Subscribe
107
Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
About me
Graduated from Jiamusi Medical University in July 2005 with a Master's degree in Medicine.
Proficient in diseases
Treat various breast diseases such as breast hyperplasia, benign and malignant tumors. Has unique insights into the application of mammary ductoscopy.
Voices
How many days does it take for the fever from acute mastitis to go away?
The fever associated with acute mastitis can subside within a few days, but it needs to be evaluated through ultrasound and a complete blood count; these tests can be performed in the breast department of a standard hospital. If the blood count exceeds 10,000, temporary fever reduction is possible, but inflammation can cause fever to recur. In such cases, local warm and moist compresses are recommended, and injections of saline combined with penicillin can be administered to help reduce inflammation. Systemic antibiotics such as penicillin and cephalosporins can be used. Since antibiotics can be secreted into breast milk and affect infants, the use of tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, sulfa drugs, and metronidazole should be avoided. After three days of intravenous treatment, a follow-up complete blood count should be conducted to determine whether anti-inflammatory symptomatic treatment should be discontinued.
Does acute mastitis require milk dredging?
During acute mastitis, it is necessary to apply local heat and then clear the milk ducts by stroking them to drain excess milk. If milk stasis occurs in the ducts, it can aggravate inflammation and, in severe cases, lead to the formation of a breast abscess. Once a breast abscess forms, it requires incision and drainage, so it is essential to completely drain any residual milk during acute mastitis. For acute pancreatitis, prevention is more important than treatment. The specific methods include maintaining nipple cleanliness during breastfeeding, frequently washing the nipples with warm soapy water, developing good breastfeeding habits, breastfeeding regularly, ensuring that the milk is fully drawn each time, and if not, either manually expressing or using a breast pump. Additionally, avoid letting the baby sleep with the nipple in their mouth.
Is massage useful for breast distension pain?
Breast pain massage can be effective, but the effect is not very clear. Breast pain is generally related to breast hyperplasia, which is often linked to increased levels of estrogen due to endocrine disorders. Under normal circumstances, for symptoms that are quite obvious, we can use traditional Chinese medicine for treatment, which alleviates the pain through methods such as soothing the liver and regulating Qi, as well as harmonizing vital energy. Vitamin treatment can also be used. Vitamins B, C, and E improve liver function, regulate sex hormone metabolism, and enhance autonomic nervous function, serving as auxiliary medications for this condition. Vitamin E also has a pain-relieving effect. Endocrine treatment can also be used, although it is generally best avoided if possible. However, for patients in the pre-menopausal period who experience significant pain, it can be taken before the onset of menstruation.
What is causing breast swelling, pain, and discharge of pus?
Breast pain and hyperplasia are related, while purulent discharge might be caused by inflammation within the ducts. Usually, this can be diagnosed through ductoscopy. If it is inflammation, the lesions can be identified under ductoscopy, and then can be treated through washing with metronidazole and gentamicin, achieving a cure. However, there is a scenario where the issue is due to previously forcefully suppressing milk expulsion, leading to a large amount of milk residue in the ducts, causing purulent discharge. In this case, local heat application followed by massage and milk expulsion performed by a professional lactation masseuse can cure the condition. Regular follow-up with ultrasound and mammography of the breast is needed in the future. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)
Are breast hyperplasia and breast lumps the same thing?
Breast hyperplasia and breast lumps are different. Breast hyperplasia can be found in one or both breasts, where nodular lumps of varying sizes can be felt. These lumps are tough but not hard, sometimes causing a stabbing pain. The borders of the lumps are not distinctly separate from the surrounding breast tissue, but they are not adhered to the skin or the chest muscles. Sometimes, they manifest as areas of thickening with unclear boundaries. On the other hand, breast lumps generally occur as a single lump in one breast, are round or oval in shape, have clear boundaries, are movable, and the texture is generally firm. They might be multiple, but usually, there's no breast pain or only mild discomfort during menstruation. The size and nature of the breast lumps do not change with the menstrual cycle.
What are the symptoms of breast cancer in the nipple?
Breast cancer typically results in bloody nipple discharge. If the condition progresses, it can cause the breast to shrink, harden, and the nipple to elevate. Due to the pulling of the milk ducts, the nipple may flatten, retract, or even become inverted. Over several months, there may also be significant enlargement, causing the affected breast's volume to increase and protrude. Breast cancer can invade the chest muscle fascia and muscles, causing the tumor to fix to the chest wall and become difficult to move. Cancer cells block the subcutaneous lymphatic vessels, leading to lymphatic retention and resulting in dermal edema. The skin will then exhibit an orange peel-like texture.
Does lobular hyperplasia have classifications?
Breast hyperplasia grading and color Doppler mammography grading are the same: Grade 0 indicates incomplete assessment and requires further confirmation; Grade 1 is a negative result, meaning only the normal structure of the breast; Grade 2 are benign findings, indicating benign signs such as breast hyperplasia, breast cysts, and breast lipomas; Grade 3 refers to benign findings but with a 2% malignancy rate, such as fibroadenomas of the breast; Grade 4 is suspiciously malignant and biopsy is recommended; Grade 5 suggests a high likelihood of malignancy; Grade 6 is clearly malignant, needing pathological confirmation of malignancy.
Are nipple pain and breast tenderness the same thing?
Nipple pain and breast swelling are the same issues, both caused by mammary gland hyperplasia. Mammary gland hyperplasia mainly manifests as cyclic swelling and pain of the mammary glands, typically occurring or worsening before menstruation and diminishing or disappearing after menstruation. The mild cases get unnoticed by patients, while severe ones can impact daily life and work. However, some patients do not show obvious cyclical changes. It may present as swelling and pain in one or both breasts, similar to needle pricks, possibly extending to the shoulders, upper limbs, or thoracic-back area. A minority of patients may experience nipple discharge, and the condition can last for a long time, but symptoms usually disappear or diminish after menopause. During physical examinations, nodular lumps of varying sizes, which are tough but not hard, can sometimes be felt in one or both breasts. These lumps sometimes move when touched, and their boundaries with the surrounding breast tissue are not clear. However, they are not adherent to the skin or pectoral muscles. Sometimes it appears as a thickened area with unclear boundaries. The lumps often swell before menstruation and shrink afterward.
How will breast hyperplasia worsen?
Breast hyperplasia worsening can turn into breast cancer. The texture of breast cancer lumps is generally quite hard, and some are as hard as stone. They mostly occur as a single lump on one side, and can be round, oval, or irregular in shape. They can grow quite large, have limited mobility, and easily adhere to the skin and surrounding tissues. The lump is unrelated to menstrual cycles and emotional changes, and can rapidly increase in size over a short period of time, commonly occurring in middle-aged and older women. Additionally, on a mammogram, breast cancer often appears as a lump shadow, with small calcification spots, abnormal vascular shadows, and spurs also aiding in diagnosis. However, the final diagnosis must be confirmed by histopathological examination results.
Can breast engorgement and blocked milk ducts be treated with scraping therapy?
Breast pain and blocked milk ducts are not recommended for scraping therapy, as scraping can easily cause inflammation of the mammary glands and result in breast damage. Breast heaviness and blocked milk ducts are likely caused by the accumulation of milk in the ducts. It is advised to visit a regular hospital for a breast ultrasound to determine if the issue is caused by inflammation or lipid accumulation. If the condition is merely an accumulation, using a warm towel for heat compresses and massage can achieve the effect of unblocking the milk ducts. However, if the condition is caused by inflammation, and the symptoms are mild and the lesions are not severe, breastfeeding can still be continued. Nevertheless, the affected breast should not be used for breastfeeding. A breast pump can be used to extract the milk.