Complications of mastitis may include the development of what?

Mastitis, which is an infection of the breast tissue, can lead to several complications, with the development of a breast abscess being a significant one. An abscess occurs when the infection within the breast tissue leads to the formation of a localized collection of pus. This occurs due to the body's immune response to the infection, which causes inflammation and the accumulation of pus in that area.

The risk of developing an abscess increases in cases of untreated or severe mastitis, where the infection progresses, causing further tissue damage and necrosis. Clinically, breast abscesses present as a painful, swollen area that may be warm to the touch and can sometimes be accompanied by fever or systemic symptoms of infection. Proper evaluation and management, often including drainage and antibiotics, are necessary to resolve the abscess and prevent further complications.

While other conditions such as fibroadenomas, mammary duct ectasia, and intraductal papillomas can arise in the breast, they are not directly caused by mastitis. Instead, they are associated with different underlying pathologies or risk factors unrelated to the infectious processes seen in mastitis. The focus with mastitis is primarily on the risk of developing abscesses, making this option the most appropriate answer in the