Dear Doctor
Hello, I have a skin growth or something on the top of my breast. It is painless and no fluid inside but it is slightly raised. It has not changed in size. About the size of the surface of a finger nail. I have tried many different creams to remove it. But nothing has worked. Been there for 4-5 months. Help!
Dear Patient
Your picture is not clear enough for me to give you a definitive diagnosis as to the cause of the skin growth on your breast. I, therefore, recommend that you visit your nearest dermatologist so that they can assess whether it is fixed to the underlying structures in the breast and if the glands in your armpits are enlarged.
Breast Skin Lesion Treatment
The treatment of skin lesions on the breast depends on their cause. These causes of breast skin lesions include:
Moles
Moles can develop on the skin over the breast. These are assessed using the ABCDE criteria which differentiates benign (noncancerous) moles from malignant melanomas (a type of skin cancer):
A Asymmetrical shape which means that one half of the lesion does not match the other half
B Border irregularity which means it is irregular, blurred, notched or scalloped
C Color variation which means that the lesion has different shades of brown, black, red, pink and even blue.
D Diameter more than 6 mm or 1¼ inch.
E Evolving lesion which is changing in size, color or shape or becoming itchy, painful, scaly, crusting or ulcerating
If a mole does not have these signs it does not require any treatment.
Warts
Warts can develop on the skin over the breast. They are treated by applying medications like Duofilm Wart Removal Paint.
Neurofibromas
Neurofibromas can develop on the skin over the breast. There is no treatment for neurofibromatosis but the skin swellings can be removed surgically if they are problematic.
Sebaceous Cysts
Sebaceous cysts can develop on the skin over the breast. These are treated by removing them surgically.
Epidermal Cysts
Epidermal cysts can develop on the skin over the breast. These are treated by surgical excision.
Hemangiomas
Hemangiomas can develop on the skin over the breast. These growths of blood vessels which are not cancerous, can disappear on their own without treatment or be treated with lasers or with medications like glucocorticoids which can be applied on the lesion or injected into it.
Paget’s Disease
Paget’s disease presents as an eczematous lesion around the breast areola (nipple) that does not respond to eczema treatment. It is actually a cancer of the breast ducts that spreads outwards to involve the skin. The treatment of Paget’s disease of the breast includes surgery and radiotherapy.
Breast Cancers
Breast cancers can infiltrate the skin and cause lumps on the skin over the breast. These may be associated with other signs of breast cancer like skin edema and retraction. The treatment of breast cancer depends on its stage and includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Skin Cancers
Skin cancers can develop on the skin over the breast and they include;
Basal cell cancer – this usually develops on skin that is exposed to the sun though it can occur on any part of the body. It begins as a roundish area of skin thickening which enlarges very slowly and develops a raised border and a shiny appearance. It later becomes irregular and can ulcerate and erode into the underlying tissues. The treatment of depends on the stage and includes surgical excision and chemotherapy.
Squamous cell carcinoma – usually develops on skin that has been exposed to the sun for many years. It presents as a dry, scaly area which may have superficial blood vessels. It spreads from the edges as the centers may atrophy or ulcerate. The treatment of depends on the stage and includes surgical excision and chemotherapy.
Malignant melanoma – usually develops on skin that has been exposed to sunlight for years though it can develop on any part of the body. The lesions are usually dark brown or black with an irregular outline. The treatment of depends on the stage and includes surgical excision and chemotherapy.
Kaposi sarcoma – presents as red nodules which do not blanch. The treatment is chemotherapy.
