Are breast hyperplasia and breast lumps the same thing?

Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
Updated on March 28, 2025
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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.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Symptoms of breast hyperplasia

Breast hyperplasia mainly manifests as cyclical breast pain and tenderness, which often appears or worsens before menstruation and lessens or disappears after menstruation. Mild cases may not catch the patient's attention, while severe cases can affect daily life and work. However, some patients do not show obvious cyclical changes. Symptoms can include unilateral or bilateral breast fullness and pain or needle-like pain, which may extend to the shoulders, upper limbs, or chest/back area. A few patients may experience nipple discharge that can be yellow-green, brown, serous, or bloody. The condition can persist for a long time, but symptoms may disappear or lessen after menopause.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Can hyperplasia of mammary glands be completely cured?

Generally speaking, it is difficult to completely cure breast hyperplasia because it is related to elevated levels of estrogen. Factors such as the external environment, work, living conditions, interpersonal relationships, various stress-related psychological factors, and changes in the indoor environment cause the state of the ovaries to continuously change, leading to the condition. Therefore, over a period of time, the use of medication or changes due to stress and mental factors can improve breast hyperplasia and eliminate the feeling of pain. However, with changes in the environment occurring again, the hyperplasia can recur, similar to catching a cold. After recovery, exposure to the virus after some time can lead to a recurrence.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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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.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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What department should I go to for breast hyperplasia?

In general, large hospitals manage breast hyperplasia under the department of breast internal medicine, or it can also be seen in the department of breast surgery. Moreover, smaller hospitals that do not have a dedicated breast department categorize it under oncology or thyroid department, and sometimes under gynecology. Therefore, it is necessary to consult the local hospital to determine which department to visit for this condition. Then, further diagnostic procedures like breast ultrasound and mammography can be conducted to determine if it is breast hyperplasia.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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What foods should be eaten more for mammary gland hyperplasia?

After breast hyperplasia occurs, patients need to pay attention to their diet. They should avoid consuming high-fat, greasy, spicy, and high-calorie stimulating foods as much as possible. It is appropriate to eat more high-fiber and coarse grain foods. Moreover, the patient's diet should include high-protein, high-vitamin, and nutritionally rich foods. Eat more vegetables and fruits and arrange meals reasonably, avoiding spicy, stimulating, and greasy foods. It is also important to maintain a relaxed mood.