The difference between breast cancer and lobular hyperplasia

Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
Updated on September 25, 2024
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The difference between breast cancer and lobular hyperplasia is as follows: Lobular hyperplasia primarily manifests as nodular lumps that can be felt within one or both breasts. These lumps vary in size, are tough but not hard, and sometimes tender to touch. The boundaries of the lumps with the surrounding breast tissue are not clear, but they are not adherent to the skin or chest muscles, sometimes presenting as areas of thickening with unclear boundaries. Breast cancer, on the other hand, appears as a solitary, painless lump that is hard as stone and can be round, oval-shaped, or irregular. It can grow large, has poor mobility, and can easily adhere to the skin and surrounding tissues. The growth of the cancerous lump is not related to the menstrual cycle or emotional changes, and it can grow rapidly in a short time. On a mammogram, breast cancer lumps may show tiny calcifications, abnormal vascular shadows, and spicules.

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Early symptoms of mammary gland hyperplasia

The early symptoms of mammary gland hyperplasia are cyclic swelling pain, which worsens before menstruation and diminishes or disappears after menstruation, with these being the typical symptoms. During a physical examination, nodular lumps of varying sizes can be felt within the breast, which are firm but not hard, and sometimes tender to the touch. Ultrasonography may not show any lumps, or mammography may reveal a cotton-wool-like appearance, which can diagnose mammary gland hyperplasia. However, it is crucial to be cautious of the potential coexistence of mammary gland hyperplasia and breast cancer. On one hand, patients with significant hyperplasia should be closely followed up, advised to return to the hospital every two to three months for re-examination. On the other hand, for patients with significant hyperplastic lumps or unclear boundaries in the thickening type of mammary glands, a biopsy is recommended.

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Will a bad mood make lobular hyperplasia worse?

Breast lobular hyperplasia can worsen with mood because it is related to elevated estrogen levels caused by endocrine disorders. External living conditions, work and life circumstances, interpersonal relationships, and various other stresses can cause neuropsychiatric factors, all of which can change the internal environment of the body. This, in turn, affects the function of the endocrine system, leading to abnormal secretion of one or several hormones. During the menstrual cycle, breast receptors and internal hormone levels change periodically. When the proportion of hormones in the body becomes unbalanced, an increase in estrogen levels and a decrease in progesterone secretion can lead to incomplete regression of breast hyperplasia after its increase, causing the exacerbation of breast hyperplasia.

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Can grade II hyperplasia of small leaves become cancerous?

Fibrocystic change grade II generally does not become malignant. Fibrocystic change grade II refers to breast hyperplasia or benign tumors of the breast. It can be identified based on the typical symptoms of cyclic breast swelling and pain that worsens before menstruation and diminishes or disappears after menstruation. During physical examination, there are nodular masses of varying sizes accumulated inside the breast, which are firm but not hard, sometimes with tenderness. Ultrasound examinations show no masses, or mammography shows a cotton-wool appearance, which are main symptoms of breast hyperplasia, but the possibility of concurrent breast hyperplasia and breast cancer needs to be considered. On one hand, patients with significant breast hyperplasia should be closely followed up, advising them to return to the hospital for re-examination every two or three months; on the other hand, for those with obvious hyperplastic lumps or unclear boundaries in the thickened areas, it is recommended to perform a biopsy on suspicious lesions to prevent misdiagnosis.

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What should I do about lobular hyperplasia of the breast?

For cases with mild symptoms or less severe conditions, treatment is generally not necessary; regular follow-ups with breast ultrasound or mammography are sufficient. For those with pronounced symptoms, medication and symptomatic treatments can be given, as detailed below: Chinese herbal medicine can be used, treating breast hyperplasia through methods that soothe the liver, regulate qi, and harmonize the Chong. Endocrine treatments are also an option, though preferably avoided, but can be administered before menstruation for those who experience significant pain during the premenopausal period. Vitamin therapy, including vitamins B, C, and E, can improve liver function and regulate basal metabolism, as well as enhance the function of the autonomic nervous system, serving as supplementary medicine for this condition. Recently, vitamin E is also considered to have pain-relieving effects. For individuals with a family history of breast cancer, lesions confined to a part of the breast, or those who still have significant lumps after menstruation, it is recommended to conduct a puncture biopsy and consider surgical treatment if necessary.

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Is lobular hyperplasia nodules serious?

Small hyperplastic nodules are generally not serious. If the nodules are between 0.2-0.4cm, we can treat them with traditional Chinese medicine, using methods to soothe the liver, regulate qi, and harmonize the thoroughfare and conception vessels to treat breast nodules; If the nodules are between 0.6-0.8cm, breast ultrasound determines them as benign. If the psychological burden is light, regular ultrasound examinations can be scheduled. If the psychological burden is heavy, the nodules can be removed by minimally invasive Mammatome rotation to achieve cure. If the nodules are larger than 1.0cm, it is recommended to first perform cytology aspiration and biopsy to prevent misdiagnosis. If determined to be benign, surgical treatment can be used; if malignant, a full-body exam is recommended to check for distant metastasis to formulate a surgical treatment plan.