Breast cancer needs to be differentiated from benign breast tumors

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women. Clinically, it often needs to be differentiated from some benign breast tumors, such as breast fibroids and intraductal papilloma.

Breast fibroadenoma

Breast fibroadenoma is the most common benign tumor among breast diseases. It can occur at any age after puberty, and mostly occurs in young women between 20 and 25 years old. Breast fibroadenoma is composed of glandular and fibrous tissues, with a smooth surface, tough texture, clear tumor boundaries, no adhesion to the skin and surrounding tissues, and can be easily pushed in the breast, with a sliding feeling when touched. Breast fibroadenoma grows slowly and may not change for several years, and the chance of canceration is low.

Intraductal papilloma

Intraductal papilloma occurs mostly in women aged 40 to 50 years old, and 75% of patients develop it in large milk ducts close to the nipple. It can also occur in cysts near the nipple that are connected to the milk duct. Intraductal papilloma is very small, but often has villi and many thin-walled blood vessels. It is very easy to bleed, and there may be bloody discharge from the nipple.

It should be noted that about 6% to 8% of intraductal papilloma can become cancerous, so ductalography or breast duct endoscopy should be performed before treatment to confirm the diagnosis. In addition, patients with intraductal papilloma should have the diseased milk ducts and surrounding glandular tissue removed through surgery to avoid future problems. Older women should undergo simple mastectomy.