Breast lumps

Question 1

Features of fibroadenomas?

Answer 1

Smooth
Mobile
Painless
Well circumscribed borders
Firm
Up to 3cm width
Common in 20-40yo, regress after menopause

Question 2

Features of breast cysts?

Answer 2

Painful
Fluctuant
Smooth
Mobile
Well circumscribed borders
Size changes with menstrual cycle

Question 3

What is meant by fibrocystic breast changes?

Answer 3

A generalised lumpiness to the breast which is a new change. Associated with mastalgia, fluctuation of breast size
Occurs before period and resolves during period
More common in menstruating women

Question 4

What is fat necrosis in the breast?

What is it caused by?

What are the features?

Answer 4

Lump of breast or an ‘oil cyst’ which is fibrosis and necrosis of fatty tissue

Caused by localised trauma, radiotherapy or surgery

Features (Same as breast cancer): painless, fixed, firm, irregular, skin dimpling, nipple inversion

Question 5

Which breast lumps should be investigated to rule out breast cancer?

Answer 5

Breast cysts
Fact necrosis

Question 6

What is a lipoma?

What are the features?

Answer 6

Benign tumours of fat found in the breast or anywhere else that is fatty

Painless, mobile, soft lump

Question 7

What is a galactocele?
When do they appear?

Answer 7

Breast milk filled cysts occuring in breastfeeding women
Appears after stopping breastfeeding

Question 8

What is a Phyllodes tumour?

Answer 8

Large fast growing benign or malignant tumours
Malignant tumours can metastasise