Is the hard and painful lump with a watery flow near the breast normal?

Question

Hi doctor,

My mother-in-law is 68 years old and has a lump in the right breast, and in the last few weeks, she was having severe pain too. She also feels one more near the underarm. She also says the lump is hard and painful when touched. Sometimes she has a watery flow from that breast. She is active otherwise and eats healthy too. She has diabetes and takes medications twice daily. Should I take her for a check-up, or is it a normal lump? Please do guide me.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I thoroughly read your query and understand your concern.

It is important for your mother-in-law to see the doctor as soon as possible to get a proper evaluation of the lump in her breast, especially given the severity of her pain and the presence of a lump under her arm. While some breast lumps can be benign (non-cancerous), it is important to rule out the possibility of breast cancer or other serious conditions. Here are some things that the doctor may do to diagnose her condition:

Physical exam: The healthcare provider will perform a physical exam of the breast and may also check the lymph nodes under the arm.
Imaging studies: Imaging studies such as a mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to get a better look at the lump.
Biopsy: If the imaging studies show a suspicious mass, a biopsy may be necessary to determine if the lump is cancerous.

Given that your mother-in-law has diabetes and is experiencing severe pain and watery discharge, it is important to seek medical attention promptly. Diabetes can affect the healing process and increase the risk of infection, so prompt medical attention is essential. Please encourage her to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

Hope this has answered your query.

Kind regards.

Is the hard and painful lump with a watery flow near the breast normal?

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