BREAST MASS Flashcards
What are known as painful breast masses, often multiple and bilateral, and pain often worsens during the premenstrual phase of cycle?
Fibrocystic condition (fibrocystic changes)
Is rapid fluctuation in breast mass size normal?
yes
- estrogen is considered a causative factor
- increased risk in women who drink
What is the most frequent lesion of the breast?
Fibrocystic condition (fibrocystic changes)
What is the most common age for fibrocystic changes?
30-50 years old
What are these signs and symptoms of?
- breast pain or tenderness
a. may be asymptomatic and found on accident - discomfort often worsens during premenstrual phase of cycle as cysts are enlarging
- fluctuation in size of masses
- multiple or bilateral
- absence of enlarged or tender lymph nodes
Fibrocystic changes
What imaging should be used for fibrocystic changes?
- mammography
- ultrasound
a. used alone when patient is under 30
What kind of diagnostic testing should be performed for all suspicious lesions?
Core needle biopsy
Can you treat fibrocystic changes with NSAIDS?
yes, but more severe pain should be referred to primary care for further eval
What are some patient education points for fibrocystic changes?
- avoiding trauma
- wear supporting bra day and night
- decrease fat intake
- eliminating caffeine
- Vitamin E, 400IU daily
- Month self breast exam after menstruation
a. risk of not detecting breast cancer is higher
What is a common benign neoplasm of the breast occurring most frequently in young women?
Fibroadenoma
What usually occurs within 20 years after puberty and more frequently and occurs earlier in black women?
Fibroadenoma
What are these mass characteristics indicative of?
- round or ovoid
- rubbery
- discrete
- relatively movable
- nontender mass 1-5 cm in diameter
Fibroadenoma
What kind of imaging should be done for fibroadenomas?
ultrasound
1. core needle biopsy often recommended
True or False
All breast masses should be referred to General surgery for further evaluation and work up
True
Once a fibroadenoma is confirmed with biopsy, is treatment usually necessary?
No
Excision may be necessary for large or rapidly growing fibroadenomas of what size?
larger than 3-4cm
Excision of fibroadenomas is used to rule out what?
phyllodes tumor
1. rare malignant fibroadenoma like tumor
What is a lesion of the breast, produces a mass (often with skin or nipple retraction), and are commonly seen after fat injection to augment breast size or to fill defects after breast surgery?
Fat necrosis
What is usually indistinguishable from carcinoma even with imaging studies?
Fat necrosis
What is usually presumed to be the cause of fat necrosis?
trauma
Untreated masses from fat necrosis gradually disappear, but the safest course is to obtain a what?
core needle biopsy
frequently entire mass must be excised to exclude carcinoma
These can be common causes of what in the breast?
- segmental resection
- radiation therapy
- flap reconstruction after mastectomy
- MVA
- Assault
Fat necrosis
What disease has a 1 in 8 incidence in american women?
Female breast carcinoma
What is the second most common cancer in women?
Female breast carcinoma