Breast Assessment & Complaints Flashcards
The glandular breast tissue lies between what two layers of the chest wall?
The superficial and deep layers of the superficial pectoral fascia
What are the fibrous tissue bands that attach the skin to the superficial fascia of the chest wall?
Cooper’s ligaments
What are the names of the modified sebaceous glands that are elevated on the areola?
Glands of Montgomery
What information do you need in a breast oriented history?
1) Breast complaints (mass, pain, discharge)
2) Age
3) Personal history of breast cancer
4) Breast surgeries
5) Date of last mammogram and results
6) History of current use of hormone therapy
What is the term for anterior chest pain perceived as breast pain?
Mastalgia
Common causes of chest wall pain include:
CAD, chostochondritis, hiatal hernia, pleurisy,
trauma, myalgia and psychogenic pain
What is the preferred method for a breast exam?
Vertical strips
In what part of the breast do cancers commonly occur?
Upper, outer quadrant (50%)
What procedures might be useful to differentiate between a cyst and a solid mass?
Ultrasound or FNA (fine needle aspiration)
What are the 3 components of the diagnostic triad for a breast mass?
1) Clinical breast exam (CBE)
2) Fine needle aspiration (FNA)
3) Mammography
What are the signs and symptoms of fibrocystic breast changes?
1) Cyclic, bilateral breast pain
2) Increased nodularity (peas in mashed potatoes)
3) Common in premenstrual phase of cycle
What is the term for a localized infection as a result of milk stasis?
Mastitis
What are the signs and symptoms of mastitis?
1) Fever
2) Chills
3) Breast pain
4) Erythemia
5) Palpable “lump”
6) Flu-like feeling
7) Typically unilateral
What are the signs and symptoms of a yeast infection of the nipple?
1) Burning pain in nipple(s)
2) Shooting pain up the breast
3) Pain late in the feeding
4) Pain worse in the evening
5) Baby with thrush or diaper rash (not diagnostic)
