{"id":3249,"date":"2025-12-26T07:05:07","date_gmt":"2025-12-26T07:05:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/?p=3249"},"modified":"2026-10-01T07:09:37","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T07:09:37","slug":"what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-painful-breast-lump-when-pressed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-painful-breast-lump-when-pressed\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are the Symptoms of a Painful Breast Lump When Pressed?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The primary cause of painful breast masses when pressed is often dilation of the breast ducts, known as cysts, and fibrocystic tissue tension associated with the hormonal cycle. This painful tenderness occurs when increased fluid pressure within the tissue strains Cooper&#8217;s ligaments and mechanically stimulates the nerve endings. In addition to cysts, infections such as mastitis, breast abscesses, trauma-related fat necrosis, and rapidly growing fibroadenomas may also create firm areas that are painful when touched. Although this symptom is most often an indicator of benign processes, radiological confirmation of the source of the pain is highly important because it may rarely be confused with conditions such as inflammatory breast cancer.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #ffffff;color:#ffffff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #ffffff;color:#ffffff\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-painful-breast-lump-when-pressed\/#How_Do_Hormonal_Changes_Trigger_the_Sensation_of_a_Painful_Breast_Mass\" >How Do Hormonal Changes Trigger the Sensation of a Painful Breast Mass?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-painful-breast-lump-when-pressed\/#What_Are_Cysts_the_Most_Common_Cause_of_Painful_Breast_Masses_When_Pressed\" >What Are Cysts, the Most Common Cause of Painful Breast Masses When Pressed?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-painful-breast-lump-when-pressed\/#Why_Do_Fibroadenomas_Seen_in_Young_Women_Sometimes_Cause_Pain\" >Why Do Fibroadenomas Seen in Young Women Sometimes Cause Pain?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-painful-breast-lump-when-pressed\/#What_Are_the_Symptoms_of_a_Painful_Mass_Caused_by_Infection\" >What Are the Symptoms of a Painful Mass Caused by Infection?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-painful-breast-lump-when-pressed\/#How_Are_Firm_Areas_and_Fat_Necrosis_After_Trauma_Distinguished\" >How Are Firm Areas and Fat Necrosis After Trauma Distinguished?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-painful-breast-lump-when-pressed\/#Why_Is_Idiopathic_Granulomatous_Mastitis_a_Difficult_Process\" >Why Is Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis a Difficult Process?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-painful-breast-lump-when-pressed\/#In_Which_Situations_Can_a_Painful_Mass_When_Pressed_Be_a_Sign_of_Cancer\" >In Which Situations Can a Painful Mass When Pressed Be a Sign of Cancer?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-painful-breast-lump-when-pressed\/#How_Is_the_Mass_Evaluated_During_a_Doctors_Examination\" >How Is the Mass Evaluated During a Doctor&#8217;s Examination?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-painful-breast-lump-when-pressed\/#Which_Radiological_Tests_Are_Required_for_Diagnosis\" >Which Radiological Tests Are Required for Diagnosis?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-painful-breast-lump-when-pressed\/#How_Is_a_Needle_Biopsy_Performed_and_Does_It_Hurt\" >How Is a Needle Biopsy Performed and Does It Hurt?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-painful-breast-lump-when-pressed\/#What_Are_the_Treatment_Options_and_Surgical_Approaches\" >What Are the Treatment Options and Surgical Approaches?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Do_Hormonal_Changes_Trigger_the_Sensation_of_a_Painful_Breast_Mass\"><\/span>How Do Hormonal Changes Trigger the Sensation of a Painful Breast Mass?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The female body goes through a remarkable process of change governed by hormones in a regular monthly cycle. During this process, breast tissue is not merely a passive organ but a dynamic structure that responds strongly to hormones. Especially during the second half of the menstrual cycle, in the period after ovulation, significant changes occur in the breast tissue as the body prepares for a possible pregnancy. Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels increase the water-retaining capacity of the breast tissue, resulting in edema.<\/p>\n<p>During this period, the ducts within the breast tissue dilate slightly, the amount of fluid between the tissues increases, and vascularity becomes more pronounced. If the person&#8217;s breast structure has fibrocystic characteristics, meaning there are millimetric cysts or areas of dense connective tissue within the tissue, this fluid retention becomes much more noticeable. Small structures that are normally not palpable or painful become tense due to the increased fluid pressure. This tension strains the ligaments that suspend the breast tissue and stimulates the nerve endings within the tissue. As a result, the patient feels that the firm areas she can touch have become more prominent and painful when pressed. When hormone levels fall with the onset of menstrual bleeding, the edema resolves and the sensation of a painful mass disappears on its own.<\/p>\n<p>The main factors involved in this process are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Estrogen level<\/li>\n<li>Progesterone fluctuations<\/li>\n<li>Tissue edema<\/li>\n<li>Vascular congestion<\/li>\n<li>Dilation of the breast ducts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_Cysts_the_Most_Common_Cause_of_Painful_Breast_Masses_When_Pressed\"><\/span>What Are Cysts, the Most Common Cause of Painful Breast Masses When Pressed?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In the majority of patients who present to outpatient clinics with the complaint, &#8220;I can feel something like a marble, and it hurts a lot when I touch it,&#8221; the detected lesions are breast cysts. Cysts are sacs that form when the terminal, or end, portions of the breast ducts dilate and fill with fluid. You can think of them as balloons filled with water. These structures are especially common in women between the ages of 35 and 50 during the premenopausal period.<\/p>\n<p>Whether a cyst causes pain is entirely related to the pressure of the fluid inside it. If the cyst is very tense, it becomes painful when pressed because of the physical pressure it places on the surrounding tissue. These cysts may sometimes be so superficial that they can be noticed even from the outside or may feel like a hard marble under the hand. The most important characteristic of cysts is that their size may vary; they may be very large and painful one month and shrink or disappear the next month.<\/p>\n<p>The types of cysts encountered on ultrasonographic examination are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Simple cysts<\/li>\n<li>Complicated cysts<\/li>\n<li>Complex cysts<\/li>\n<li>Septated cysts<\/li>\n<li>Cysts with dense contents<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Simple cysts are structures completely filled with clear fluid and do not carry a risk of becoming cancerous. However, tense cysts larger than 3 centimeters or those that cause severe pain may reduce the patient&#8217;s quality of life. In this situation, draining the cyst with a fine needle both confirms the diagnosis and relieves the patient&#8217;s pain immediately.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Do_Fibroadenomas_Seen_in_Young_Women_Sometimes_Cause_Pain\"><\/span>Why Do Fibroadenomas Seen in Young Women Sometimes Cause Pain?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In young women in their 20s and 30s, masses that &#8220;slide like soap&#8221; beneath the fingers, have very clearly defined borders, and feel rubbery are generally called &#8220;fibroadenomas.&#8221; Fibroadenomas are benign tumors formed by excessive development of the breast&#8217;s milk glands and connective tissue. They are generally known to be painless and are discovered incidentally during routine examinations. However, this rule does not always apply.<\/p>\n<p>In certain special situations, fibroadenomas may also become painful masses when pressed. Especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or when external hormone supplements are used, these masses may tend to grow rapidly. When a mass grows quickly, it stretches the capsule surrounding it or its own blood supply becomes insufficient, causing small areas of impaired tissue nutrition, known as infarction. In these situations, the normally quiet and mobile mass may become very painful when pressed or compressed by a bra.<\/p>\n<p>The typical characteristics of fibroadenomas are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>High mobility<\/li>\n<li>Smooth borders<\/li>\n<li>Rubbery consistency<\/li>\n<li>Slow growth rate<\/li>\n<li>Hormonal sensitivity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In addition, &#8220;phyllodes tumors,&#8221; which closely resemble fibroadenomas but have a much greater potential for rapid growth, must also be considered in the differential diagnosis within this group. Unlike fibroadenomas, these tumors may reach enormous sizes in a short period and cause pain by stretching the breast skin.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_the_Symptoms_of_a_Painful_Mass_Caused_by_Infection\"><\/span>What Are the Symptoms of a Painful Mass Caused by Infection?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If a palpable breast mass is accompanied by redness of the skin, increased warmth, and significant tenderness, the first condition that should come to mind is infection, namely mastitis. This is not merely a simple mass but an indication that there is an active battle in that region of the body. Unlike cystic or solid masses, infection-related masses may also cause systemic symptoms; the patient may feel weak and develop a fever.<\/p>\n<p>Lactational mastitis, which is especially seen in breastfeeding women, begins when bacteria entering through cracks in the nipple cause an infection in the milk ducts. Stagnation of milk flow creates an ideal environment for bacteria to multiply. The mass that develops at this stage is actually a cavity filled with pus, namely an abscess. A sensation of fluid movement inside when touched with a finger, which we call &#8220;fluctuation,&#8221; is the most important sign of abscess formation. In women who smoke, recurrent abscesses may occur because of damage to the ducts behind the nipple.<\/p>\n<p>The symptoms seen in infection are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Redness of the skin<\/li>\n<li>Regional increase in warmth<\/li>\n<li>Throbbing pain<\/li>\n<li>High fever<\/li>\n<li>Weakness<\/li>\n<li>Purulent discharge<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In such masses, antibiotic treatment alone may not be sufficient. Physical drainage of the accumulated pus is the cornerstone of the healing process.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Are_Firm_Areas_and_Fat_Necrosis_After_Trauma_Distinguished\"><\/span>How Are Firm Areas and Fat Necrosis After Trauma Distinguished?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Following a severe blow to the breast, a seatbelt injury from a traffic accident, or previous breast surgery, the fat cells within the tissue may be damaged. This condition is medically called &#8220;Fat Necrosis.&#8221; Because breast tissue is rich in fat, the damaged fatty tissue first liquefies after trauma, and then calcification and hardening occur as the body attempts to repair the area.<\/p>\n<p>Fat necrosis is one of the leading benign conditions that most closely mimics breast cancer clinically. This is because the palpable mass is quite firm, may have irregular borders, and can sometimes cause skin retraction. In the early stage, there may be bruising around it due to the trauma, and it may be very painful to touch. However, the pain decreases over time, leaving behind only a hard and concerning mass. It is very valuable for diagnosis if the patient can remember the answer to the question, &#8220;Did I receive a blow to that area?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Conditions that may cause fat necrosis are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Seatbelt trauma<\/li>\n<li>Falling<\/li>\n<li>Breast surgery<\/li>\n<li>Needle biopsy<\/li>\n<li>History of radiotherapy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>They may generally shrink and disappear over time without the need for surgical intervention, but a biopsy may be required to clarify the diagnosis when the firmness persists.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Is_Idiopathic_Granulomatous_Mastitis_a_Difficult_Process\"><\/span>Why Is Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis a Difficult Process?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>One of the conditions that challenges both the physician and the patient the most among breast diseases is &#8220;Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis&#8221; (IGM). Although there is no microbial infection, this disease creates a painful, red, and large mass in the breast as though a very serious infection were present. It is similar to a sterile inflammatory reaction developed by the body against its own breast tissue. It generally occurs in young women who have given birth, within a few years after breastfeeding has ended.<\/p>\n<p>The greatest difficulty of IGM is that its clinical appearance is remarkably similar to &#8220;Inflammatory Breast Cancer.&#8221; The patient presents with breast firmness, pain, skin changes, and swelling in the axillary lymph nodes. It does not respond to standard antibiotic treatments at all. Over time, the masses may open onto the skin and form draining wounds, known as sinuses.<\/p>\n<p>Findings seen during the course of this disease are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Large painful mass<\/li>\n<li>Skin ulceration<\/li>\n<li>Chronic discharge<\/li>\n<li>Abscess formation<\/li>\n<li>Nipple retraction<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A definitive diagnosis can only be made with a core needle biopsy taken from the suspicious area. Corticosteroid treatment or surgical options are evaluated, but long-term follow-up is required because there is a possibility of recurrence.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In_Which_Situations_Can_a_Painful_Mass_When_Pressed_Be_a_Sign_of_Cancer\"><\/span>In Which Situations Can a Painful Mass When Pressed Be a Sign of Cancer?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There is a very widespread belief in society that &#8220;Cancer does not cause pain, so do not be afraid if it hurts.&#8221; Although this information is generally true, unfortunately it is not always valid and may lead to dangerous complacency. Classic breast cancers generally begin as painless, hard, and immobile masses. However, pain may be felt when the tumor tissue grows large enough to place pressure on the surrounding nerves or causes inflammation around itself.<\/p>\n<p>More importantly, a rare but extremely aggressive type of cancer called &#8220;Inflammatory Breast Carcinoma&#8221; directly presents with pain, edema, and redness. In this condition, there may not be a distinct palpable lump; instead, the entire breast tissue may become firm, heavy, and painful. The breast skin develops an orange-peel appearance. Therefore, it is vitally important that painful breast conditions are not dismissed as &#8220;it is probably an infection&#8221; or &#8220;it is just a milk gland.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Warning signs that require attention are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Orange-peel appearance<\/li>\n<li>Nipple retraction<\/li>\n<li>Bloody nipple discharge<\/li>\n<li>Axillary swelling<\/li>\n<li>Non-healing skin wounds<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In addition, a condition called &#8220;Paget&#8217;s Disease,&#8221; which is accompanied by itchy and painful eczema-like sores on the nipple, may also be a sign of an underlying cancer.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Is_the_Mass_Evaluated_During_a_Doctors_Examination\"><\/span>How Is the Mass Evaluated During a Doctor&#8217;s Examination?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When you consult a general surgery specialist, the process begins with taking a detailed medical history. The time when the pain began, its relationship with the menstrual cycle, history of trauma, and breast diseases in the family are questioned. This is followed by a physical examination, which is the cornerstone of diagnosis.<\/p>\n<p>During the examination, your doctor first observes the breasts. Breast symmetry, whether there is nipple retraction, and the presence of redness or edema on the skin are evaluated. During palpation, the breast tissue is scanned by gently compressing it against the chest wall using the sensitive pads of the fingertips.<\/p>\n<p>The characteristics checked by the doctor during the examination are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Degree of firmness of the mass<\/li>\n<li>Clarity of the borders<\/li>\n<li>Relationship with the skin<\/li>\n<li>Mobility<\/li>\n<li>Presence of lymph nodes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If a mass moves very easily under the hand, has clear borders, and is soft, it is more likely to be benign. However, if it is fixed in place, has indistinct borders, and is as hard as a stone, this requires more detailed examination.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_Radiological_Tests_Are_Required_for_Diagnosis\"><\/span>Which Radiological Tests Are Required for Diagnosis?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>After the physical examination, radiological imaging is essential to confirm the findings and visualize the internal structure of the mass. The patient&#8217;s age is the most decisive factor when determining which imaging study should be performed. Since the density of breast tissue changes with age, a different approach is applied to each age group.<\/p>\n<p>In young women under the age of 40, breast tissue is quite dense, with a greater amount of glandular tissue. This density makes it difficult to see details on mammography and creates an image similar to a &#8220;snowstorm.&#8221; Therefore, ultrasonography is the first choice in young patients. Ultrasound works by using sound waves and does not involve radiation. Its most important feature is that it can perfectly distinguish whether the inside of the mass is filled with fluid, meaning a cyst, or consists of solid tissue.<\/p>\n<p>In women aged 40 and over, breast tissue gradually becomes replaced by fatty tissue and becomes more transparent. Since the risk of breast cancer increases in this age group, the gold standard is Mammography. Mammography can show microscopic calcifications that may form before masses become palpable.<\/p>\n<p>The imaging methods used are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Breast Ultrasonography<\/li>\n<li>Digital Mammography<\/li>\n<li>Breast MRI<\/li>\n<li>Tomosynthesis<\/li>\n<li>Color Doppler Ultrasonography<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If the clinical suspicion is very strong or the patient is in a high-risk group, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) may be requested when other methods are insufficient. MRI provides the most sensitive screening by showing increased vascularity in the breast.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Is_a_Needle_Biopsy_Performed_and_Does_It_Hurt\"><\/span>How Is a Needle Biopsy Performed and Does It Hurt?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If a suspicious appearance is detected as a result of radiological examination, classified as BI-RADS 4 or 5, or if the mass grows very rapidly even though it appears benign, a tissue sample must be taken for a definitive diagnosis, meaning a biopsy must be performed. The word biopsy generally frightens patients, but today these procedures are performed without surgery using very practical methods.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike in the past, taking the patient to the operating room and removing the entire mass for diagnosis is no longer the preferred method. Instead, ultrasound-guided needle biopsies are the gold standard. Before the procedure, the area where the mass is located is completely numbed with local anesthesia, so the patient does not feel pain during the procedure.<\/p>\n<p>The biopsy methods used are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fine-Needle Aspiration<\/li>\n<li>Tru-cut biopsy<\/li>\n<li>Vacuum-assisted biopsy<\/li>\n<li>Excisional biopsy<\/li>\n<li>Wire localization<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The most commonly used method is the &#8220;Tru-cut,&#8221; or core needle biopsy. Thin strips of tissue are taken from the mass using a special biopsy gun system. This procedure takes only a few minutes, does not require stitches, and the patient can immediately return to daily life. The samples obtained are examined under a microscope by pathologists, allowing the exact diagnosis of the mass to be established with 100% accuracy. Remember, undergoing a biopsy does not mean that the mass is cancerous; it is performed only to clarify the diagnosis.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_the_Treatment_Options_and_Surgical_Approaches\"><\/span>What Are the Treatment Options and Surgical Approaches?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The vast majority of patients diagnosed with a &#8220;painful mass when pressed&#8221; do not require surgery. The treatment plan is shaped entirely according to what the mass is and how much discomfort it causes the patient. If the mass is a simple cyst and does not cause pain, nothing needs to be done, and follow-up alone is sufficient. In painful cysts, drainage with a needle provides immediate relief.<\/p>\n<p>In cases of infection and abscess, the priority is antibiotic treatment and abscess drainage. Once the inflammation is cleared, the mass generally disappears. In benign solid masses such as fibroadenomas, the decision is based on size and growth rate. If the mass is smaller than 2-3 cm and remains stable, surgery is not required.<\/p>\n<p>Situations in which surgical intervention is necessary are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Suspicion of malignancy<\/li>\n<li>Rapidly growing masses<\/li>\n<li>Cosmetic deformity<\/li>\n<li>Severe pain<\/li>\n<li>High-risk lesions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If a malignant condition, meaning cancer, is detected, the current surgical approach favors &#8220;breast-conserving surgery.&#8221; In other words, instead of removing the entire breast through mastectomy, only the tumor-containing area is removed together with a margin of healthy tissue through lumpectomy. In this way, the disease is treated while preserving the patient&#8217;s bodily integrity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The primary cause of painful breast masses when pressed is often dilation of the breast ducts, known as cysts, and fibrocystic tissue tension associated with the hormonal cycle. This painful tenderness occurs when increased fluid pressure within the tissue strains Cooper&#8217;s ligaments and mechanically stimulates the nerve endings. In addition to cysts, infections such as [&#8230;]\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3191,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3249","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breast-cancer"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3249","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3249"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3249\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3262,"href":"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3249\/revisions\/3262"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3191"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3249"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3249"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ebruayvazoglu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3249"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}