What condition is consistent with the presentation of a lump in the breast accompanied by a dilated duct and inflammatory infiltrate in an older woman?

The presentation of a lump in the breast accompanied by a dilated duct and inflammatory infiltrate in an older woman aligns with the characteristics of mammary duct ectasia. This condition typically occurs when a milk duct beneath the nipple dilates, weakens, and becomes filled with fluid and thick, sticky substance. Often, this process can lead to inflammation and may cause the duct to become blocked, which often presents as a lump.

In older women, mammary duct ectasia is particularly relevant because the likelihood of this condition increases with age, particularly around the perimenopausal and menopausal periods due to hormonal changes. The inflammatory infiltrate indicates that there is an associated inflammatory response, which is a common component of this condition as a result of duct blockage and subsequent irritation.

The presence of duct dilation and inflammation sets mammary duct ectasia apart from other conditions such as acute mastitis, which is more prevalent in breastfeeding women and primarily presents with infection-related symptoms, or intraductal carcinoma, which would typically not present with the same inflammatory process or dilated duct. Fibroadenoma, being a benign tumor of the breast tissue, usually does not involve the ductal system in this inflammatory way and does not present with inflammation or duct dilation