam, my doctor found a breast nodule in my breast. The first thing I had done was a mammogram. It had been almost a year since my last mammogram, and that one had been completely normal.

After this I was schedule for a biopsy. At this point I needed to decide if I was just going to have a biopsy done or have a lumpectomy as well.

They did not think it was cancer, so I decided to just have the biopsy done and go from there. They did put a small marker in my breast where the biopsy was done so this would easily show up on future mammograms.

Thankfully the results were benign and they said this type of lump would never turn in to cancer.

If you ever find something like this, don't put off going to the doctor to have it checked out. I was fortunate that it was nothing serious, but you never know until you are thoroughly checked out.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • An infection in the breast ducts, common in breastfeeding mothers, may cause breast nodules.
      By: MNStudio
      An infection in the breast ducts, common in breastfeeding mothers, may cause breast nodules.
    • Surgery may be required to treat breast nodules.
      By: imagesflyphoto
      Surgery may be required to treat breast nodules.
    • Cancerous breast nodules may be treated with chemotherapy.
      By: tawesit
      Cancerous breast nodules may be treated with chemotherapy.
    • Some of the most common types of breast nodules are cysts.
      By: Arto
      Some of the most common types of breast nodules are cysts.
    • Treatment for breast nodules depends on the underlying cause.
      By: Arto
      Treatment for breast nodules depends on the underlying cause.
    • Breast cancer occurs more often than usual in some families due to their genetic make-up.
      By: bst2012
      Breast cancer occurs more often than usual in some families due to their genetic make-up.
    • Many types of breast nodules can be painful.
      By: Iaroslava Zubenko
      Many types of breast nodules can be painful.