Lumps and cancer
Lumps are abnormal masses or swellings that can occur on the skin or within the body, and they can have various causes, including benign conditions like cysts and fibromas, as well as more serious issues such as cancer. Common risk factors for developing lumps include hormonal changes, injuries, and infections, which can lead to swollen lymph nodes—a common response to illness. While many lumps are benign and can resolve on their own, some may be related to serious conditions, especially when they occur in the breast. For instance, breast lumps may indicate benign breast diseases or potentially breast cancer, making it crucial to have any new or unusual lumps evaluated by a healthcare professional. Symptoms often include swelling or pain in areas such as the breast, groin, or under the skin. Diagnosis involves physical examination and, in some cases, medical imaging to determine the lump's nature. Treatment varies depending on the underlying cause but may involve drainage or surgery if necessary. Early diagnosis of malignancies significantly improves survival outcomes, highlighting the importance of prompt medical attention for any concerning lumps.
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Subject Terms
Lumps and cancer
ALSO KNOWN AS: Masses
RELATED CONDITIONS: Cysts, fibromas
DEFINITION: Lumps are abnormal masses or swellings on the skin or in the body.
Risk factors: Many conditions, such as cysts, fibromas, injuries, or cancer, may cause lumps.
Etiology and the disease process: The likely causes of lumps include benign breast diseases, a lipoma (collection of fatty tissue), exostoses (new bone formation), cancer, an injury, an enlarged organ, or a swollen lymph node. Lymph nodes often swell in response to various infections or diseases, including the common cold, infections, viruses, mononucleosis, tonsillitis, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and leukemia. Various tissues in the body respond to hormonal changes, and as a result, certain lumps are transient. As an example, breast lumps may appear at all ages. Male or female infants may develop breast lumps temporarily in response to receiving estrogen from the mother’s milk. Breastfeeding women are prone to benign breast lumps from mastitis (inflammation of the mammary gland). Other underlying conditions for breast lumps include fibrocystic breasts, fibroadenoma, cyst, abscess, fat necrosis, gynecomastia (male breasts), duct papilloma (epithelial tumor growth), sclerosing adenosis (excess growth of breast tissues), and ductal ectasia (dilatation of the subareolar ducts). Fibrocystic breasts and fibroadenomas often occur in women during the reproductive years and are considered a normal variation of breast tissue. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can become tender.
Incidence: Lumps commonly occur and often spontaneously resolve.
Symptoms: The signs and symptoms of lumps are swelling or pain, often in the breast, under the skin, and in the groin.
Screening and diagnosis: Lumps are detected by touch, visually, or the perception of pain. Most benign cysts are soft, but medical examination can reveal their cause and whether they are benign or malignant. Most common potentially cancer-related lumps develop in the breasts. Although typically lumps in the breast are benign breast cysts, they may be indicators of breast cancer. As a result, lumps found in the breast should be immediately examined to detect potential cases of breast cancer.
Treatment and therapy: The nature and causes of lumps determine how they are treated. Physicians can easily drain cysts, but if they do not disappear, surgery may be needed. Generally, no further treatment is necessary if the fluid removed from the cyst is relatively clear and the lump disappears. However, if the fluid is bloody, the cyst must be inspected for the possible presence of cancer cells.
Prognosis, prevention, and outcomes: Lumps tend to be benign. However, if a malignancy is detected, the survival rate with early diagnosis tends to be higher than after delayed detection.
Bibliography
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