Non-cancerous conditions of the breast
A non-cancerous (benign) condition of the breast is a change to breast cells, but it is not cancer. Non-cancerous conditions do not spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body and are not usually life-threatening.
The most common non-cancerous conditions of the breast are:
- atypical hyperplasia
- breast pain (called mastalgia)
- breast cysts
- fibrocystic breasts
- nipple discharge
Other non-cancerous conditions that affect the breast include:
- adenosis
- breast infection (called mastitis)
- fat necrosis
- gynecomastia (breast enlargement in men)
- mammary duct ectasia
- radial scars