Breast (2) (Benign conditions) Flashcards
Benign breast conditions
- Inflammatory disease
- Mastitis
- Breast cysts
- Mammary duct ectasia
- Fat necrosis
- Benign tumours
- Gynaecomastia
mastitis
Inflammation of breast tissue (can be acute or chronic). Classed by lactation status
lactational mastitis (most common)
- 1/3 of breastfeeding women- during first 3 months
- Associated with cracked nipples and milk stasis
- More common with first child
non-lactational mastitis
- In women with other conditions e.g. duct ectasia, as a peri-ductal mastitis
-
Tobacco smoking is an important RF
- Causes damaged to sub-areolar duct walls – predisposing to bacterial infection
causes of mastitis
- Infection e.g. S.Aureus
- Granulomatous
presentation of mastitis
- Tenderness
- Swelling/ induration
- Erythema
- Ensure there is no abscess formation
management of mastitis
- Systemic antibiotic therapy
- Simple analgesics
For lactational mastitis
- Continued milk drainage or feeding
- If persistent or multiple areas of infection
- Give Cabergoline (dopamine agonist) to cause cessation of breastfeeding
if persistent mastitis (lactational) what is the management
- Give Cabergoline (dopamine agonist) to cause cessation of breastfeeding
complication of mastitis
breast abscess
breast abscess
- Collection of pus within breast lined granulation tissue- most commonly developing from acute mastitis
presentation of breast abscess
Tender fluctuant and erythematous masses, with a punctum potentially present
- Systemic features inc fever and lethargy
investigations for breast abscess
US
management of breast abscess
- If caught early
- Prompt empirical antibiotics
- US-guided needle therapeutic aspiration
- If advanced
- Incision and drainage under local
complication of breast abscess
formation of mammary duct fistula
breast cysts
Cysts are epithelial lined fluid-filled cavities, which form when lobules become distended due to blockage. Common cause of breast masses.
RF for breast cyst
- perimenopausal
presentation of breast cyst
- Singular or multiple lumps affecting one or both breasts
- Cysts:
- Smooth
- Distinct (non tethered)
- May be tender
investigations for breast cyst
- Mammography- halo shaped
- US offers definitive diagnosis
management of breast cysts
- Most require no further management and self resolve
- Persisting , symptomatic or undeterminable cystic masses may be aspirated à cancer may eb excluded if the fluid is free of blood or the lump disappears (otherwise send for cytology)
- Cyclical pain treated with high dose gamolenic acid (GLA) or danazol
complications of breast cysts
- 2% of patients with cysts have carcinoma at presentation
- Patient with cysts also have 2-3 times greater risk of developing breast cancer in the future
- Fibro adenosis (fibrocystic changes) caused by multiple small cysts and fibrotic area
- Tender and cause asymmetry
mammary duct ectasia
Duct ectasia is the dilation and shortening of the major lactiferous ducts.
RF for mammary duct ectasia
menopause
presentation of mammary duct ectasia
- Coloured green/yellow nipple discharge
- Any blood-stained discharge requires triple assessment
- Palpable mass
- Nipple retraction