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At the initial stage, if there is redness, swelling, and pain in the breast, accompanied by slight chills and fever, without dizziness or dry mouth, and with mild pain, it is a favorable condition (Shun).
When the abscess has formed, if there is local swelling and fever, pain at fixed times, and the swelling is confined to one glandular lobe without invading others, the condition is mild.
After ulceration, if yellow and thick pus is discharged, swelling subsides, pain gradually ceases, itching occurs around the wound edges, and new flesh grows, it is a favorable condition.
After ulceration, if pus discharge stops spontaneously, swelling and pain subside, new tissue regenerates easily, and the wound closes readily, it is a favorable condition.

If at the initial stage, the entire breast is swollen, numb and painful without redness, accompanied by chills, fever, irritability, vomiting, and anorexia, it is an unfavorable condition (Ni).
When the abscess has formed, if there is no heat or redness, hardness like stone, dry mouth, insomnia, chest oppression, and reduced appetite, it is an unfavorable condition.
After ulceration, if there is no pus, central necrosis occurs, higher swelling correlates with more severe pain, and bleeding ensues, the prognosis is fatal.
After ulceration, if the tissue turns purple-black, pain radiates to the heart, breath becomes progressively weaker, and the body emaciates, the prognosis is fatal.

At the initial stage, with fever, aversion to cold, dizziness, fatigue, and floating-rapid pulse indicating pathogenic factors in the exterior, dispersing methods should be used.
With fever but no aversion to cold, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth with thirst, and chest discomfort, clearing methods should be used.
Due to depression injuring the Liver and overthinking injuring the Spleen, resulting in hard, slightly painful nodules, soothing the Liver and moving Qi is indicated.
When the abscess has formed, with local swelling, fever, periodic pain, and impending suppuration, supporting the interior and detoxifying is indicated.
If pus has formed causing distending pain, immediate incision and drainage are required.
For patients with weak Spleen and Stomach, tonification and support should be combined with detoxification.
If after ulceration the wound fails to heal, with thin pus, persistent swelling/pain, continuous pain, massive tonification of Qi and Blood is needed.
For painless tubercles that enlarge over time and drain only clear fluid after rupture, nourishing Blood and soothing the Liver is indicated.

A woman suffered from left breast swelling and pain due to anger, with alternating chills and fever. After one dose of Renshen Baidu San (Ginseng Detoxification Powder), exterior symptoms resolved; after two doses of Niubangzi Tang (Arctium Decoction), swelling subsided and she gradually recovered.
A woman suffered from excessive worry and long-term stagnation leading to consumption, with a left breast nodule the size of a peach persisting for half a year. It was painful yet not painful, accompanied by cough with phlegm and tidal fever. The pulse was faintly rapid and weak. Although True Qi was deficient, evil fire was not excessive. With appropriate medication, treatment was possible. Initially, Xiaoyao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) with Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome) and Beimu (Fritillaria Bulb) was given for over ten doses, stopping the cough and alternating chills/fever. Then Bazhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction) with Xiangfu, Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), and Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix) was given for over ten doses, reducing fever by 80-90%. Subsequently, Yiqi Yangrong Tang (Qi-Nourishing and Spirit-Soothing Decoction) with Qingpi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) and Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix) was administered for over two months. Chest comfort improved, belching relieved, diet increased, skin became lustrous. The external swelling was treated with Awei Huapi Gao (Asafoetida Plague-Dissolving Paste), resolving completely after over six months.
A woman had right breast pain and swelling resembling an inverted bowl. The pulse was rapid and forceful, indicating excess syndrome and impending suppuration. Tuoli Xiaodu San (Interior-Supporting and Toxin-Expelling Powder) was administered. After several doses, upon onset of distending pain, needle drainage yielded approximately one bowl of pus. She then took Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten Complete Tonifying Decoction) with Xiangfu for over ten doses and recovered.
A woman experienced sudden anger leading to left breast nodular swelling and pain. Self-medication with Xianfang Huoming Yin (Immortal Formula for Life Preservation Decoction) stopped pain slightly after two doses but did not resolve the nodule. Continued use of cooling and detoxifying agents exacerbated swelling and pain, weakening her constitution. Her pulse was floating, rapid, and weak, indicating deficiency of True Qi and excess of Evil. Tonification was essential. Yiqi Yangrong Tang was given for four to five doses, raising the swelling and resolving chills/fever. After another ten doses, pus ulcerated. Combined with Shiquan Dabu Tang, she recovered in two months. This outcome demonstrates the efficacy of pure tonification.
A man over fifty, distressed by his wife's death and son's failure, developed left breast nodules due to Liver injury from depression. After six months, severe pain and putrefaction occurred, with a wiry-rapid Liver pulse. Xiao Chaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) with Qingpi, Shanzhi (Gardeniae Fructus), Yuanzhi, and Beimu was given for several doses, calming the Liver pulse. Bazhen Tang with the same herbs was given for over ten doses, transforming the nodule into pus. Yiqi Yangrong Tang was prescribed for consolidation. Misled by other physicians who argued against tonification due to "Liver Fire," he took heat-clearing and Qi-regulating formulas, leading to anorexia, constipation, fever, and thirst. Upon re-evaluation, the Liver pulse was wiry again, with dry mouth/thirst (evil fire internal invasion), reduced diet (Spleen Earth injury), and constipation/fever (Yin/Blood exhaustion leading to dryness/heat). These were internal damage syndromes; I declined treatment. He died a month later.
A woman had a left breast nodule for three years before developing swelling and pain. The pulse was tight, rapid, and forceful, indicating excess Yang and deficient Yin. The nodule was stone-hard with purplish, dull skin/muscle, diagnosed as Ru Yan (Breast Rock/Cancer). I declined treatment. Another woman had a left breast nodule varying in size/hardness without pain for over six months, suddenly becoming swollen like an inverted bowl, hard, numb, and painful, with papules near the nipple, intermittent pain/itching, and a wiry-rapid pulse. The swollen skin was dark and dull, indicating dead Qi and Blood; I declared it untreatable. Another woman had an ulcerated breast swelling resembling a lotus flower with uncontrollable bleeding; she subsequently died.