Breast disorders

Breast disorders encompass a wide range of conditions, from benign growths to infections and malignancies. With the breast being a highly dynamic organ that undergoes various physiological changes across a woman's life, it's vulnerable to multiple disorders. A comprehensive understanding of these conditions is pivotal for any healthcare professional, enabling effective diagnosis, management, and counseling.

Breast exam

Classification

Breast disorders can be broadly categorized based on their nature and etiology:

Breast cancer progression

• Infections and inflammations
  • Mastitis: Inflammation of breast tissue, often due to infection.
  • Granulomatous mastitis: Specific type of breast inflammation characterized by granulomas.
  • Subareolar abscess: Pus-filled pocket beneath the areola.

• Benign growths and conditions
  • Breast cyst: Fluid-filled sacs within the breast tissue.
  • Fibroadenoma: Non-cancerous solid tumors.
  • Fibrocystic breast changes: Lumpy or rope-like breast tissue.
  • Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia: Overgrowth of tissues in the breast.
  • Mammary-type myofibroblastoma: Rare benign tumor of the breast.

How to examine your breasts

• Hormonal and developmental abnormalities
  • Galactorrhea: Abnormal milk production unrelated to childbirth.
  • Gynecomastia: Enlarged male breasts due to hormonal imbalances.
  • Breast atrophy: Shrinking of the breast tissue.
  • Breast hypertrophy: Overly large breasts.
  • Tuberous breasts: Congenital abnormality leading to tubular-shaped breasts.
  • Premature thelarche: Early breast development in girls.

• Traumatic and mechanical issues
  • Breast hematoma: Collection of blood within the breast tissue.
  • Fat necrosis: Dead fatty tissue often due to injury.
  • Breast engorgement: Painful overfilling of the breasts with milk.
  • Inverted nipple: Nipple that is retracted into the breast.
  • Cracked nipple: Fissures or cracks on the skin of the nipple.
  • Latch (breastfeeding): Technique of attaching a baby to the breast for feeding.

• Other conditions
  • Breast pain: Discomfort in the breast, often cyclic.
  • Breast mass: General term for any lump or thickening in the breast.
  • Galactocele: Milk-filled cyst.
  • Mammoplasia: Enlargement of the breast tissue.
  • Mondor's disease: Inflammation of a vein beneath the skin of the chest or breast.
  • Nipple discharge: Any fluid leaking from the nipple.
  • Ptosis (breasts): Drooping or sagging breasts.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of breast disorders often includes:

• Patient history and physical examination
• Mammography
• Ultrasound
• Biopsy
• Hormone tests

Management

Treatment varies greatly depending on the specific disorder:

• Pharmacological interventions
• Surgical procedures
• Hormonal treatments
• Supportive measures

Prognosis

Most benign breast disorders have a favorable prognosis, while malignant conditions necessitate prompt diagnosis and management for optimal outcomes.

References

• Howard, B. A., & Gusterson, B. A. (2000). Human breast development. *Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia*, 5(2), 119-137.
• Love, S. M., & Barsky, S. H. (2004). Anatomy of the nipple and breast ducts revisited. *Cancer*, 101(9), 1947-1957.
• Sharma, P. (2019). Common Breast Problems. In *Women's Health* (pp. 157-166). Springer, Cham.

Breast disorders Resources
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