Breast diseases Flashcards
Causes of breast lumps?
Breast cancer
Fibroadenomas
Adenomas
Cysts
Intraductal papillomas
Blocked milk ducts
What is a fibroadenoma?
A lump in the breast made of connective and glandular tissue
Usually subject to cyclical hormonal changes, so they may be particularly tender at a particular time of the month
What would a fibroadenoma feel like on palpation?
Well defined border
Lobulated
Usually 10-40mm in size
Mobile, movable under the skin
Are fibroadenomas pre-malignant?
No
What is a intraductal papilloma?
A small wart-like benign tumour that forms in a milk duct in the breast
Made of gland and fibrous tissue
On USS you see a lump that is spherical and looks smooth. What do you suspect?
A cyst, benign
On USS you see a solid mass which appears to be made up of multiple solid nodules. What do you suspect?
Likely to be a benign fibroadenoma
On USS you see a solid mass that is angular, branchlike and starting to calcify. What do you suspect?
This sounds malignant, arrange a biopsy
What makes up the triple assessment of a breast lump?
A breast examination
A mammogram or USS
A fine needle aspiration of core biopsy
Which women are fibroadenomas most seen in?
Young women
Why do fibroadenomas develop?
We don’t know exactly but it could be due to increased sensitivity to oestrogen
Which women are Intraductal papillomas most seen in?
Women over age 40
Why do Intraductal papillomas develop?
They usually develop naturally as the breast ages and changes
Clinical features of an Intraductal papilloma?
A palpable lump
Clear or bloodstained fluid from the nipple
Sometimes can be painful
Are Intraductal papillomas pre-malignant?
Not usually
Sometimes they can contain atypical cells that may become cancer in the future, however
