Q: My child has a breast lump that isn't going away with antibiotics. Will removing it affect their growth?
Medically reviewed by Sang Hyun Ahn, MD
Content edited by Myeongchan Kim, MD
This post is a dramatization of a question and answer session experienced by our actual medical reviewers. Please note that this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.
Question:
My child has had a lump on their chest. We visited a dermatology clinic, and after 9 days of antibiotics, it shrank but the lump is still there. The doctor suggested taking anti-inflammatory medicine for another week and surgically removing it if it doesn't go away.
We visited another dermatologist who prescribed Amoxicillin for 2 days and recommended going to a breast surgery clinic for an ultrasound and removal if it doesn't improve. However, when I called a breast clinic, they said they can't perform the procedure on a young child because they move too much, and suggested going to a university hospital instead.
I was told that the nipple area is very sensitive for a growing child. I am so worried and regret letting them use a laser to make a hole in it initially. Is the area around the nipple related to a child's overall growth? My child is already small and hasn't grown even 1 cm between August and November, which makes me even more anxious.
Answer:
I understand how worried you must be, especially since the lump on your child's chest hasn't fully resolved despite prolonged antibiotic treatment.
From a medical perspective, a lump around the nipple in children is most likely an infectious cyst or a sebaceous cyst. While this area is certainly sensitive, appropriate treatment very rarely affects a child's overall growth or development.
Here are the recommended steps for your current situation:
Observe the medication response: First, see how the lump responds after taking the prescribed Amoxicillin for the next 2 days.
Seek pediatric specialist care: If there is no improvement, I highly recommend visiting a university hospital that has a pediatric surgery department. General breast surgery clinics often do not treat young children, but pediatric surgeons have extensive experience in performing ultrasounds and minor procedures under proper pediatric sedation. They also understand the specific anatomical characteristics of growing children.
Growth concerns: Regarding your child's height, the lump is highly unlikely to be directly related to their overall growth. Additionally, it is quite common for a child's growth to pause briefly, and growing less than 1 cm over a 3-month period can fall within a normal growth pattern.
When to seek immediate care:
Please bring your child to an emergency room immediately if you notice any of the following signs:
Increased redness or heat around the lump
Worsening pain
A systemic (whole-body) fever
Please do not blame yourself for the initial laser treatment. You are doing your absolute best to get your child the right care, and these cysts usually resolve well with the proper intervention. Consulting a pediatric surgeon for an in-person evaluation will give you the most accurate assessment and help put your mind at ease.
For extra peace of mind and clear guidance when tracking your child's symptoms, the FeverCoach app is always there to help.
