Breast Diseases
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The breast is the overlying tissue on the pectoral muscles of the chest. Women’s breasts are made up of fatty tissue and tissue responsible for producing milk (glandular tissue). The size of the breast is determined by the amount of fatty tissue present.
The breast consists of connective tissue and ligaments that are responsible for providing support and giving the breast its shape. The breast also consists of lymph vessels, blood vessels and lymph nodes. There are several types of breast conditions that may affect breast tissue, of which some may cause breast pain and discomfort.
Breast conditions may include:
- Breast cancer – Best cancer occurs when there is abnormal cell growth in the breast tissue. If left untreated, cancerous (malignant) tissue may spread to other parts of the body.
- Simple breast cyst – a cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops inside the breast. Cysts are normally benign (non-cancerous). Breast cysts can cause tenderness and discomfort.
- Mastitis – a cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops inside the breast. Cysts are normally benign (non-cancerous). Breast cysts can cause tenderness and discomfort.
- Breast calcifications – this occurs when there are calcium deposits in the breast. Breast calcifications may indicate cancer or pre-cancer.
- Adenosis of the breast – this is a benign enlargement of the breast nodules. Breast adenosis can be mistaken for breast cancer; therefore, a biopsy is essential for accurate diagnosis.
Surgical Treatment
It is important that breast abnormalities are checked early for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. A mammogram, breast exam or biopsy may be done for diagnosis. Should surgery be required, Dr Ndhluni may perform the following:
- Needle aspiration – this is a biopsy procedure used to extract tissue or fluid from the breast to test for cancer. During this procedure, a thin needle is inserted into the affected area to obtain a tissue sample.
- Core biopsy – like the needle aspiration, this is a procedure to extract tissue from the breast for testing. In this case, a wider bore needle (trucut needle) is used to obtain the tissue sample.
- Lumpectomy – also called “breast-conserving” surgery, lumpectomy is a procedure that involves the removal of a tumour and a portion of the surrounding breast tissue. This ensures cancerous cells or abnormal tissue are removed while preserving the breast.
- Mastectomy – this is a procedure performed to remove the entire breast. Mastectomy is normally performed when one is diagnosed with breast cancer or is at high risk of developing breast cancer.
- Lymph Node Removal – Lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system and are responsible for transporting fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells throughout the body. This fluid is called lymph. If cancer cells affect this system, they can spread through the body. During a lymph node removal, the breast surgeon will remove the lymph nodes that may contain evidence of cancer.
- Reconstructive surgery – breast reconstructive surgery involves the rebuilding of a portion of a breast or the entire breast. This surgery is mostly recommended to regain confidence after surgery. With advances in breast cancer surgery, reconstruction can now be skin-sparing and nipple-sparing, resulting in a superior cosmetic outcome. Own tissue reconstruction (autologous) and implant reconstruction are the commonest reconstructive options.
Breast conditions may include:
- Breast cancer – Best cancer occurs when there is abnormal cell growth in the breast tissue. If left untreated, cancerous (malignant) tissue may spread to other parts of the body.
- Simple breast cyst – a cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops inside the breast. Cysts are normally benign (non-cancerous). Breast cysts can cause tenderness and discomfort.
- Mastitis – a cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops inside the breast. Cysts are normally benign (non-cancerous). Breast cysts can cause tenderness and discomfort.
- Breast calcifications – this occurs when there are calcium deposits in the breast. Breast calcifications may indicate cancer or pre-cancer.
- Adenosis of the breast – this is a benign enlargement of the breast nodules. Breast adenosis can be mistaken for breast cancer; therefore, a biopsy is essential for accurate diagnosis.
Surgical Treatment
It is important that breast abnormalities are checked early for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. A mammogram, breast exam or biopsy may be done for diagnosis. Should surgery be required, Dr Ndhluni may perform the following:
- Needle aspiration – this is a biopsy procedure used to extract tissue or fluid from the breast to test for cancer. During this procedure, a thin needle is inserted into the affected area to obtain a tissue sample.
- Core biopsy – like the needle aspiration, this is a procedure to extract tissue from the breast for testing. In this case, a wider bore needle (trucut needle) is used to obtain the tissue sample.
- Lumpectomy – also called “breast-conserving” surgery, lumpectomy is a procedure that involves the removal of a tumour and a portion of the surrounding breast tissue. This ensures cancerous cells or abnormal tissue are removed while preserving the breast.
- Mastectomy – this is a procedure performed to remove the entire breast. Mastectomy is normally performed when one is diagnosed with breast cancer or is at high risk of developing breast cancer.
- Lymph Node Removal – Lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system and are responsible for transporting fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells throughout the body. This fluid is called lymph. If cancer cells affect this system, they can spread through the body. During a lymph node removal, the breast surgeon will remove the lymph nodes that may contain evidence of cancer.
- Reconstructive surgery – breast reconstructive surgery involves the rebuilding of a portion of a breast or the entire breast. This surgery is mostly recommended to regain confidence after surgery. With advances in breast cancer surgery, reconstruction can now be skin-sparing and nipple-sparing, resulting in a superior cosmetic outcome. Own tissue reconstruction (autologous) and implant reconstruction are the commonest reconstructive options.