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Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Mastitis natural history, complications, and prognosis

Introduction

Overview

Overview

If left untreated, up to 11% of patients with puerperal mastitis may progress to develop a breast abscess.[1] Complications that may arise from mastitis include: recurrence, milk stasis and abscess formation. The prognosis is usually good and mastitis clears quickly with antibiotic therapy. 73% of smokers diagnosed with mastitis[2] have the worst prognosis, especially those with non-puerperal mastitis, and have a higher rate of recurrence of breast abscesses.

Natural history, complications, and prognosis

Natural history, complications, and prognosis

Natural history

If left untreated, up to 11% of patients with puerperal mastitis may progress to develop a breast abscess.[1]

Complications

Complications that may arise from mastitis include:

  • Recurrence
  • Recurrence appears especially in cases of delayed or inadequate treatment.
  • Abscess is the most severe complication that women can get from this condition.

Prognosis

The prognosis is usually good and mastitis clears quickly with antibiotic therapy. 73% of smokers diagnosed with mastitis[2] have the worst prognosis, especially those with non-puerperal mastitis, and have a higher rate of recurrence of breast abscesses.

References

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Liu YY, Chen WC, Chen SL (2016). “[The Continued Breastfeeding Experiences of Women Who Suffer From Breast Abscess]”. Hu Li Za Zhi. 63 (2): 49–57. doi:10.6224/JN.63.2.49. PMID 27026557.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Risager R, Bentzon N (2010). “[Smoking and increased risk of mastitis]”. Ugeskr Laeger. 172 (33): 2218–21. PMID 20727287.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: ; Prince Tano Djan, BSc, MBChB [2]