Introduction Description: Spontaneous, bilateral nipple discharge (milky fluid only) unrelated to pregnancy or breastfeeding. Prevalence: Uncommon, but reports vary from 1%–30%, depending on the population studied. Predominant Age: Reproductive age. Genetics: No genetic pattern. Etiology and Pathogenesis Causes: Pituitary adenoma…
Introduction Description: Galactocele is the cystic dilation of a duct or ducts, with inspissated milk and desquamated epithelial cells that may become infected, resulting in acute mastitis or an abscess. Prevalence: Common in asymptomatic form. Predominant Age: Reproductive (lactating) age.…
Introduction Description: Fibrocystic breast changes are characterized by stromal and ductal proliferation that results in cyst formation, diffuse thickening, cyclic pain, and tenderness. The term fibrocystic change encompasses a multitude of different processes and older terms, including fibrocystic disease. It…
Introduction Description: Intraductal papilloma involves polypoid fibrovascular tumors that are covered by benign ductal epithelium and that arise in the ducts of the breast. Prevalence: Found in 0.4% of the general population and up to 20% of women older than…
Introduction Description: Fibroadenomas are the second most common form of breast disease and the most common breast mass. Prevalence: 2%–3% of women (some state as many as 25% of all women). Predominant Age: 15–35 years; most are younger than 30…
Introduction Description: Trauma to the breast may result in necrosis of fatty tissues, leading to an ill-defined mass that can mimic cancer. Prevalence: Uncommon. Fat necrosis manifests in 0.8% of breast tumors and 1%–9% of breast reduction surgeries. Predominant Age:…
Introduction Description: Duct ectasia is the dilation of the ducts of the breast with the inspissation of normal secretions, arising from chronic intraductal and periductal inflammation. Prevalence: Relatively common in asymptomatic form. Up to one-third of cases of pathologic nipple…
The Challenge Cystic breast masses are frequently encountered during the clinical care of women. The challenge is sorting out those that represent a threat from those that may be conservatively followed up. Scope of the Problem: Some authors estimate that…
Introduction Description: Breast cancer is a malignant neoplasm of the breast that is classified with respect to the cell type, location, and degree of invasion. Breast cancer is the second most common malignancy in women (second to skin cancers), accounting…
The Challenge Description: In normal cells, the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes encode for double-strand DNA repair proteins that keep the cells from abnormally growing. Although hundreds of mutations to these genes have been identified, only a limited number are associated…