Benign breast lumps

Work-up pathway – breast imaging first

A new breast lump is assessed in a breast unit. The work-up is put together individually: clinical examination, supplemented by ultrasound, mammography or both depending on age and findings, and a tissue sample when the imaging or clinical findings call for it. The tissue sample is normally a core needle biopsy, while fine needle aspiration is used selectively, for example for cysts and lymph nodes. These are not three mandatory tests for everyone. Once the work-up is complete and benign, you can be referred to us for the removal.

If breast cancer is suspected

If there is clinical or radiological suspicion of breast cancer, the case belongs in the Danish Health Authority cancer pathway for breast cancer. We do not remove an unresolved lump, but help you quickly to the right department.

What can we remove?

• Fibroadenoma (the most common benign lump in younger women).
• Recurrent or large cysts.
• Intraductal papillomas.
• Fat necrosis.
• Other confirmed benign lumps.

How is the procedure done?

Performed under local anaesthesia through an incision carefully chosen to follow skin tension lines. The lump is removed in full, and it is our clinic procedure to send the tissue for microscopic examination. The procedure takes 30–60 minutes.

After the procedure

• You can go home immediately.
• Wear a supportive bra for 1–2 weeks.
• Avoid strenuous exercise for 1–2 weeks.
• Follow-up after 10–14 days for suture removal and pathology review.

When do we refer to hospital?

Very large lumps, lesions suspicious for cancer, or cases requiring oncoplastic surgery or wire-guided localisation are referred to a breast surgery department at Herlev, Hvidovre or Hillerød (Nordsjællands Hospital).