Skin Growths on the Breast: Causes and Treatment Options

Q: Skin Growths on the Breast: Causes and Treatment Options

Hello Hua Hua： Regarding the lesion on your left breast, measuring 0.8 to 1 cm in the skin's surface, which is red, slightly raised, painless, and feels like a round lump when pinched, you have used a topical anti-inflammatory ointment for 9 days without improvement, and oral ant

A lesion has developed on the surface of the skin of the left breast?

Director: Hello! I have a growth on the surface of the skin of my left breast.
The dermatologist said it might be folliculitis or a boil.
I have many sebaceous cysts on my body, but this particular growth is different from my multiple sebaceous cysts.
I discovered this growth on my breast 11 days ago.
It is approximately 0.8 to 1 cm in diameter, appears red and slightly raised, resembling a mosquito or flea bite, with a more prominent pore in the center.
It is not painful or itchy, and feels round when pinched.
I have applied a tetracycline hydrochloride eye ointment for 9 days with little effect.
Now, I have switched to another dermatology clinic, and the doctor has prescribed a three-day course of antibiotics for me to try.
Currently, I do not see any difference.
My questions are: 1.
Is this unusual growth folliculitis or a sebaceous cyst? If it is folliculitis, will it resolve on its own? How long does it typically take to resolve? Should I go to a major hospital for surgical removal? If surgery is performed, will there be unsightly scars on my breast? Will the skin surface become indented or uneven? 2.
Should I continue applying the eye ointment? Or should I continue taking the antibiotics (the clinic prescribed CEFALEXIN 500 mg capsules and LACTAM TAB 500 mg), four times a day for three days? 3.
I am scheduled for a breast ultrasound next Wednesday.
Will this unusual growth affect the accuracy of the examination? Will it appear as a round image on the scan? Or should I remove this growth before undergoing the ultrasound? I would greatly appreciate your response! Thank you! Huahua

Hua Hua, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2008/05/09

Dr. Lin Kecheng reply Surgery

Hello Hua Hua: Regarding the lesion on your left breast, measuring 0.8 to 1 cm in the skin's surface, which is red, slightly raised, painless, and feels like a round lump when pinched, you have used a topical anti-inflammatory ointment for 9 days without improvement, and oral antibiotics for 3 days also showed no progress.
Here are the responses to your concerns: If it were folliculitis, there would typically be localized redness, swelling, heat, and pain, and it should respond to both topical and oral antibiotics, resolving within a week.
If there is no improvement, it is advisable to discontinue the use of ointments or antibiotics.
It is recommended to accurately diagnose whether it is a sebaceous cyst, which can be assessed with an ultrasound next Wednesday.
This will not only not interfere with the examination but will also allow for a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Whether surgery is necessary and if it will leave a scar depends on the size of the lump, whether there is inflammation, and if there are any adhesions.
Naturally, any surgeon aims for a perfect outcome, especially to avoid scarring, particularly on the breast.
This information is provided for your reference.
Wishing you a smooth medical consultation.

Reply Date: 2008/05/09

More Info

Hello Hua Hua,
Thank you for your detailed inquiry regarding the skin growth on your breast. Based on your description, it seems you are dealing with a skin lesion that has raised concerns about its nature and potential treatment options. Let’s break down your questions and address them systematically.

1. Nature of the Growth: From your description, the growth appears to be a red, slightly raised lesion with a prominent pore, which could suggest a few possibilities, including folliculitis (inflammation of hair follicles), a sebaceous cyst (also known as a pilar cyst), or even a benign skin tumor. Given that it is not painful or itchy, it leans more towards a benign condition. Folliculitis can sometimes resolve on its own, especially if it is mild. However, if it persists or worsens, further evaluation is warranted.

2. Treatment Options: Since you have been using an antibiotic ointment (tetracycline) for nine days without improvement, and you have now been prescribed oral antibiotics, it is essential to monitor your response to this treatment. If the lesion does not show signs of improvement after completing the antibiotic course, it may be necessary to consider other options. Surgical removal may be indicated if the lesion is bothersome, recurrent, or if there is any suspicion of a more serious condition.
Regarding your concerns about scarring: surgical excision can leave a scar, but the extent of scarring depends on various factors, including the technique used, your skin type, and how well you heal. A skilled surgeon will aim to minimize scarring and can discuss options for scar management post-surgery.

3. Continuing Treatment: It is advisable to follow your dermatologist's recommendations regarding the use of topical ointments and oral antibiotics. If you notice any adverse reactions or if the lesion worsens, you should contact your healthcare provider promptly.

4. Impact on Ultrasound: As for your upcoming breast ultrasound, the presence of the lesion may or may not affect the imaging results. Typically, benign skin lesions do not interfere significantly with breast ultrasound, but they may appear as a distinct structure on the imaging. It is generally acceptable to proceed with the ultrasound as scheduled. However, if you are particularly concerned, you could discuss the timing of the ultrasound with your healthcare provider to see if it would be beneficial to address the lesion first.

5. Follow-Up: After your ultrasound, it would be prudent to have a follow-up appointment with your dermatologist or a breast specialist to discuss the findings and any further steps needed based on the ultrasound results.

In summary, while the growth you are experiencing may be benign, it is essential to continue monitoring it and to follow up with your healthcare providers as necessary. If you have any further questions or if your symptoms change, do not hesitate to seek medical advice. Your health and peace of mind are paramount.

Wishing you all the best for your upcoming ultrasound and a speedy resolution to your concerns.

Best regards.

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