It's normal to feel a lot of fear when you feel a small lump in your breast. Many people's first thought is, "Is this cancer?" But did you know that not all lumps in the breast are cancer? Today we're talking about a condition that you shouldn't be afraid of, but you should be aware of. That's Breast Fat Necrosis. This is not actually cancer, but it's very important to be aware of it and see a doctor if necessary.
Simply put, what is Breast Fat Necrosis?
While the name may sound complicated, it's actually quite simple. Breast Fat Necrosis is when the fatty tissue in your breast is damaged, causing the fat cells to die and form a lump. This is not a cancerous condition .
Think of it like turning blue when you hit your hand. The same thing happens when the fatty tissue in your breast is damaged. Our breasts are made up of milk-producing glands, milk ducts, and the fatty tissue around them. When this fatty tissue is damaged, some of the fat cells die. Then, an oil-like substance is released from those cells and accumulates, forming a small oil cyst . That lump is what you can feel in your hand.
The important thing is that if you are diagnosed with Breast Fat Necrosis, it does not increase your risk of developing breast cancer in the future. There is no connection between the two.
Why is this happening? What are the reasons?
There are several ways that fatty tissue in the breast can be damaged. What's surprising is that these lumps can appear months, and sometimes years, after this damage has occurred.
The main reasons are these:
- Breast surgery: Any surgery done to the breasts can cause this. For example:
- Breast reconstruction surgery
- Breast reduction surgery
- Removal of the breast due to cancer (`Mastectomy`)
- Removing a piece of a lump to examine (`Breast biopsy`)
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy for conditions like cancer can also damage fatty tissue.
- Lipomodelling: This condition can also occur during surgeries where fat is taken from another part of the body and injected into the breast.
- Blunt force injury: A sharp blow to the breast, such as a car accident or fall, can damage the fatty tissue.
What are the symptoms of Breast Fat Necrosis?
The symptoms of this condition can sometimes be very similar to those of breast cancer, which is why it's important to see a doctor as soon as you feel a lump.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Feeling a lump | A lump that is usually round and slightly firm, and can be felt in the hand. This is the main characteristic. |
| Skin changes | The skin over the bump may appear dimpled, red, bruised, or thickened. |
| Pain or sensitivity | Most of the time, there is no pain. However, some people may feel a slight pain or tenderness at the site of the lump. |
| Nipple change | Very rarely, the nipple may appear to be inverted. |
How do you know for sure that this is not cancer?
This is the most important question. If you find a lump during a self-breast exam at home, never ignore it . The best thing to do is see your doctor right away.
1. Medical examination: The doctor will examine your breasts. However, it is difficult to tell for sure whether this is Fat Necrosis or cancer just by examining it manually.
2. Investigations: Therefore, the doctor will refer you for further tests.
- Mammogram or MRI: These diagnostic imaging tests can clearly see the shape, nature, and contents of the lump.
- Biopsy: This is the test that is done to be 100% sure whether it is cancer or not. Here, a small piece of tissue is taken from the lump and examined under a microscope.
There are several types of biopsies:
- Fine Needle Aspiration: A fine needle is used to remove a small amount of cells or fluid from the lump and examine it. This is the simplest method.
- Core Needle Biopsy: A small piece of tissue is taken from the lump using a slightly larger needle.
- Excisional Biopsy: Sometimes a small operation is performed to remove part or all of the lump for examination.
Does this require treatment?
Once the biopsy confirms that this is Breast Fat Necrosis, most of the time you will not need any special treatment.
Most of the time, if the lump is small and you're not having any discomfort, your doctor will tell you to wait a while. These may dissolve and disappear on their own after a few months.
However, in some cases, this lump has to be removed.
- If you can't come to a clear conclusion about what this is even after the biopsy.
- If you are experiencing pain or discomfort due to the lump.
- If the lump does not go away on its own and stays the same size or gets bigger .
In such cases, surgery is performed to remove the damaged tissue. Liposuction or fine needle aspiration can also be used to remove the fluid from an oil cyst. These are usually painless and not very complicated treatments.
Take-Home Message
- Not every lump you feel in the breast is cancer. Breast Fat Necrosis is one such non-cancerous, common condition.
- This occurs when there is damage to the fatty tissue of the breast (such as an injury or surgery).
- Because the symptoms can be similar to those of cancer, it's important to see a doctor if you feel a lump. Don't ignore it.
- These often heal on their own, but can be removed with simple treatments if necessary.
- Having Breast Fat Necrosis does not increase your risk of developing breast cancer in the future. Don't be alarmed by it.
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