Breast Abscess

What is a Breast Abscess?

A breast abscess is a pocket of infection in the breast. They can be a complication of mastitis.

Breast infections can be divided into lactational and non-lactational. Non-lactational abscesses are those that occur in a woman who is neither pregnant nor breastfeeding. In most cases, breast abscesses are benign. However, when a non-lactating woman presents with a breast abscess, careful imaging is recommended to ensure the infection is not a sign of malignancy.

Non-lactational breast abscesses can further be divided into the categories of peripheral and areolar.

Peripheral Abscesses: These breast abscesses are similar to infections that occur in other areas of the body and are also managed in a similar way. They may be associated with underlying conditions such as diabetes or skin issues such as acne, hidradenitis, or trauma.

Areolar Abscesses: These abscesses most commonly affect women who smoke, are obese, or those with nipple piercings.

Board-Certified Surgeon

MICHELE LEY, MD, FACS

Dr. Ley, a breast surgical oncologist in Tucson since 2006, delivers compassionate and personalized care to create tailored treatment plans based on the latest research. Specializing in surgical care for breast cancer and high-risk patients, she employs minimally invasive techniques and practices oncoplastic surgery to optimize outcomes.

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What Causes a Breast Abscess?

Breast abscesses may be caused by changes in the ducts located beneath the nipple. Cells may undergo a process called “squamous metaplasia” in which they clog the ducts, resulting in a buildup of debris that becomes infected.

Common symptoms of a breast abscess include:

• Pain
• Tenderness
• Swelling
• Redness
• Drainage of pus

“The level of care is excellent.”

Dr. Ley is extremely good at explaining your breast cancer, treatment options, and everything she is going to do. She is a masterful surgeon and uses plastic techniques to close incisions, leaving minimal scarring. In addition, she is warm, pleasant, and a lovely person. I am so happy that I found her based on a friend’s recommendation. I can’t say enough about her and the practice’s excellent care.

I have no words to express my gratitude for Dr. Ley! I was diagnosed Feb. 2020 and Dr. Ley besides being the best in her field and doing an amazing job on my double mastectomy she was even able to save my nipples. She is also a remarkable human being, patient, kind very clear in explaining everything and making you feel heard and safe in her hands. I 100% recommend her and her very helpful, kind and amazing team! If you have recently been diagnosed this is the team you want to have your back!

When diagnosed with Breast Cancer my daughter, which is a surgical nurse, started searching for a breast surgeon for me. Within a short period of time, she called stating “Mom, Dr Ley is the surgeon for you”! I have not been disappointed & have had nothing but positive experiences with Dr. Ley & her staff. They truly care.

Breast Abscess Treatment

There may be a number of treatment options when it comes to breast abscesses including:

Broad spectrum antibiotics: Antibiotics may be the first treatment option prescribed, as these medications treat the most common organisms involved.

Needle Aspiration: with the help of ultrasound, needle aspiration may be required.  This involves numbing the breast and using a needle to remove most or all of the fluid in the pocket. Aspiration will treat the abscess, while also allowing for a culture of the fluid.

Incision and drainage: In cases where the skin over the abscess is thin, surgical incision and drainage may be required.While this can be done in the office, it can be more comfortable for the patient to have some sedation in the operating room.

Surgery: Surgery may be required in situations where a subareolar abscess recurs or a duct fistula develops.

In some rare cases, breast cancer may present as an abscess. Because of this, your provider will biopsy abscess cavities in certain patients.

Contact Us Today

If you are experiencing signs or symptoms associated with a breast abscess, please do not hesitate to contact Tucson Breast Health Specialists today. A consultation with Dr. Ley in Tucson, AZ is your first step toward treatment.

Breast Abscess FAQs

What are the dangers of breast abscess? If mastitis is left, untreated, it can turn into a breast abscess. Breast abscesses can become severe enough to require hospitalizations, surgery, and IV antibiotics. However, if patients seek care in a timely fashion, most breast abscesses are to be treated with oral antibiotics and needle aspirations in the office. How is breast abscess diagnosed? A breast abscess is diagnosed with ultrasound when the patient has swelling and redness in the breast. At times without ultrasound, it can be indistinguishable from mastitis, which is just an infection of the breast tissues. An abscess is a pocket of infected fluid within the breast. It most often occurs beneath the nipple and areola. How can breast abscess be treated? Abscesses of the breast or treated with needle aspiration, this is putting a needle into the breast under local anesthesia, to withdraw the infected fluid. This procedure can be repeated several times over days or weeks. The patient is always placed on antibiotics as well usually taken by mouth. Can breast abscess recur? Breast abscesses can recur after proper treatment. This recurrence includes patients who continue to smoke, diabetics, and patients who have an abnormal connection between the skin and the breast tissue for example, with a nipple piercing.

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