Anatomic Structure and Lifecycle Changes The adult female breast is located on the anterior chest wall, overlying the pectoralis muscles. The normal nipple-areolar complex is positioned slightly inferior to center….
Introduction: Prognostic and Predictive Factors For patients without distant metastases, regional lymph node involvement is the most important prognostic factor. The likelihood of survival diminishes with each additional positive node….
Diabetic Mastopathy/Lymphocytic Mastopathy Key Facts Terminology Chronic inflammation and stromal changes occurring primarily in women with diabetes mellitus or other autoimmune diseases Etiology/Pathogenesis Majority of patients have longstanding insulin-dependent diabetes…
Lipoma and Angiolipoma Key Facts Terminology Benign neoplasms consisting of mature adipose cells and blood vessels Clinical Issues Lipomas and angiolipomas form soft palpable circumscribed masses Lesions are benign, and…
Tubular/Cribriform Carcinoma Key Facts Terminology Tubular carcinoma (TC) and cribriform carcinoma (CC) are well-differentiated carcinomas Etiology/Pathogenesis Frequently associated with low-grade DCIS, flat epithelial atypia (FEA), and LCIS Similar molecular alterations…
Metastases to the Breast Key Facts Clinical Issues Metastases to the breast are < 3% of all breast malignancies Most common presentation is as palpable breast mass In 70-80% of…
Lactational Abscess Key Facts Terminology Bacterial infection occurring during lactational period Etiology/Pathogenesis Skin bacteria can be introduced into breast tissue Most abscesses are due to Staphylococcus Streptococcal infections are less…
Atypical Vascular Lesions of Skin Key Facts Terminology Proliferation of endothelial-like cells within dermis of skin several years after exposure to therapeutic radiation treatment Etiology/Pathogenesis These lesions are only seen…
Pseudoangiomatous Stromal Hyperplasia Key Facts Terminology Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH) Proliferation of stromal myofibroblasts forming clefts that resemble vascular spaces Etiology/Pathogenesis Majority of affected persons are women of childbearing age…
AJCC T4 Carcinomas (Chest Wall or Skin Involvement) This large cancer, occupying almost the entire breast, has caused ulceration of the skin and nipple . In the past, this was…
