The breasts respond to circulating hormones to undergo cycles of growth and development throughout life. Breasts contain a series of lobules, which mature to produce milk during lacatation. Breast ducts connect the lobules to the nipple. The ducts are surrounded by fat cells, connective tissue, lymph nodes and blood vessels that nourish and support the structure of the breast. Changes to cells within the breast can lead to the development of noncancerous, benign tumors.
Fibroadenoma
One type of nonmalignant breast tumor is a fibroadenoma. Imaginis.com reports that fibroadenomas are most common in women 20 to 30 years old and affect women of African-American descent more than women of other races or ethnicities. The tumor contains both glandular tissue from the breast lobules or ducts, as well as connective tissue, and feels like a marble in the breast. Most women develop only one tumor, but some women may develop two or more. A fibroadenoma can be diagnosed by tissue analysis after a tumor biopsy. Some fibroadenomas may not require treatment, as they can shrink or disappear on their own, while aggressive or large fibroadenomas may be treated with surgery.
Phallodes Tumors
Another type of typically nonmalignant breast tumor is a phallodes tumor. It is a rare breast tumor that is similar to a fibroadeonoma but may grow more aggressively. Phallodes tumors can be detecting during a physical breast examination as a hard lump within the breast and diagnosed following tissue biopsy and analysis, reports the University of Rochester Medical Center. Although the great majority of phallodes tumors are benign, in rare cases more aggressive forms of phallodes tumors grow quickly and may have the potential to develop into cancerous tumors if left untreated. Women with phallodes tumors usually undergo surgery to remove the tumor and must be monitored to detect tumor recurrence in the future.
Intraductal Papilloma
Another type of nonmalignant breast tumor is an intraductal papilloma, which develops from the abnormal growth of cells in the milk ducts. MedlinePlus indicates that intraductal papillomas are most common in women between the ages of 35 and 55. An intraductal papilloma tumor is not usually visible on a mammogram and may not be detectable during a physical breast examination but is usually detected based on the symptoms it causes. Intraductal papillomas can lead to breast enlargement and pain, as well as abnormal nipple discharge. The tumor is identified as an intraductal papilloma following tissue biopsy, imaging of the breast and analysis of any nipple discharge to rule out cancer. It is then treated with a surgical removal of the duct.
