Breast nodule puncture

Breast nodules are a relatively common breast disease and a type of breast hyperplasia. Under normal circumstances, breast nodules are benign and will be detected when women undergo physical examinations. Breast nodules are actually a lump in the breast, which can only be felt when the lump reaches a certain size. Most women who suffer from breast nodules are of childbearing age, and when they are diagnosed, they should develop a healthy lifestyle.

Diseases for which breast nodule puncture is suitable

1. Women aged 40 to 60 are at high risk of breast cancer. Therefore, if female patients over 40 years old are found to have new nodules within 1 year, regardless of size, whether there is one or more nodules, surgical removal is recommended and the nodules should be sent for pathological examination.

2. Patients aged 35 to 39 are in a "gray zone". If a single (single solid nodule or lump > 1 cm) or multiple breast nodules are found, they can choose between surgery or follow-up observation based on the patient's wishes. If the patient has serious concerns or does not have time to return to the hospital for regular checkups, which results in the inability to detect the progression of the disease in time, minimally invasive surgery can be considered;

3. Single nodule: When the nodule is ≥ 2 cm and grows rapidly, surgical treatment is recommended;

4. Multiple nodules: When imaging examinations cannot confirm that all nodules are benign, surgery is also recommended. It is difficult for doctors to determine the nature of all nodules based on imaging examinations alone. It is possible that one of several nodules is cancer, so pathological confirmation after surgery is very necessary.

5. If the patient plans to become pregnant, surgical treatment before pregnancy is recommended. Because pregnancy and breastfeeding may cause tumor growth or even malignancy, surgical treatment is recommended to avoid difficulties in diagnosis and treatment caused by breast lumps during pregnancy.

Types of Breast Nodules

1. Breast nodules caused by breast hyperplasia

Multiple, unilateral or bilateral, mostly in the upper quadrant. The size and texture often change cyclically with menstruation. The nodules become larger and harder before menstruation, and shrink and become softer after menstruation. During the examination, breast nodules can be felt that are irregular in size, with unclear boundaries with surrounding tissues, often tender, without adhesion to the skin and deep tissues, and able to move; breast pain is often seen in one or both breasts, with pain or tenderness. The duration of the disease varies, and most patients have symptoms of cyclical pain, which occurs or worsens before menstruation and eases or disappears after menstruation.

2. Breast nodules caused by breast tumors

Benign tumors can be single or multiple, and are more common in women of childbearing age. When palpated, the nodules are generally firm, with clear boundaries and good mobility. Malignant tumors are generally single, and are more common in middle-aged and elderly women. When palpated, the nodules are generally hard, with unclear boundaries and poor mobility.