1. Clinical presentation of breast diseases

Question 1

Clinical presentations of breast disease

Answer 1

1. Pain (Mastalgia, Mastodynia)
2. Discrete Palpable Masses
3. Nipple Discharge
4. Lumpiness

Question 2

Pain in the breast

Answer 2

May be cyclic (as with menses) or non-cyclic

1. Cyclic pain usually diffused, typically not pathological
2. Non-cyclic pain usually localized, mostly indicates a benign condition (rupture cyst, trauma, infection), but may sometimes indicate breast cancer

Question 3

Discrete palpable masses

Answer 3

Masses become palpable beyond at 2cm

Question 4

Differentials for discrete palpable mass

Answer 4

1. Cysts
2. Fibroadenomas
3. Invasive carcinomas (more likely in older women)

Question 5

Distribution of location of breast cancers

Answer 5

1. 50% occur in upper outer quadrant
2. 20% occur in central subareolar region
3. 10% in each remaining quadrant

Question 6

Benign causes of nipple discharge

Answer 6

1. prolactinoma, hypothyroidism, oral contraceptives → milky discharge / galactorrhea
2. solitary large duct papillomas, cysts, pregnancy → bloody / serous discharge

Question 7

Malignant causes of nipple discharge, especially so if discharge is:

Answer 7

1. Spontaneous & unilateral

2. Seen in older women