Breast mass

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Breast mass
Synonyms	Breast lump, breast tumor
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Breast pain, nipple discharge, changes in breast size or shape
Complications	Breast cancer
Onset	Can occur at any age, more common in women over 40
Duration	Varies depending on cause
Types	N/A
Causes	Fibroadenoma, cyst, breast cancer, mastitis
Risks	Family history, hormonal changes, age
Diagnosis	Mammography, ultrasound, biopsy
Differential diagnosis	Fibrocystic breast changes, lipoma, abscess
Prevention	Regular breast self-examination, mammography
Treatment	Depends on cause; may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Varies; benign masses have excellent prognosis, malignant masses depend on stage
Frequency	Common; most women will experience a breast mass at some point
Deaths	N/A

Needle biopsy

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:

• Fibrocystic breast changes
• Fibroadenoma
• Breast cysts
• Intraductal papilloma
• Breast cancer

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

• Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB)
• Core needle biopsy
• Vacuum-assisted 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.

See also

• Breast cancer
• Mammography
• Breast ultrasound
• Biopsy