Breast Lumps

April 10, 2025

This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Susan Yost, Ph.D., staff scientist, Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope^® Cancer Center Duarte

Finding a breast lump may be stressful, but most lumps found in the breast are not cancer. Breast lumps are quite common, especially in women of childbearing age. Many lumps turn out to be benign (noncancerous), but for some benign lumps, treatment and follow-up are recommended.

Understanding what breast lumps are and when to be concerned may help ease anxiety and help patients take the appropriate steps for their health and peace of mind.

What Are Breast Lumps?

A breast lump is an area of swelling, a bump or a mass in the breast that feels different from the surrounding tissue. These lumps may vary in size, shape and texture. They may be tender or painless. The breast is made up of fibrous, glandular and fatty tissue, and changes in these tissues may lead to lump formation.

While some lumps might be due to benign conditions like cysts or fibroadenomas, others may signal infections like abscesses or mastitis, or, less commonly, cancer.

Even though most breast lumps are not cancerous, any new lump should be evaluated by a health care provider to determine the cause and appropriate next steps. Changes in the nipple, such as discharge, or skin changes, like dimpling or redness, also need medical attention.

What Does a Breast Lump Feel Like?

Breast lumps may feel different, depending on their cause. They might be soft, firm or rubbery, and they may vary in shape and size. Some lumps are smooth and easy to move around, while others might feel more solid and fixed in place. These lumps might appear not only in the breast, but also in the armpit (axilla) or around the nipple area.

In addition to feeling a lump, other signs might be noticed, such as changes in the skin (like dimpling or redness), nipple discharge or variations in breast size and shape. Tenderness in the lump or surrounding area may also occur.

It is important to note the location of any lump, typically described in terms of the breast quadrants or like the face of a clock, to help health care providers assess the situation. Always report any new or unusual changes for further evaluation.

Do Breast Cancer Lumps Hurt?

Breast lumps may be painful, but pain alone does not indicate whether a lump is cancerous. Painful lumps are often due to benign conditions like an abscess (a pocket of infection), hematomas (a collection of blood) or fibrocystic changes, which are common and linked to menstrual cycle fluctuations.

Cancerous lumps rarely cause pain, but the absence of pain does not mean a lump is not serious. Regardless of whether a lump hurts, it is important to have any new or unusual breast lump evaluated by a doctor.

A health care professional is able to determine the cause of the lump and recommend the appropriate steps for further diagnosis and treatment. Remember, only a thorough medical examination will accurately diagnose the nature of a breast lump.

Types of Breast Lumps

Breast lumps vary widely in their causes and characteristics. Understanding the different types may help ease anxiety and help patients know what to expect.

Breast Abscess

A breast abscess is a painful, swollen lump filled with pus, often due to an infection like mastitis, which is common in breastfeeding mothers. The infection is usually caused by bacteria, such as staphylococcus or streptococcus.

Symptoms may include redness, warmth and skin tenderness over the lump. While smaller abscesses might be treated with antibiotics and needle drainage, larger ones sometimes need a minor surgical procedure to drain the pus.

Breast Calcifications

Breast calcifications are tiny calcium deposits that form in the breast tissue. They can’t be felt, but are visible on a mammogram.

There are two types: macrocalcifications and microcalcifications.

Macrocalcifications appear on a mammogram as small white dots and are usually benign, often resulting from aging, past injuries or inflammation.

Microcalcifications look like tiny white specks. When found in clusters or in areas with rapidly dividing cells, they might indicate ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or breast cancer.

It is important to note that dietary calcium does not cause these calcifications. A doctor will evaluate their pattern on a mammogram to determine if further testing is needed.

Breast Cysts

A breast cyst is a closed, sac-like pocket of tissue filled with fluid. These cysts may vary in size. While some are too small to be felt, others might be noticeable lumps. They might become painful just before a menstrual period.

Breast cysts are most common in premenopausal women and those undergoing menopausal hormone therapy. Although cysts may be uncomfortable, they are usually benign (not cancerous).

Breast Lipoma

A breast lipoma is a benign (noncancerous) mass made of fat cells. It typically appears as a soft, painless lump in the breast. A lipoma is usually a single lump and does not increase the risk of breast cancer.

These tumors are generally harmless and often do not require treatment unless they cause discomfort or grow in size.

Fibroadenomas

A fibroadenoma is a type of noncancerous breast tumor that often feels like a hard, round lump that moves easily under the skin. These lumps usually do not hurt and may sometimes be too small to be felt.

Fibroadenomas are most common in women under 30, but may occur at any age. They may grow larger with increased estrogen levels, such as during pregnancy or hormone replacement therapy, and often shrink during menopause.

While generally harmless, large or painful fibroadenomas, or those causing distress, might require surgical removal.

Fibrocystic Breast Changes

Fibrocystic breast changes are benign changes in the breast tissue, involving fibrosis (thickened tissue) and cysts (fluid-filled sacs). These changes are common and normal, especially in women of childbearing age, but they may occur at any age.

Symptoms include breast lumps, swelling, tenderness and pain, often worsening just before the menstrual period. Lumps may grow or shrink during different menstrual cycle stages. Some women might notice nipple discharge.

While fibrocystic changes do not increase the risk of breast cancer, any new or unusual lumps should be evaluated by a doctor. Usually, no treatment is needed unless the changes cause discomfort.

Phyllodes Tumor

A phyllodes tumor is a rare breast lump that starts in the connective tissue (stroma) of the breast, not in the ducts or glands like most breast cancers. Most phyllodes tumors are benign, but a small number may be malignant (cancerous). These tumors are most common in women in their 40s, but may occur at any age.

Phyllodes tumors usually feel like a firm, painless lump, though some might cause discomfort. They tend to be fast-growing and may stretch the skin. Treatment typically involves surgical removal. These usually benign tumors do not increase the risk of breast cancer. However, regular monitoring is important because phyllodes tumors sometimes recur after surgery.

When to Worry About a Breast Lump

It is normal for women to notice changes in their breasts at different times in their lives, as detailed below.

Before or during menstruation: Breasts may feel painful, swollen or tender, and one might feel lumps due to extra fluid.

During pregnancy: Breasts might feel lumpy as milk-producing glands increase in size.

Approaching menopause: Hormone changes may make breasts feel tender and lumpier.

After menopause: Lumps, pain and nipple discharge often decrease.

Hormone treatments: These may make breasts denser, complicating mammogram readings.

It is important to have any breast lump or change evaluated by a health care provider. While many lumps are benign, some may be warning signs of breast cancer:

• A lump in the breast or under the arm
• A patch of firm tissue
• A change in breast size or shape
• Nipple changes or discharge, especially if not breast milk
• Skin changes like itching, redness, scaling, swelling or dimples

Being familiar with how breasts normally feel may help in noticing any changes, although some changes will only be detectable through imaging procedures like mammograms, breast magnetic resonance imaging scans (breast MRIs) or breast ultrasounds. It is important to consult a health care provider if any unusual changes are detected.

Breast Lump Treatment

Treatment options for breast lumps depend on the cause, type and whether the lump is cancerous. For benign lumps, the approach varies. Some examples include the following.

Breast cysts: Simple breast cysts often resolve without intervention. If persistent or troublesome, cyst aspiration might be performed to drain the fluid.

Fibroadenomas: These benign lumps usually do not need treatment unless they are large or painful. However, they might need to be removed surgically, especially if the diagnosis is uncertain.

Hematomas: Unless they cause significant pain, they typically do not require treatment other than pain relief and monitoring.

Breast abscesses: These infections generally need surgical incision and drainage. Smaller abscesses might resolve with antibiotics and needle aspiration, but larger or recurrent abscesses may require more intensive treatment.

For malignant (cancerous) lumps, treatment typically includes a combination of:

• Breast cancer surgery to remove the tumor
• Chemotherapy to destroy breast cancer cells
• Radiation therapy for breast cancer to target and destroy remaining cancer cells
• Hormone therapy for breast cancers sensitive to hormones
• Immunotherapy for breast cancer to boost the immune system to fight cancer

The breast cancer treatment plan will be tailored to the patient’s specific situation, considering their overall health and personal preferences. It is important for patients and their families to discuss treatment options with the care team.