Fat necrosis

Fat necrosis is a process that can occur if the fatty tissue in the  breast is injured either as a result of surgery,radiotherapy or trauma.

The blood supply to the fat is damaged and the tissue dies. This can cause a dramatic inflammatory reaction under the skin.

There is redness, swelling and pain and the features look very similar to those associated with infection.

This condition does not respond to antibiotics.

With time the inflammation settles down.

There may be a residual hard lump and eventually the damaged tissue can break down to form an oil cyst.