Small, well-defined, mobile mass,
increased size and tenderness with
high estrogen, women < 35 years old
Intraductal
papilloma
Small fibroepithelial tumor within lactiferous ducts, typically
beneath areola, most common cause of nipple discharge
Phyllodes tumor
Large mass of connective tissue and cysts with
“leaf-like” lobulations, most common in 5th decade
Malignant
Non-invasive
DCIS
Fills ductal lumen (neoplastic cells in duct; engorged blood
vessel). Arises from ductal atypia. Often seen early as
microcalcifications on mammography
Cribriform type
Comedo type
Central
necrosis
LCIS
Proliferation of cells in lobules, Discohesive growth, round cells clumped together
Paget's
disease
Results from underlying DCIS or invasive breast cancer. Eczematous
patches on nipple . Paget cells = intraepithelial adenocarcinoma cells.
Invasive
Invasive ductal carcinoma
Firm, fibrous, “rock-hard” mass with sharp margins and small,
glandular, duct-like cells. Tumor can deform suspensory
ligaments. Classic morphology: “stellate” infiltration
Invasive lobular carcinoma
Orderly row of cells (“single file”), due to loss of E-cadherin
expression. Often bilateral with multiple lesions in the same location.
Medullary carcinoma
Fleshy, cellular, lymphocytic infiltrate, good prognosis
Inflammatory breast cancer
Dermal lymphatic invasion by breast carcinoma. Peau d’orange
(skin texture resembles orange peel due to edema leading to
tightening of Cooper’s suspensory ligament)
Physical
examination
Look for symmetry,
irregular lumps, change
in shape and size,
tenderness, discharge
Investigations
FNA biopsy
very thin, hollow needle attached to
a syringe used to aspirate tissue
from suspicious area