Breast and Axillae Flashcards
Breast nodules are often bilateral or unilateral?
bilateral and can occur throughout the breast
when does nodularity of the breast increase?
possibly before menses
is uneven breast tissue normal or abnormal
normal
extra nipples along the “milk line” that present as a small nipple/areola
supernumerary nipples
what node is most likely to be palpable
central nodes
node that is in the center of the axilla in the axillary fat, midway between A and P axillary fold
Central nodes
node located between the pectoralis minor and major muscles
Rotter’s nodes
where does the central nodes drain into
into the infraclavicular and supraclavicular nodes
where do most lymphatic vessels of the breast drain into?
the axillary nodes
what 3 groups drain into the central nodes? are they palpable
- pectoral (anterior)
- subscapular (posterior)
- lateral (humeral or deep)
no they are not palpable
small nipple and areola overlaying a thin disc of undeveloped breast tissue consisting of primarily ducts
the male breast
a benign breast enlargement caused by a proliferation of a palpable glandular tissue
gynecomastia
how big is the glandular tissue in gynecomastia?
> 2cm in size
what causes gynecomastia?
- increased estrogen
- decreased testosterone
- medications (spironolactone)
- Klinefelter syndrome
- antipsychotics
common/concerning symptoms of the breast
- breast lump
- discomfort or pain
- nipple discharge
accumulation of subareolar fat
pseudogynecomastia (man boobs)
what should be asked for pts with breast lump or mass?
- location
- how long has it been there
- any variation in size or with menstraution
- any dimpling of the skin?
- family history
MC breast mass for age 15-25 years?
fibroadenoma
smooth, rubbery, round, mobile and nontender breast mass
fibroadenoma
MC breast mass in age 25-50
Cyst, fibrocystic changes, cancer
mass that is soft/firm, round, mobile, tender
cysts
mass that is nodular and rope like
fibrocystic change
mass that is irregular, firm, mobile/fixed
cancer
MC masses in pregnant/lactating patients
- lactating adenomas
- cysts
- mastitis
- cancer
Breast pain that fluctuates with hormone changes from menstrual cycle
cyclic mastalgia
breast pain related to an internal injury or anatomical change
non-cyclic mastaglia
breast pain that is felt in the breast but originates from another location
Extramammary mastalgia
what type of pain NEEDS diagnostic imaging
focal
a discharge of milk containing fluid unrelated to pregnancy or lactation
galactorrhea
what is the MC cause of galactorrhea
hyperprolactinemia
when is nipple discharge more likely to be pathologic?
- blood/serous
- unilateral
- spontaneous
- with a mass
- arising from a single duct
- > 40yo
When is the best time to do a breast exam in female patients that are still menstruating
5-7 days after onset of menstruation
what are the 4 positions of breast exams
- arms at the side
- arms over the head
- hands pressed against the hips
- leaning forward