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Fat necrosis (breast)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Traumatic fat necrosis may follow trivial or unnoticed injury. Clinically, it may be difficult to differentiate from carcinoma.

Fat exuded from injured adipocytes incites a foreign body giant cell reaction with subsequent fibrosis and calcification.

Examination usually reveals a hard, irregular lump which may be tethered to the skin and accompanied by enlarged axillary lymph nodes. A history of trauma, evidence of injury, or shrinkage of the lump supports the diagnosis of fat necrosis.

Excision biopsy is required to exclude malignancy with certainty. A section through the lump reveals a pale, fibrous mass which may contain central fluid fat or chalky material.


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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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