Benign Breast Conditions

Benign phyllodes tumour

Phyllodes tumours are usually smooth, firm lumps in the breast. They often grow quite quickly and can be quite large. Sometimes the skin over the lump can be red.

Breast calcifications

Breast calcifications are small calcium salts that can occur anywhere in the breast.

Breast cysts

Breast cysts are a very common benign (not cancer) breast condition. They are one of the most common causes of a lump in the breast.

Breast pain

Breast pain is very common in women of all ages and can also affect men. It can have lots of different causes but, on its own, breast pain is rarely a sign of breast cancer.

Duct ectasia

Duct ectasia, also known as mammary duct ectasia, is a benign (not cancer) breast condition, caused by normal breast changes that happen with age.

Fat necrosis

Fat necrosis is a benign (not cancer) breast condition. It usually feels like a firm, round lump in the breast.

Fibroadenoma

A fibroadenoma is a very common benign (not cancer) breast condition that usually feels like a smooth lump in the breast. Fibroadenomas can occur at any age but are more common in younger women.

Gynaecomastia

Gynaecomastia is a common, benign condition where male breast tissue is enlarged or swollen. It mainly affects teenage boys and older men, but it can affect men at any age.

Hyperplasia & atypical hyperplasia

Hyperplasia is a benign (not cancer) breast condition and it does not usually cause any symptoms in the breast. Hyperplasia happens when there’s an increase in the number of cells lining the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) or lobules (milk-producing glands) of the breast.

Intraductal papilloma

Intraductal papilloma is a benign (not cancer) breast condition where a wart-like lump develops in 1 or more of the milk ducts in the breast. It’s usually close to the nipple, but it can be found anywhere in the breast. You may have a single intraductal papilloma. Or you may have multiple intraductal papillomas, also called papillomatosis. It’s most common in women over 40 and usually develops naturally as the breast ages and changes.

Lobular neoplasia

Breasts are made up of lobules (milk-producing glands) and ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple). These are surrounded by tissue that gives breasts their size and shape. When hyperplasia occurs in the ducts it’s called ductal hyperplasia. Ductal hyperplasia can be either “usual” or “atypical”.

Periductal mastitis

Periductal mastitis is a benign (not cancer) breast condition that can affect anyone but is most common in younger women and people who smoke. It can make your breast feel painful or swollen and can usually be treated with antibiotics but sometimes goes away on its own.

Sclerosis of the breast

Sclerosing lesions of the breast are benign areas of hard tissue that are most common in women in their 30s and 40s.