The internal structure of each breast consists of glandular tissue, made up of lobules and ducts, as well as surrounding connective tissue, fat cells, lymph vessels, blood vessels and nerves. A number of cell types work together to maintain the breast tissue and help fight off disease. A fever in the breast, noticeable as abnormally warm breast tissue, can indicate the presence of a number of harmful underlying disorders and diseases.
Breast Infection
One possible cause of a fever in the breast is a breast infection, also called mastitis. Breast tissue most commonly becomes infected due to cracks or cuts in the skin on the breast or nipple. The broken skin allows viruses, bacteria or fungi to enter the breast and infect cells within the breast tissue. As more and more cells become infected, the immune system responds to the infectious particles and mounts an immune response. The site of infection becomes flooded with immune system cells that work to destroy the infectious agent and fight the infection. The result of this immune response is an increase in temperature, leading to a noticeably warm breast. If left untreated, mastitis can lead to dangerous breast abscesses, so a breast infection requires medical attention. The University of Maryland Medical Center indicates that antibiotic medications effectively treat breast infections.
Cellulitis
Another possible cause of a noticeable fever in the breast is cellulitis, an infection and inflammation of the skin. Although celllulitis commonly affects the skin of the legs, it may also affect the skin overlying the breast. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that the bacteria streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus account for most cases of cellulitis, and that antibiotics to treat the infection can help treat the disease. Patients with cellulitis often experience pain and swelling in the skin over the breast, along with a general fever and chills. The risk of developing cellulitis increases with age, as aged skin is more prone to breakage and bacterial colonization.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
A more serious cause of fever in the breast is inflammatory breast cancer. This form of cancer is rare, and accounts for up to 5 percent of total breast cancer cases, reports the National Cancer Institute. Inflammatory breast cancer is very aggressive and progresses quickly, with symptoms worsening within weeks or even days. Inflammatory breast cancer cells proliferate uncontrollably, eventually blocking the lymph vessels in the breast and disrupting the normal flow of lymphatic fluid. The resulting buildup of fluid causes breast swelling and irritation and stimulates an immune response from the body. The result is a feverish and swollen breast, along with general fatigue. Inflammatory breast cancer requires aggressive treatment to target and kill cancer cells. Left untreated, it can prove fatal.
