Swelling of the chest

introduction

Breast swelling can have different causes and take different forms. In general, swelling (Latin: "tumor") an increase in the volume of tissue, which can usually be perceived as a tactile or visible enlargement and change in shape of the original state. A swelling of the breast is characterized by an increase in the volume of the breast on one or both sides. The swelling can be sharply defined, for example as a lump, palpable or spread more diffusely in the tissue so that the entire breast appears swollen. As a classic sign of inflammation, breast swelling can also be accompanied by reddening, overheating or pain in the swollen area.

root cause

The causes of breast swelling can be very different and based on different diseases or circumstances. There is no general cause for breast swelling. The cause can then be determined by looking at various examinations, accompanying symptoms and information provided by the patient. The following section explains the most common causes of breast swelling:

Mastitis (inflammation of the breast)

Mastitis is a benign inflammation of the female breast that can occur both during and outside of breastfeeding. Due to various causes, such as milk congestion, a bacterial infection or a skin injury, inflammation of the glandular tissue occurs, which is accompanied by reddening, swelling and overheating of the chest and often also with fever. A breast abscess, which is extremely painful, can develop as a complication.

Please also read:

• mastitis
• Non-puerperal mastitis

Mastopathy

Mastopathy is a benign tissue change in the breast that is due to hormonal fluctuations. The tissue of the breast feels lumpy and, depending on the extent of the mastopathy, may appear swollen. Up to 50% of all women are affected by mastopathy at least once in their life. Cycle-dependent pain, which usually occurs immediately before the period, is typical.
Please also read our article on this Mastopathy.

Other benign breast tumors

Breast swelling may be due to tumorous changes in the breast. These include, for example, cysts, fibroadenomas, papillomas or hamartomas. In contrast to cancer, these are benign changes in the tissue. The swelling can often be felt as a lump. Breast swellings are also quite normal and natural in the context of breast growth and breast differentiation during puberty.
The most common benign breast tumor is the so-called fibroadenoma.
Read our articles on this Cysts in the chest and Fibroadenoma.

Breast swelling after surgery

After an operation on the breast, regardless of the reason, swelling of the surgical area is very common and to some extent normal. This decreases after a few days, depending on the extent of the intervention. If wound healing is impaired or if a bacterial infection of the wound occurs as a complication, the swelling can persist for longer.

Swelling of the chest after an injury

Chest injuries or bumps can cause bruising, which in turn causes swelling and chest pain. The chest is very sensitive to pain and injuries there are therefore felt to be very uncomfortable. In the acute situation, it helps to cool the chest well. This can counteract the development of breast swelling.

pregnancy and breast feeding period

Breast swelling is very common during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As part of hormonal adaptation mechanisms, the glandular tissue of the female breast changes during pregnancy. The breast becomes larger and adapts to the upcoming lactation period. Swelling of the breasts is therefore quite normal during breastfeeding. For various reasons, such as a blocked milk, the breast can sometimes be very painful swelling. Consistent, regular breastfeeding helps counter this problem. However, if a real inflammation (mastitis) develops, medical treatment is necessary.
Please also read our article on this Milk congestion.

Malignant tumors

Unfortunately, there are also malignant diseases like breast cancer that can cause breast swelling. Not only women can get breast cancer, but men too. Nodular changes in the chest are often palpable. However, this does not always have to be the case. The lumps usually feel different to lumps in benign diseases. Suspicious nodules are usually blurred.
Please also read our article on this Signs of breast cancer.

Swollen chest while breastfeeding

Breast swelling is natural when breastfeeding. The female breast adapts to the upcoming lactation period during pregnancy and then produces breast milk, which explains the swelling and increase in breast volume.
Massages as well as regular breastfeeding and cooling compresses help to completely empty the breast and thus prevent milk congestion. For various reasons, however, breastfeeding can also lead to a so-called Puerperal mastitis come, which is associated with pain, redness, induration and overheating. This is an inflammation of the breast that usually occurs 2-4 weeks after birth and is usually unilateral. Fever is also rare.
The causes of breast infections during breastfeeding are different. Inefficient or irregular emptying of the breast can lead to congestion, but this does not always have to be accompanied by an impairment of the general condition. In these cases it is usually sufficient to lay the child on regularly and to rub the breast. Weaning is not considered useful and is very rarely necessary.
Stress and restlessness can also cause breast inflammation, as this affects the mother's milk ejection reflex, which is very important for breastfeeding.
Ultimately, bacteria can enter the mammary glands through small injuries to the nipple and cause inflammation there.
Before breastfeeding, the breast should be warmed in case of breast inflammation, after breastfeeding cooling quark compresses help. In addition, pain reliever drugs such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are used to relieve symptoms.
In the case of bacterial mastitis, antibiotics such as cephalosporins or penicillins can be used.
Read our articles on this Medication during breastfeeding and Painkillers while breastfeeding.

Breast swelling from the pill

The pill is a very popular hormonal contraceptive that is used by women all over the world. A distinction is made between pills, depending on which hormones they contain. There are tablets that contain progestogens as well as estrogens and progestin-only preparations.
Estrogens can be a side effect Mastopathy and cause breast swelling. The hormonal influence on the breast leads to remodeling processes in the tissue that are not dangerous, but depending on the extent, can be perceived as very annoying by some women. In these cases, the problem should be discussed with the attending gynecologist. If necessary, they can suggest a different preparation or even a different method of contraception.
Please also read our article on this Side effects of the pill.

diagnosis

In most cases, the diagnosis of breast swelling is made by the gynecologist. The accompanying symptoms, such as fever, pain, redness or the like, as well as the type of swelling, are important for narrowing down the causes. In this way, it is often, but not always, possible to differentiate between inflammatory and non-inflammatory causes. As part of the physical exam, the breast is palpated and inspected. Important factors such as taking the pill or other hormone preparations, previous illnesses, pregnancies and other things are asked about in the patient consultation.
In addition, imaging examinations such as ultrasound, mammography or MRT are used for further diagnostics. In the case of a tumor, a tissue sample is taken in order to determine the type of tumor and to initiate an individually tailored therapy.
Read our articles on this Mammography and MRI of the chest.

Symptoms

Depending on the underlying cause, breast swelling can be accompanied by different symptoms. A swelling of the breast caused by a breast infection (Mastitis) occurs, is usually accompanied by pain, overheating and reddening of the affected breast and occasionally also by fever.
A Mastopathy however, typically manifests itself as chest pain that occurs just before your period. In the case of pronounced mastopathy, one also speaks of a shotgun breast, as nodular hardening can be felt throughout the breast. Discharge from the nipple is also very typical.
Other benign breast tumors usually show no accompanying symptoms besides pain.
Malignant breast tumors, on the other hand, can manifest themselves through various accompanying symptoms that occur in advanced stages of cancer. In addition to chest pain and sometimes bloody discharge from the nipples, this also includes symptoms caused by metastases. These can be bone pain, breathing difficulties or even stomach pain, for example. On the breasts, there are partial skin retractions, asymmetries of the breasts, orange peel or local swelling of the lymph nodes. Typical symptoms of many cancers are fever, night sweats, and weight loss.

therapy

In order to initiate therapy, the cause of the breast swelling must first be known. In addition, not every swelling has to be treated.
A breast infection (mastitis) usually requires therapy with antibiotics and cooling compresses, whereas a real breast abscess must be surgically opened and emptied.
Swelling in the context of mastopathy is treated differently depending on its severity. Simple mastopathies can be treated with gels and ointments that contain progestins. Also other drugs like Antiestrogens and Prolactin inhibitors are used here.
A growing mastopathy, on the other hand, must be monitored very closely as there is a risk of developing breast cancer. In some cases, samples are taken from the breast to rule out breast cancer.
The therapy of breast cancer is very complex and includes operations as well as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which are individually adapted to the patient.
Please also read our article on this Breast cancer therapy.

Duration

The duration of breast swelling depends on the underlying cause and what therapeutic measures are taken against it. Swelling caused by hormonal fluctuations, such as those that occur in mastopathy, can last for years, with or without interruptions.
Even benign tumors often accompany people for many years if they do not have to be removed.
Inflammation, however, like that mastitis, are treated quickly and should heal after a few weeks.
A slight swelling of the breast is quite natural during breastfeeding, which lasts for several months. This normalizes on its own after the breastfeeding period over several months.

Unilateral swelling of the chest

One-sided swelling can have various causes, which can be differentiated from one another based on the accompanying symptoms and other factors. Both inflammatory and non-inflammatory swellings very often affect only one breast.
Examples of this are breast infections, mastopathy, injuries, benign and malignant breast tumors and abscesses.
In fact, a bilateral occurrence of these diseases or conditions is even rather unlikely. In the case of bilateral breast swelling, other causes than those just mentioned are usually to be considered.

Breast swelling before your period

Breast swelling and tightness just before your period is a common problem for many women. The chest feels tender and pain is not uncommon. The reason for this is very simple: hormones.
The female cycle is characterized by hormonal increases in the body that serve important functions of female sexuality and fertility. Immediately before your period, your estrogen level is increased. This affects the breast and can cause slight swelling and typical premenstrual pain, similar to hormonal contraceptives.
This is not the case for every woman, but many women report such cycle-dependent symptoms. In some cases, although it may sound like a contradiction in terms, hormonal contraceptives can help with the symptoms by stabilizing the cycle. Often, however, it is enough to cool the chest a little and so relieve the symptoms.
Please also read our article on this Pain during menstruation.

Breast swelling after ovulation

Ovulation happens on the 14th day of the female cycle and is caused by the so-called LH peak caused. This high level of the hormone LH (luteinizing hormone) is caused by an increase in the level of estrogen. During this time, many women complain of a swollen and tense breast, which is sometimes very sensitive to touch and pain. During ovulation, the so-called middle pain can also be felt, which is a pulling abdominal pain.
Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done about breast swelling. Hormonal contraceptives such as the pill help some women, as this stabilizes their cycle. However, this does not have to be the case. Cooling compresses and some exercise are the best ways to get around the days of breast swelling in your cycle.
Read more about Therma under Woman's hormones.

Swelling of the chest in men

Men and boys can also suffer from breast swelling, although this is less common than in women. There are several causes of breast swelling in men and boys. The most important causes are briefly summarized here:

Real gynecomastia

The Gynecomastia is an increase in the mammary glands in men. It is usually not an independent disease, but the result of a hormonal disorder.
Causes are, for example, cirrhosis of the liver, kidney failure, malignant testicular tumors, a lack of male hormones (Androgens) or a drug side effect. However, often no cause is found either.
Please also read our article on this Gynecomastia - Benign enlargement of the male breast.

False gynecomastia

False gynecomastia is when fat deposits in the breast lead to an enlargement. This is the case with very overweight.

Breast cancer

Men can also develop breast cancer, although this is rarely the case. As in women, breast cancer can manifest itself as nodular changes in the breast.
Please also read our article on this How do you recognize breast cancer in men?

Breast swelling in men during puberty

During puberty, temporary enlargements of the breasts occur very often due to hormonal fluctuations, which often (but not always) regress.

Swelling of the breast in the newborn

Many new parents notice a swelling of the breast in their newborn in the first days of life and are concerned about it. The swelling of the child's breast, similar to the swelling of the maternal breast during pregnancy, is due to hormonal causes. In the course of the first three weeks of life, however, the swelling goes away by itself and does not have any consequences. It is not painful for the child and does not require any therapy.
In some cases, a yellowish secretion emerges from the newborn's nipple that resembles the breast milk from the first days of breastfeeding. This also as Witch milk The designated liquid should never be expressed. It is also due to hormonal causes. To protect the swollen chest a little, it is advisable to cover it with some cotton wool. The cotton wool should be changed several times a day for reasons of hygiene.
If symptoms such as fever, high-pitched screaming, restlessness, or even nausea and vomiting occur, it could be real inflammation of the chest (mastitis) act. However, this is very rare. In this case, a pediatrician should be consulted immediately.