Cancer Breast Cancer Benign Breast Conditions Print An Overview of Adenosis of the Breast By Pam Stephan Updated September 27, 2019 Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD on August 19, 2019 More in Breast Cancer Benign Breast Conditions Symptoms Causes & Risk Factors Diagnosis Treatment More Subtypes Living With Support & Coping Prevention Hormone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer Metastatic Breast Cancer Triple Negative Breast Cancer HER2 Positive Breast Cancer Survivorship View All In This Article Table of Contents Expand Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Screening View All Back To Top Adenosis is a benign breast condition that occurs in the lobules (milk-producing glands), causing them to become enlarged. There are also more glands than normal. Adenosis may cause a lump, or multiple lumps, that can be felt. If enlarged lobules are also being distorted, or pulled out of shape, by scar-like fibrous tissue, the condition is more specifically referred to as sclerosing adenosis. Adenosis may show up on a mammogram as a mass or calcification (small white calcium deposits), both of which are typically signs of breast cancer. But though some research indicates that adenosis (specifically, the sclerosing type) may offer some increased risk for breast cancer, the condition itself is not cancerous. Adenosis lumps mostly affect premenopausal women and may not necessarily require treatment. Also Known As Adenosis in the breast is also called mammary adenosis, aggregate adenosis, tumoral adenosis, or adenosis tumor. Symptoms Adenosis may not be detectable during a breast self-exam or a clinical breast exam, because it may be small and not near the surface of the skin. Adenosis is more likely to be detected in these ways when it yields several lobules in a group. To the touch, this lumpy area can feel like a cyst, fibroadenoma, or even a tumor. The most general characteristics of adenosis are: Periodic pain and swelling in the breast(s): The pain is either bursting or pulling. Level and frequency may increase with your menstrual cycle. Breast engorgement: This symptom also seems to increase during a women’s menstrual cycle.A benign lump in a single breast: The lump is usually painless and, while typically small, may be felt. It may have a nodular (mass-like) appearance. Sometimes, lumps may occur in both breasts. Adenosis does not change the skin or shape of the breast. It also does not affect lymph nodes, which are usually not enlarged and appear to function normally. Is This Breast Lump Benign or Cancerous? Causes Researchers do not know what exactly causes adenosis. However, researchers speculate that adenosis lumps may be caused by normal hormonal influences and fluctuations, as well as certain gene mutations. More research is needed. Risk factors for adenosis are not understood either. Risk factors for benign breast conditions in general include: Being femaleBeing overweightAlcohol consumptionStarting your menstrual cycle prior to age 12Use of post-menopausal hormone therapyUse of birth control pillsHaving your first child after age 35 or never having a childNot breastfeeding if you have had a childPhysical inactivity While these increase your chance of developing adenosis or another benign breast condition, they do not guarantee that you will. Likewise, you may be diagnosed even if you don't have any (or many) of these risk factors. Diagnosis Given that adenosis can feel similar to other lumps, detecting the condition with a physical exam is usually not enough to confirm a diagnosis—even if the lump is large. If your doctor is concerned about the possibility of breast cancer or another breast problem, they will ask for imaging tests, including a mammogram and ultrasound. Breast adenosis can show up on a mammogram, but because it can be associated with calcifications, it cannot be distinguished from cancer with this test alone. A biopsy is usually the best way confirm a diagnosis of adenosis. To perform the biopsy, you will be given local anesthetic so the doctor can remove of a sample of the lump and send it to a laboratory for testing. Why a Breast Biopsy May Be Done Treatment Because adenosis is a benign condition, no treatment is necessary. If it becomes painful, you might try wearing a bra with good support or taking ibuprofen. For some women, avoiding caffeine in drinks and chocolate reduces swelling and pain. If none of these strategies ease your breast discomfort, talk your doctor about additional ways to manage your pain. Is There a Link Between Caffeine and Breast Cancer? Screening If you are diagnosed with sclerosing adenosis, your doctor will likely recommend a schedule for routine screening for breast cancer, given your increased risk due to your condition. One 2014 large cohort study noted that sclerosing adenosis doubled the risk of breast cancer in women who also had certain risk factors, such as increased age and family history. Moreover, adenosis might be associated with the later development of breast cancer. The researchers also reported that adenosis was found in 28% of benign biopsies as a single feature—without breast cancer. A Word From Verywell Finding a lump (or any change) in your breast can immediately make your mind jump to breast cancer. Learning more about adenosis and other conditions that can mimic breast cancer can help you get a better sense of the possibilities and temper runaway concerns while you wait to see your doctor. What Is Known About the Causes of Breast Cancer Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get honest information, the latest research, and support for you or a loved one with breast cancer right to your inbox. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Cancer Society. Adenosis of the Breast. Updated September 20, 2017. Gity M, Arabkheradmand A, Taheri E, et al. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features of Adenosis in the Breast. J Breast Cancer. 2015 Jun; 18(2): 187–194. doi:10.4048/jbc.2015.18.2.187. Visscher DW, Nassar A, Degnim AC. Sclerosing adenosis and risk of breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2014; 144(1): 205–212. doi:10.1007/s10549-014-2862-5. Worsham MJ, Raju U, Lu M et al. Risk factors for breast cancer from benign breast disease in a diverse population. Breast Cancer Res Treat (2009) 118: 1. doi:10.1007/s10549-008-0198-8. Continue Reading