Breast Disease

Fibrocystic breast changes - lumpiness, thickening, and swelling, often just before a woman's period. Cysts - fluid-filled lumps. Fibroadenomas - solid, round, rubbery lumps that move easily when pushed, occurring most in younger women. Intraductal papillomas - growths similar to warts near the nipple.

Breast cancer occurs when some breast cells begin to grow abnormally. These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells and continue to gather, forming a lump or mass. The cells may spread (metastasize) to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Breast cancer mostly begins with cells in the milk-producing ducts or in the glandular tissue called lobules (invasive lobular carcinoma) or in other cells or tissue within the breast.