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The ultimate goal of widespread screening for breast cancer is a reduction in mortality from the disease. Toward this end, appropriate screening for breast cancer involves both the physician and the patient. In general,…

Gynecomastia is a common condition and represents a benign proliferation of glandular tissue of the male breast. Gynecomastia occurs in three different age groups - neonatal, pubertal and elderly. Due to transplacental passage of estrogen, transient…

Mondor disease of the breast is rare and is a superficial thrombophlebitis of the lateral thoracic or superior thoraco-epigastric veins.

Clinical Features
Patients usually present with a tender subcutaneous cord along the distribution of…

Granulomatous lesions of the breast are rare. They can be secondary to systemic conditions (sarcoidosis), infections (mycobacterium, fungal), or reactions to foreign material (silicone, narcotics).

Clinical Features
A detailed history may…

Sclerosing lymphocytic lobulitis may occur in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Clinical Features
Patients classically present with a firm to hard, irregular, palpable, breast mass that can be difficult to…

Fibromatosis of the breast is similar to fibromatosis elsewhere in the body (e.g., desmoid tumors).

Clinical Features
Patients can present with a palpable mass that mimics carcinoma and is sometimes associated with…

Proliferation of epithelial cells lining the terminal duct-lobular unit is known as epithelial hyperplasia. The degree of hyperplasia can be graded as mild, moderate or florid. There may be associated atypical features. The significance of…

Sclerosing adenosis is associated with distortion of the terminal duct-lobular unit and should be regarded as an aberration of breast involution.

Clinical Features
Patients may present with either a breast lump or breast pain,…

Radial scars are often detected in screening mammography (0.9 per 1,000 women screened) or as incidental findings in excision breast biopsy for another pathology. Their importance lies in that they may mimic carcinoma.

Radiology
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Fat necrosis of the breast may be associated with a history of trauma (35-40%) and is an important clinical entity because it can mimic breast carcinoma. Surgical trauma secondary to biopsy or…

Breast hematoma can occur secondary to surgical intervention, including FNAB, core biopsy and excision biopsy. The most common cause of postoperative hematoma is inadequate hemostasis. Breast hematoma also occurs after minor trauma to the breast…

Periareolar infection occurring in patients with periductal mastitis has already been described. This infection is usually central and subareolar.

Peripheral breast abscesses can occur in patients with other systemic conditions such as diabetes, steroid…

Lactating Breast Infection
Nursing mothers can develop cellulitis or abscess formation secondary to infection with staphylococcus aureus. The portal of entry is usually an irritated or cracked nipple. It is not known whether poor…

Duct papillomas can be solitary or multiple. These lesions can present in isolation but are often noted in association with other benign breast pathology.

Although papillary lesions are histologically similar, there are different subtypes in…

Multiple papillomas tend to occur in peripheral ducts and present with a palpable mass associated in rare cases with nipple discharge. The diagnosis is usually made on core or excision biopsy. Inadequate excision results…

Periductal mastitis refers to the inflammatory process occurring around dilated ducts. The etiology and pathogenesis of periductal mastitis is debatable. One theory suggests that the process consists of initial duct dilatation followed by distention. This…

Mammary-duct fistula is a communication between a subareolar duct and skin, usually occurring in the periareolar region. It often occurs spontaneously following underlying periductal mastitis but can also occur following incision and drainage of a…

Duct ectasia is a benign condition associated with loss of elastin within the walls of the duct, with an associated chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate.

This results in duct dilatation and shortening. Duct ectasia should be…

Breast cysts commonly occur in the fifth and sixth decades, with a peak incidence occurring around the age of 50. It can therefore be assumed that their etiology is related to an alteration in the overall…

Phyllodes tumors range from benign to malignant and often clinically mimic a fibroadenoma. They are, however, distinct neoplastic lesions derived from monoclonal stromal cells and because of their malignant potential are managed by surgical excision.

Hamartomas are rare and present as well-circumscribed, mobile lesions.

They are often impalpable and may be an incidental finding on screening mammography.

Radiology
Breast hamartomas are one of the few breast abnormalities that have characteristic…

Fibroadenomas have previously been regarded as benign neoplasms, but should now be considered as an aberration of normal development. The peak incidence occurs in the third decade. An increasing number of newly developed fibroademonas are being…