Breast mass: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 03:41, 13 February 2025

An overview of breast masses and their evaluation through needle biopsy

Breast Mass

A breast mass is a localized swelling or lump in the breast tissue. It can be caused by a variety of conditions, ranging from benign fibroadenomas to malignant breast cancer. The evaluation of a breast mass is crucial for determining the appropriate management and treatment.

Causes

Breast masses can be caused by:

Symptoms

Common symptoms associated with a breast mass include:

A palpable lump in the breast
Changes in breast size or shape
Skin changes over the breast, such as dimpling
Nipple discharge

Evaluation

The evaluation of a breast mass typically involves a combination of clinical examination, imaging, and biopsy.

Clinical Examination

A thorough clinical breast examination is performed to assess the characteristics of the mass, such as its size, location, and consistency.

Imaging

Mammography and ultrasound are commonly used imaging techniques to evaluate breast masses. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may also be used in certain cases.

Needle Biopsy

A needle biopsy is a procedure used to obtain a sample of tissue from a breast mass for pathological examination. It is a minimally invasive procedure that can provide a definitive diagnosis.

Types of Needle Biopsy

Procedure

The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia. A needle is inserted into the breast mass, and a sample of tissue is extracted. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Advantages

Needle biopsy is less invasive than surgical biopsy and has a shorter recovery time. It is also highly accurate in diagnosing breast masses.

Management

The management of a breast mass depends on the underlying cause. Benign masses may require monitoring or surgical removal, while malignant masses may require a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Related Pages

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-'''Breast mass''' refers to a localized swelling, lump, or bump in the breast that feels different from the surrounding tissue. Breast masses can vary in size, shape, and consistency and can occur in one or both breasts. They are a common reason for women to seek medical attention due to the concern for [[Breast cancer|breast cancer]]. However, it is important to note that breast masses can result from a wide range of conditions, many of which are benign (non-cancerous).
+{{Short description|An overview of breast masses and their evaluation through needle biopsy}}
-==Causes==
+==Breast Mass==
-Breast masses can be caused by several conditions, including:
+A '''breast mass''' is a localized swelling or lump in the breast tissue. It can be caused by a variety of conditions, ranging from benign [[fibroadenoma]]s to malignant [[breast cancer]]. The evaluation of a breast mass is crucial for determining the appropriate management and treatment.
-* [[Fibrocystic breast changes]]: Characterized by lumpiness or thickening of the breast tissue, often related to hormonal changes.
+===Causes===
-* [[Cysts]]: Fluid-filled sacs that can develop in the breast tissue.
+Breast masses can be caused by:
-* [[Fibroadenomas]]: Non-cancerous solid tumors that are most common in young women.
+* [[Fibrocystic breast changes]]
-* [[Infections]]: Such as [[mastitis]], which is an infection of the breast tissue often associated with breastfeeding.
+* [[Fibroadenoma]]
-* [[Intraductal papillomas]]: Small, wart-like growths in the ducts of the breast.
+* [[Breast cyst]]s
-* [[Breast cancer]]: Malignant tumors that can develop from various cells in the breast.
+* [[Intraductal papilloma]]
+* [[Breast cancer]]
-==Symptoms==
+===Symptoms===
-The symptoms of a breast mass can vary depending on the underlying cause. Common symptoms include:
+Common symptoms associated with a breast mass include:
+* A palpable lump in the breast
+* Changes in breast size or shape
+* Skin changes over the breast, such as dimpling
+* Nipple discharge
-* A palpable lump in the breast with or without pain
+==Evaluation==
-* Changes in the size or shape of the breast
+The evaluation of a breast mass typically involves a combination of clinical examination, imaging, and biopsy.
-* Skin changes on the breast, such as dimpling, puckering, or redness
-* Nipple discharge, which may be clear, bloody, or another color
-* Changes in the appearance of the nipple, such as becoming inverted
-==Diagnosis==
+===Clinical Examination===
-The diagnosis of a breast mass typically involves a combination of:
+A thorough [[clinical breast examination]] is performed to assess the characteristics of the mass, such as its size, location, and consistency.
-* [[Clinical breast exam]]: A physical examination of the breasts by a healthcare provider.
+===Imaging===
-* [[Mammography]]: An X-ray of the breast used to detect abnormalities.
+[[Mammography]] and [[ultrasound]] are commonly used imaging techniques to evaluate breast masses. [[Magnetic resonance imaging]] (MRI) may also be used in certain cases.
-* [[Ultrasound]]: Uses sound waves to produce images of the breast tissue, helpful in distinguishing between solid masses and cysts.
-* [[Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)]]: Provides detailed images of the breast and is particularly useful in certain cases, such as for women with dense breast tissue.
-* [[Biopsy]]: The removal of a small sample of breast tissue for laboratory analysis to determine if a mass is benign or malignant.
-==Treatment==
+==Needle Biopsy==
-The treatment for a breast mass depends on the underlying cause:
+[[File:Needle_biopsy.jpg|thumb|right|A needle biopsy being performed on a breast mass.]]
+A '''needle biopsy''' is a procedure used to obtain a sample of tissue from a breast mass for pathological examination. It is a minimally invasive procedure that can provide a definitive diagnosis.
-* Benign conditions may not require treatment but could be monitored for changes.
+===Types of Needle Biopsy===
-* Infections are typically treated with antibiotics.
+* [[Fine-needle aspiration biopsy]] (FNAB)
-* Non-cancerous tumors like fibroadenomas may be surgically removed if they cause discomfort or grow.
+* [[Core needle biopsy]]
-* Breast cancer treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy, depending on the type and stage of cancer.
+* [[Vacuum-assisted biopsy]]
-==Prevention==
+===Procedure===
-While not all breast masses can be prevented, regular breast self-exams and routine clinical breast exams and mammograms can help detect abnormalities early when they are most treatable.
+The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia. A needle is inserted into the breast mass, and a sample of tissue is extracted. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.
-==See also==
+===Advantages===
-* [[Breast self-examination]]
+Needle biopsy is less invasive than surgical biopsy and has a shorter recovery time. It is also highly accurate in diagnosing breast masses.
-* [[Breast biopsy]]
-* [[Mastectomy]]
-* [[Lumpectomy]]
-==External links==
+==Management==
-* [https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer.html American Cancer Society: Breast Cancer]
+The management of a breast mass depends on the underlying cause. Benign masses may require monitoring or surgical removal, while malignant masses may require a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
-* [https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/index.htm CDC: Breast Cancer]
+==Related Pages==
+* [[Breast cancer]]
+* [[Mammography]]
+* [[Breast ultrasound]]
+* [[Biopsy]]
 [[Category:Breast diseases]]
-[[Category:Oncology]]
+[[Category:Medical procedures]]
-[[Category:Women's health]]
-{{Medicine-stub}}