(breast disorder) A non-neoplastic or neoplastic disorder that affects the breast. Representative examples of non-neoplastic disorders include fibrocystic disease, gynecomastia, and mastitis. Representative examples of neoplastic disorders include fibroadenoma, lobular neoplasia, carcinoma, lymphoma, and sarcoma.

Most women experience breast changes at some time. Your age, hormone levels, and medicines you take may cause lumps, bumps, and discharges (fluids that are not breast milk). If you have a breast lump, pain, discharge or skin irritation, see your health care provider. Minor and serious breast problems have similar symptoms. Although many women fear cancer, most breast problems are not cancer. Some common breast changes are: Fibrocystic breast changes - lumpiness, thickening and swelling, often just before a woman's period; Cysts - fluid-filled lumps; Fibroadenomas - solid, round, rubbery lumps that move easily when pushed, occurring most in younger women; Intraductal papillomas - growths similar to warts near the nipple; Blocked milk ducts; Milk production when a woman is not breastfeeding. NIH: National Cancer Institute

Pathological processes of the BREAST.

(mammary disorder) Disease or disorder of the breast.

Breast disorders may be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Most are noncancerous and not life threatening. Often, they do not require treatment. In contrast, breast cancer can mean loss of a breast or of life. Thus, for many women, breast cancer is their worst fear. However, potential problems can often be detected early...