What is breast Galactocele?
What is breast Galactocele?
Galactoceles, also known as lactocoeles, are benign breast lesions commonly seen in young lactating women. They mostly occur after the cessation of lactation, when milk may be retained, becoming ‘stagnant’ and causing blockage of the ducts.
Where are Galactocele located?
A galactocele (also called lacteal cyst or milk cyst) is a retention cyst containing milk or a milky substance that is usually located in the mammary glands. They can occur in women during or shortly after lactation. They present as a firm mass, often subareolar, and are caused by the obstruction of a lactiferous duct.
What does a Galactocele look like on ultrasound?
But generally speaking, galactoceles appear on a sonogram as small, round hypoechoic nodules. Usually, they have well-defined margins with thin, echogenic walls, but on occasions, they present with indistinct or microlobulated margins. Additionally, there is often mild posterior shadowing (distal acoustic enhancement).
What does a lactating adenoma feel like?
A lactating adenoma may present as a breast lump that feels either rubbery or firm. Often they will have a yellow to tan-color with a lobulated cut surface. A lactating adenoma often presents as a palpable mass that grows quickly and so may be large in size.
Can galactocele go away?
Your doctor may take a sample of the contents of the cyst, or order an ultrasound to confirm that it’s benign. Galactoceles usually go away on their own when you stop breastfeeding.
Is a galactocele painful?
They may or may not be painful, and they often change size (sometimes filling up, sometimes getting smaller). The pain is caused by the surrounding tissue being stretched. One difference between a galactocele and a clogged duct is that galactoceles are often much larger.
Does galactocele go away?
How is galactocele diagnosed?
Aspiration of milky fluid and resolution of the axillary lump after aspiration confirmed the diagnosis of galactocele. Galactocele can present as a suspicious tumoral lesion in the axillary accessory breast and diagnostic aspiration can help in correct diagnosis of this rare lesion in the accessory breast.
How does a galactocele feel?
A galactocele is a benign, milk-filled cyst that develops on the breast. This type of cyst may feel smooth or round. It won’t be hard and tender to the touch. It likely won’t be painful, but it may be uncomfortable.
Does a galactocele hurt?
Is a Galactocele painful?
How do fibrocystic breasts feel?
Fibrocystic breast changes lead to the development of fluid-filled round or oval sacs (cysts) and more prominent scar-like (fibrous) tissue, which can make breasts feel tender, lumpy or ropy. Fibrocystic breasts are composed of tissue that feels lumpy or ropelike in texture.
What are the sonographic characteristics of galactocele lesions?
Sonographic characteristics according to one study is as follows 3: Color Doppler interrogation will show a lack of blood flow. In uncertain cases, an aspiration is recommended in the first instance which will classically yield milky fluid 10. They are benign lesions and spontaneous resolution occurs in a vast majority of cases.
How to diagnose A galactocele in breast?
Secondary infection with development of a breast abscess. It is essentially a retention cyst resulting from lactiferous duct occlusion. Diagnosis can be achieved with percutaneous aspiration 8. Biochemical analysis of material aspirated from galactoceles shows a variety of proportions of proteins, fat, and lactose.
Where does the name galactocele come from in medical terms?
A small percentage have a residual collection that may mimic a fibroadenoma or complex cyst. The term galactocele derives from the Greek words galatea meaning milky white and -cele ( -coele) meaning pouch 9. General considerations on imaging include:
How long does it take for A galactocele to form?
Patients usually present with a painless breast lump occurring over weeks to months. The lesion can present as single or multiple nodules and can be unilateral or bilateral. Secondary infection with development of a breast abscess. It is essentially a retention cyst resulting from lactiferous duct occlusion.