Module 6 Flashcards
(119 cards)
has small, rounded elevations formed by sebaceous glands (called Montgomery glands), sweat glands, and accessory areolar glands
The surface of the areola
There are two fascial layers of the breast:
The superficial fascia (lies deep to the dermis), and the deep fascia (lies anterior to the pectoralis major muscle)
suspensory Cooper ligaments
The breast is attached to the skin by suspensory Cooper ligaments, fibrous bands that travel through the breast and insert perpendicular to the dermis
Occasionally, one or more extra nipples are located along the “milk line” (usually, only a small nipple and areola are present, often mistaken for a common mole. They may be familial, and, in the absence of associated glandular tissue, there is little evidence of association with other congenital anomalies. Those containing glandular tissue occasionally show increased pigmentation, swelling, tenderness, or even lactation during puberty, menstruation, or pregnancy and can be associated with other congenital anomalies, mainly renal and thoracic.2 Treatment is recommended if there is diagnostic ambiguity, cosmetic concerns, or possible pathology
supernumerary nipples
To describe clinical findings, the breast is often divided into four quadrants based on horizontal and vertical lines crossing at the nipple (A fifth area, the axillary tail of breast, sometimes termed the…extends laterally across the anterior axillary fold.
The tail of Spence
is of great importance in the spread of carcinoma, and about three-quarters of it is to the axillary nodes.
The lymphatic drainage of the breast
l nodes that are most likely to be palpable during physical examination.
central nodes
a proliferation of palpable glandular tissue generally defined as more than 2 cm in boys or men
gynecomastia,
Causes of gynecomastia include
increased estrogen, decreased testosterone, and medication side effects.
an accumulation of subareolar fat
condition in which the male breast area has excess adipose (fat) tissue behind, around and under the nipples
pseudogynecomastia,
These are the most common breast-related complaints.
lumps, pain, or nipple discharge of her breasts.
15–25 yrs, usually puberty and young adulthood, but up to age 55 yrs
-usually single, maybe multiple
-round, disc-like shape
-maybe soft, usually firm
-well delineated
-very mobile
-usually nontender
-absent retraction signs
A noncancerous breast tumor that most often occurs in young women.
Fibroadenoma
(A benign neoplasm derived from glandular epithelium, in which there is a conspicuous stroma of proliferating fibroblasts and connective tissue elements; commonly occurs in breast tissue.)
-30–50 yrs, regress after menopause except with estrogen therapy
-single or multiple
-round
-soft to firm, usually elastic
-well delineated
-mobile
-often tender
-retraction signs is absent
Cysts
A fluid-filled sac in the breast, which usually isn’t cancerous.
Breast cysts are common in women ages 35 to 50. They usually disappear after menopause, unless a woman is taking hormone therapy.
-30–90 yrs, most common over age 50 yrs
-usually single, although may coexist with other nodules
-Irregular or stellate
-firm or hard
-not clearly delineated from surrounding tissue
-May be fixed to skin or underlying tissues
-usually nontender
retraction signs maybe present
Cancer
visible signs of breast cancer
Retraction signs
-abnormal contours
-skin dimpling
-nipple retraction and deviation
-Paget Disease of the Nipple
-edema of skin
As breast cancer advances, it causes fibrosis (scar tissue). Shortening of this tissue produces dimpling, changes in contour, and retraction or deviation of the nipple. Other causes of retraction include fat necrosis and mammary duct ectasia.
Retraction signs
Look for any variation in the normal convexity of each breast and compare one side with the other. Special positioning may again be useful. Shown here is marked flattening of the lower outer quadrant of the left breast.
Abnormal contours
Look for this sign with the patient’s arm at rest, during special positioning, and on moving or compressing the breast, as illustrated here.
Skin dimpling
A retracted nipple is flattened or pulled inward, as illustrated here. It may also be broadened and feels thickened. When involvement is radially asymmetric, the nipple may deviate or point in a different direction from its normal counterpart, typically toward the underlying cancer.
Nipple Retraction and Deviation
This uncommon form of breast cancer usually starts as a scaly, eczema-like lesion on the nipple that may weep, crust, or erode. A breast mass may be present. Suspect Paget disease in any persisting dermatitis of the nipple and areola. Often (>60%) presents with an underlying in situ or invasive ductal or lobular carcinoma.
Paget Disease of the Nipple
Edema of the skin is produced by lymphatic blockade. It appears as thickened skin with enlarged pores—the so-called peau d’orange (orange peel) sign. It is often seen first in the lower portion of the breast or areol
Edema of the skin
risks of breast cancer in males
Risk factors include increasing age, radiation exposure, BRCA gene mutations, Klinefelter syndrome, testicular disorders, alcohol use, liver disease, diabetes, and obesity.
The strongest risk factors for breast cancer in women are
increasing age, first-degree family members diagnosed with breast cancer (especially two or more diagnosed at an early age), inherited genetic mutations, personal history of breast cancer or ductal or lobular carcinoma in situ, biopsy-confirmed precancerous lesions, relatively denser breasts on mammography, high-dose radiation to the chest at a young age, and high levels of endogenous hormones.24
One of the most commonly used tools is … which incorporates age, race/ethnicity, personal history of breast cancer or ductal or lobular carcinoma in situ, chest radiation, genetic mutations, first-degree relatives with breast cancer, previous breast biopsy results, age at menarche, and age at first delivery.25
the National Cancer Institute’s Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (also known as the Gail model),