11. Breast Lump

Question 1

What are 4 most common diagnoses for a breast lump?

Answer 1

Benign cystic change, fibroadenoma, cyst and carcinoma

Question 2

What are the most common diagnoses for a breast lump in women under 30?

Answer 2

Physiologically normal lumpy breast, benign cystic change, fibroadenoma, abscess if breastfeeding, galactocele

Question 3

What are the most common diagnoses for a breast lump in women aged 30-45 ?

Answer 3

Benign cystic change, cyst, abscess, carcinoma

Question 4

What are the most common diagnoses for a breast lump in women aged 45-60?

Answer 4

Cyst, abscess and carcinoma

Question 5

What are the most common diagnoses for a breast lump in women aged over 60?

Answer 5

Carcinoma

Question 6

What diagnoses would you only encounter in breast-feeding women?

Answer 6

Galactocele and mastitis

Question 7

What are the main risk factors for breast cancer?

Answer 7

Previous breast cancer
Family Hx of breast cancer
Previous bowel, ovarian and endometrial cancer

Question 8

What questions should you ask in a breast lump history?

Answer 8

How long has the lump been there, when was it first noticed?
Has there been any breast trauma?
Has the lump got bigger, smaller or stayed the same size? Are changes related to the menses?
Is the lump painful?
Have you noticed any skin changes/ nipple discharge?

Question 9

What will you look for on inspection in a breast exam?

Answer 9

Asymmetry, countours, skin changes, nipple changes/ discharge

Question 10

What kind of consistency do cysts have?

Answer 10

Firm to lax

Question 11

What kind of consistency do fibroadenomas have?

Answer 11

Rubbery

Question 12

What kind of consistency do carcinomas have?

Answer 12

Hard

Question 13

What makes up the triple assessment for breast lumps?

Answer 13

1. Clinical examination
2. Radiological: <35 ultrasound, >35 two view mammogram
3. Fine needle aspiration or core biopsy