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.

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Breast exam

Classification

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

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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.

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