Benign breast disease management

Benign breast disease management

Benign breast disease management

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🔬 Pathology - Lumps, Bumps, & Biopsies

  • Diagnostic Workup Algorithm:
  • Common Benign Pathologies:
    • Fibroadenoma: Most common benign tumor in women < 35. Well-defined, mobile, "breast mouse". Biopsy: stromal & epithelial proliferation.
    • Fibrocystic Changes: Commonest benign condition. Cyclical, bilateral pain/lumps. Cysts, fibrosis, apocrine metaplasia.
    • Intraductal Papilloma: #1 cause of unilateral bloody/serosanguinous nipple discharge. Biopsy: fibrovascular core within a duct.
    • Fat Necrosis: History of trauma/surgery. Firm, irregular mass. Biopsy: fat globules, lipid-laden macrophages. Can mimic malignancy.
    • Sclerosing Adenosis / Radial Scar: Mimics invasive carcinoma; excisional biopsy often required.

⭐ Proliferative lesions with atypia (e.g., ADH, ALH) found on biopsy carry a significant 4-5x increased risk for subsequent invasive carcinoma.

🎯 Diagnosis - The Triple Test Triumph

The "Triple Test" is the cornerstone for evaluating a palpable breast mass, integrating three key diagnostic components to achieve high accuracy in differentiating benign from malignant lesions.

  • 1. Clinical Breast Exam (CBE):

    • Assess mass characteristics: size, texture, mobility, location.
    • Inspect for skin changes (dimpling, erythema, peau d'orange) and nipple abnormalities (retraction, discharge).
  • 2. Imaging:

    • Mammogram: Primary modality for women >40 years. Key for detecting microcalcifications and architectural distortion.
    • Ultrasound: First-line for women <40 years, pregnant/lactating women, or those with dense breasts. Differentiates cystic vs. solid masses and guides biopsies.
  • 3. Pathology (Tissue Sampling):

    • Core Needle Biopsy (CNB): Standard of care for solid masses. Provides histological diagnosis.
    • Fine-Needle Aspiration (FNA): Can provide cytology; primarily used for draining simple cysts.

⭐ When all three components are concordantly benign, the negative predictive value (NPV) is >99%, effectively ruling out malignancy.

🔪 Management - Watch, Wait, or Excise?

Management hinges on biopsy results and associated cancer risk.

  • Observe & Reassure (Non-proliferative / Low Risk)

    • Fibrocystic Changes, Simple Cysts: No increased cancer risk. Aspirate large, painful cysts for relief.
    • Fibroadenoma: Observe if asymptomatic, stable, and < 3 cm. Regular follow-up imaging.
  • Consider Excision (Intermediate / Symptomatic)

    • Symptomatic/Growing Fibroadenoma: Excision for patient comfort or diagnostic uncertainty.
    • Radial Scar / Complex Sclerosing Lesion: Often excised due to risk of associated atypia or malignancy.
  • Excisional Biopsy Required (High-Risk Lesions)

    • Atypical Hyperplasia (ADH, ALH), LCIS: These are significant risk factors for future cancer.
    • Phyllodes Tumor: Requires wide local excision with negative margins to prevent recurrence.

High-Yield: A core needle biopsy showing Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia (ADH) or Atypical Lobular Hyperplasia (ALH) requires a follow-up surgical excisional biopsy. Up to 20-30% may have an upgraded diagnosis to DCIS or invasive cancer.

⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Fibroadenomas (women <35): Observe unless symptomatic or growing, then consider excision.
  • Fibrocystic changes: Manage cyclical pain with supportive bras, NSAIDs, and OCPs.
  • Intraductal papilloma: Presents with bloody nipple discharge; requires surgical excision.
  • Lactational mastitis: Treat with dicloxacillin and continued breastfeeding/pumping.
  • Breast abscess: Requires I&D and antibiotics; suspect if mastitis doesn't improve.
  • Fat necrosis: Mimics cancer post-trauma; biopsy is often needed for diagnosis.

Practice Questions: Benign breast disease management

Test your understanding with these related questions

A 36-year-old woman comes to the physician because of progressively worsening painful swelling of both breasts for the past 24 hours. Three days ago, she vaginally delivered a healthy 2690-g (5-lb 15-oz) girl. The patient says that breastfeeding her newborn daughter is very painful. She reports exhaustion and moodiness. She has no history of serious illness. Medications include folic acid and a multivitamin. Her temperature is 37.4°C (99.3°F). Examination shows tenderness, firmness, and fullness of both breasts. The nipples appear cracked and the areolas are swollen bilaterally. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

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Flashcards: Benign breast disease management

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Benign prostatic hyperplasia may be treated with surgical resection, with the gold standard being the _____ procedure

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Benign prostatic hyperplasia may be treated with surgical resection, with the gold standard being the _____ procedure

TURP

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