Female breasts are extremely vulnerable. Any pathological changes that occur in the body affect its condition. Hormonal imbalance, improper placement of a child with HS, injuries and plastic surgery - all this can cause diseases of the mammary glands. One of these is oleogranuloma. Hearing a similar diagnosis, many women equate it with cancer. Is it really?
Breast oleogranuloma - what is it?
This is a small nodular neoplasm that forms as a reaction to damage to the gland tissue. Under the influence of traumatic factors, fat cells are necrotic at first, and then cause an inflammatory process. As a result, connective tissue develops in the affected area.
Inside the oleogranuloma, a fluid cyst may occur. This is a formation of benign etiology, which may be calcified. It consists of adipose tissue and has dense walls. Such cysts form without an obvious cause or after an intervention on the gland, trauma. If the pathology is accompanied by a painful syndrome, it is first punctured, and then the contents are removed.
By its symptoms, oleogranuloma is similar to breast cancer. However, it does not harm health, and over time can disappear on its own. To establish an accurate diagnosis, the doctor prescribes an examination, an important part of which is a biopsy.
Main reasons
The main causes of breast oleogranulomas are radiation, surgery, or trauma. As a result of these factors, there is a violation of the blood supply to the lobules of the gland. At first they experience oxygen deficiency, and after some time they die. The body releases specific enzymes that contribute to the destruction of dead elements. As a result, inflammation occurs. Scar tissue develops at the site of the lesion. Fat is released from dead cells, which subsequently fills the cystic cavity. The result of the processes is the appearance of oleogranuloma.
The likelihood of its development increases several times after the following procedures:
- mastectomy;
- lumpectomy;
- biopsy;
- breast plastic;
- implant removal.
Most often, women have to face the problem with magnificent forms. For example, they may have oleogranuloma of the postoperative scar of the breast after a mastectomy. This condition is not dangerous to health.
Clinical picture
Pathology does not have specific symptoms. At the initial stage, its only manifestation is a small nodule. It has a dense texture, is well palpable under the skin of the chest. The nodule is characterized by a rounded shape and painlessness on palpation. Its diameter is not more than 2 cm.
As the pathological process develops, the skin begins to retract over the affected area, acquires a reddish tint. Perhaps the appearance of soreness, fever. The last symptom usually indicates the development of local inflammation, which is characteristic of a malignant disease. In the absence of therapy, the likelihood of purulent discharge, a breakthrough of the neoplasm through a fistula or a purulent necrotic ulcer increases. Axillary lymph nodes are usually enlarged.
Varieties of Oleogranulomas
Depending on the cause of the pathology, it can be of several types:
- Injection Occurs at the site of plastic surgery performed using unsuitable or low-quality materials (liquid paraffin, paraffin).
- Post-traumatic. It is a consequence of the received blows, falls, squeezing.
- Inflammatory. A neoplasm is formed next to the inflammatory focus, surrounding it.
- Spontaneous. It occurs for no apparent reason or with minor infections, chest injuries.
However, regardless of the type and root cause of the oleogranuloma of the mammary gland, it cannot be ignored.
Diagnostic Methods
Quite often, a woman herself discovers a small nodule in the chest area. To clarify the diagnosis, you need to contact a mammologist who will prescribe a mammogram and ultrasound of the gland. In order to exclude the oncological process, a biopsy is mandatory.
On mammography, the neoplasm has a rounded shape. It is surrounded by a thin capsule, which allows you to differentiate it with a cancerous tumor. On ultrasound, breast oleogranuloma is defined as a focus with increased echogenicity, uncharacteristic of oncology. Cysts can be visualized inside.
MRI and CT are not prescribed. These types of studies do not differ with this pathology for high information content, but are expensive.
Treatment features
In most cases, specific treatment for breast oleogranuloma is not required. The neoplasm passes independently. After consulting a doctor and with severe pain, you can take pain medication (for example, "Ibuprofen"), make a massage. Therapy with folk remedies is carried out to stop the symptoms. Compresses with cabbage leaf and onion gruel are used.
Removal of oleogranuloma is recommended for its large sizes, increased anxiety on the part of the patient. During the operation, the doctor excises a tissue site with a pathological node. Such a treatment may be accompanied by a puncture biopsy if a cyst is present inside the neoplasm. After emptying, it subsides, and the oleogranuloma of the mammary gland decreases in size.
Surgical intervention
In preparation for the operation, the doctor prescribes the delivery of the following tests:
- blood for coagulation index, tumor markers;
- determination of the group and Rh factor;
- for the detection of syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B and C;
- general and blood biochemistry.
It is also necessary to undergo fluorography and ECG.
Surgery involves breast resection. Removal of lymph nodes is not carried out. The operation is performed using local anesthesia.
Preliminarily, according to the results of ultrasound, the doctor makes a markup to accurately identify the focus of the pathology. An incision is made above the seal in the form of an elongated oval. Then remove one or more lobules of the mammary gland. Oleogranuloma is excised along with healthy tissues. The resulting material is sent to the laboratory for histological examination and exclusion of the malignant process.
Vessels coagulate to prevent bleeding. The doctor imposes several sutures on the gland tissue and skin, installs a drainage tube for 2-3 days.
The whole operation lasts no more than half an hour. After it, a woman is recommended to remain in the hospital for several more days. In the postoperative period, she is prescribed painkillers and antibacterial agents. Sutures are removed after 7 days.
Recovery period
The course of recovery measures involves the use of medications (anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, immunomodulators), physiotherapy to accelerate the healing process. The drugs and their dosage are prescribed by the doctor, taking into account the patient's state of health.
To prevent the development of complications after surgery for breast oleogranuloma, it is enough to adhere to the recommendations below:
- Timely and correctly handle postoperative sutures.
- Wear compression garments (such as a special supportive top).
- Refuse to visit the bath, sauna, pool.
- Avoid physical exertion, sunbathing, weight lifting.
Oleogranuloma responds well to therapy. In the process of its removal usually there are no difficulties. In rare cases, the doctor refuses surgical intervention in favor of x-ray therapy or the appointment of hormonal drugs.
Possible complications
After surgical intervention, the appearance of complications is not excluded. Among them, the most common are:
- purulent discharge from the wound if an infection has entered the body;
- bloody subcutaneous hematomas (occur in case of poor blood coagulation).
Within a few days after the intervention, many women report an increase in temperature, pain. As a rule, they do not require medical assistance, but pass on their own within 2-3 days.
Prognosis for recovery
In most women, oleogranuloma disappears without the use of medical or surgical treatment. If the tumor progresses, surgery is recommended. After such therapy, the risk of breast cancer, relapse does not increase. However, if breast oleogranuloma is not removed, the prognosis for recovery is not always favorable. First of all, we are talking about the development of complications.
Despite the fact that this pathology is harmless, it can not be ignored. If there is a nodular neoplasm in the chest, it is recommended to consult a mammologist for an examination and differential diagnosis. This is especially necessary for the intensification of pain, an increase in the size of the pathological focus.
Prevention Methods
In the photo, the oleogranuloma of the mammary gland looks quite unpleasant. To prevent its occurrence, you must adhere to the following rules:
- Try not to get involved in plastic surgery on the chest, implying the introduction of oily substances.
- If you suspect mastitis or lactostasis, you should not delay a visit to the doctor. After confirming the diagnosis, it is important to adhere to the prescribed treatment regimen.
- You should protect your chest from injuries and bumps.
- Constantly monitor the hormonal background, and if necessary, adjust it with drugs.
- Twice a year it is recommended to visit a mammologist as a preventive measure.
If nodules are found in the chest area, do not self-medicate or ignore their appearance.