Costochondritis as a cause of breast pain

im 25. My mentrual cycle went haywired a couple of months back. After 10days of period, a week break then another cycle starts. My mum said its not menstruation. You have any idea what it is? It might be the reason for my worry on my left breast. Just discovered it about 3days ago. When i press against the lower part of my breast, nearer to my sternum side, i feel a lump. Its not a soft lump but feels like a swollen bone, as if a 5-cent coin portion of the rib bone is swollen. It hurts when i press it but dont feel anything when i leave it alone. I dunno whether to worry about it or think i probably hit somethg since im quite cluelessly clumsy.Do help ease my worry! Thank u!

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

Menstrual irregularities are usually the result of hormonal fluctuations that can cause breast pain at the same time. However what you have described appears to be unrelated problems as your breast pain is likely to be due to costochondritis, an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the sternum. This causes a sharp pain when you press the costosternal joint- where your ribs and sternum are joined by the cartilage. The causes of costochondritis are largely unknown but can be due to injury, strenuous exertion or a rare condition called fibromyalgia. Majority of cases resolved spontaneously in a few weeks if left alone although anti-inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxants can help expedite the recovery.

Bothersome breast pain

my breast feel swollen and hard ,even after a week i finish my menses , and often before my menses come, i will feel the breast pain ,it is terrible , is there any medicine or pill that can eliminate the pain .is it because i have more breast tissue , but my breast size is not consider big.

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

Breast pain is the most common breast-related complaint in women of the reproductive age group. It is commonly related to the response of the breast tissue to the hormonal changes each month and does not mean that small breasted women are spared of this problem. For most women, conservative measures (although the scientific evidence is not conclusive) like reducing your salt and caffeine intake, wearing a well-fitted bra with appropriate support and intake of certain vitamins e.g. Vit B and E or evening primrose oil improve their symptoms. Maintaining a healthy weight and stress reduction can help stabilise hormone levels hence help alleviate the problem. Occasional use of anti-inflammatory drugs or painkillers can also help but not advocated as a long-term solution. In very resistant cases, hormone-based drugs e.g. danazol has been used but has side effects of weight gain, absence of menstruation, and masculinization when given in high doses.

Breastfeeding after breast surgery

Hi, for my case the lump is big (45mmx20mm). if surgery is the only option, can I continue breastfeed my baby? and will it has any impact for future breastfeeding?

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

In general breastfeeding is not contraindicated after surgery. Surgery to remove breast lumps also does not affect future breastfeeding unless large areas of breast tissue was removed from immediately behind the nipple disrupting the collecting ducts and lactiferous sinuses that drain milk out through the nipple.

Blood-tinged milk may be expected immediately post-op but it is generally safe if not heavily stained. You may choose to discard the blood-stained milk and give your baby the milk once it clears up. If your lump is located just behind or close to the nipple, breastfeeding can be troublesome and painful especially if the incision is made around the same region. For lumps situated away from the nipple, this is not a problem.

Based on the dimensions you have given, your breast lump appears ellipsoid which is one of the features of benign lumps. Hence you may not need to rush into surgery until you have stopped breastfeeding. However you will need follow-up ultrasound examinations every 3-6 monthly to establish that it is not growing rapidly.

Painful breast lump during breastfeeding

hi i have been breast ffeding my son for 8 weeks now, i have a lump in my right breast which is really sore especially to touch but it also hurts when im feeding, im hoping it is nothing serious, i really dont want to stop feeding my son yet but due to the pain i think i will have to,could this just be something to do with milk glands, can someone help.

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

Painful breast lumps that occur during breast feeding are galactocoeles (a thin-walled collection of milk), blocked ducts, mastitis (inflammation of breast tissue) and abscesses (pus collections). In all of these cases, you do not have to stop breastfeeding. In fact breastfeeding drains the affected breast and provides relief from engorgement and worsening of the pain. Manual drainage with breast massage by a well-trained lactation nurse can help but if left unattended, blocked ducts and progress to mastitits and an abscess over just a few days. I would suggest seeing a doctor if the painful lump does not resolve in 48 hours or if you start developing a fever. An ultrasound of the breast will determine the nature of the lump. You may require aspiration on top of antibiotics if the contents of the lump is liquid e.g. milk or pus for symptom relief as well as to control the infection.

Rash and nipple discharge affecting both breasts

Hi there, I’m 20 years old. Both my left and right breasts seems to have some sort of an infection. On the left breast, it’s a reddish rash and seems to be spreading. On the right breast, the areola seems to be in a cycle of drying & peeling (i dont know whether it’s counted as “scaly”).
When i did i a slight squeeze on both breast, there’s a colourless fluid coming out. I’m really scared on whether it’s breast cancer or is it piaget’s disease. Should i do a mammography or go for a check up?
Please advise!! Thanks alot!

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

Bilateral nipple rash is commonly an atopic condition, especially if you are constantly exposed to an irritant that you are sensitive to e.g. synthetic materials, fragrance etc. It can extend over a larger area with time especially if chronic self-medication further exposes you to ingredients in over-the-counter products that you are sensitive to. Other possible causes are bacterial or fungal infections. I would advise a consult with a skin specialist who can exclude the infective conditions before prescribing the appropriate steroid creams to treat your condition. While Pagets disease of the breast can present as an unresolving nipple rash despite appropriate treatment, it is an uncommon presentation and usually does not involve both breasts. As for the colourless discharge from both breasts on expression, this can be normal for a percentage of females especially during periods of hormonal fluctuations. This should not cause alarm.

Pimples on the nipple

I have 3 purple pimples on 1 nipple. I am 51 years old and haven’t had a period in 2 years. I have just noticed this in the last month. Not sure if I this is something to be concerned about

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

If you mean these bumps are on the areolar (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple) they are Montgomery glands that appear like extra large “goose bumps”. They are normal sebaceous glands that secrete a waxy, lipoid fluid to lubricate, moisturize and protect the areola and the nipple. Stimulation causes them to become more prominent.

However if these bumps are on the nipple itself, they may represent just encrusted dead skin or small amounts of nipple secretions that have gone unnoticed or infection e.g. collections of pustules. Whichever the case, post-menopausal changes in the breast and nipple warrant attention and I would advise you to consult a breast doctor.

Iam 28 years old girl.I have eczema on my left breast nipple from the last 7 years.I have tried everythng from homeopathic to allopathic and ayurvedic.Since the last 6 months iam taking treatment from a reputed homeopathic clinic.The process is very slow.Kindly provide a solution to my problem.

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

Nipple eczema is a common problem but can be a long-drawn problem if the precipitating factor is not entirely removed. I would suggest a consult with a skin specialist who can exclude infective causes like fungal infections or irritant contact dermatitis associated with chronic self-medication. Eczematous conditions can be difficult to treat and require maintenance treatment in order to avoid flares even when relief is achieved. Because you are young and you have had the same stable condition for 7 years, this is unlikely to be breast cancer. However, an unresolving worsening nipple rash can be one of the uncommon presentations of breast cancer.

Bloodr fluid after breast op

My sister just had breasts ruduction. she has been leaking blood through one of the breast the doctor kept saying that’s normal. Now she is leaking an oily like discharge followed by light brown bloody color discharge. The doctor told her to kept taking her antibiotic and he also squized that one breast. My sister told me it gave lots of bloody discharge. it’s been over a month now. her breast has a little hole between the skin and the Aorla that’s where all the discharge are coming from and it’s widening litle by little. Can you help me help her? it’s getting very disturbing and the doctor does not want to do anything about it. Help!!!

BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

Your sister has a seroma collection after breast reduction surgery. This problem is very common after breast surgery and is the result of excess blood plasma collecting in the operated site. The body usually absorbs the fluid over time and this may take weeks to months. The little hole you mentioned is likely to be a minor wound breakdown as a result of the back pressure caused by the seroma collection. Most surgeons manage this conservatively as once the body absorbs the fluid gradually and the open wound will heal in time. However if the discharge increases and changes in nature from slightly bloody, clear to turbid and foul-smelling, infection could have set in and she may need surgical drainage on top of oral antibiotics.

Multiple benign breast conditions

Hi, I am 27 years old and had just remove 2 right breast lumps. The doc informed me they are harmless lumps. But i have some qns based on the histopathology report. The report states ‘ Sections of breast tissue show a fibroadenoma. There is adjacent fibrocystic change with ductal hyperplasia and intraductal microcalcification. Also noted is a focus of sclerosing adenosis and a small intraductal papilloma less than 1 mm diameter. There is no evidence of malignancy’. From my research, seems like they are different benign breast conditions. Does that means that my breast had all the different condtions? Could i have a higher risk of breast cancer in future?

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

You are right that you have different types of benign breast conditions co-existing within the vincinity of the lumps which were removed. This is not uncommon in the background of fibrocystic changes. While the terms sound complicated these are but terms used to describe the changes seen on detailed sections made on the specimens. Based on the information you have given, you do not have a higher risk of breast cancer unless atypical ductal hyperplasia or lobular neoplasia was found.

Painful “Bruise” in the breast

just recently i got a sore lump on my left breast. now on my left breast above the lump its like another lump but its abit swollen. The first lump is all bruised look. my breast is sore and am finding it difficult to sleep and if am trying to turn in my sleep or get out of bed am having to hold my breast as its that painful. what maybe the problem???

THE BREAST DOCTORS SAY:

Breast cysts are usually the cause of sudden painful lumps in the breast. They cause pain when there is sudden increase in the fluid within the cysts and appear bruised when there is a rupture of fine blood vessels resulting in bleeding into the cyst. These symptoms are usually self-limiting. I would advise painkillers e.g. panadol and resting from strenuous activities for a week. If these symptoms persists or worsen, you should see your doctor. Another possible cause for your symptoms is fat necrosis from contact injury. An ultrasound of the breast can determine the true nature of the lumps in your case. You may even require aspiration of the fluid to relieve your symptoms.