Diseases of the breast

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pathology
• Public Health

Background:

• Health education emphasizing self-examination and early diagnosis has decreased the incidence of malignant breast lesions in clinical practice to under 5%.
• Despite this decrease, breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women and the second most common breast lesion.
• Chronic cystic mastitis is the most prevalent breast lesion, often manageable through conservative aspiration of cystic fluid.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current landscape of breast lesions encountered in clinical practice.
• To highlight the diagnostic and treatment approaches for common and rare breast diseases.
• To underscore the importance of early detection and ongoing follow-up for breast conditions, particularly carcinoma.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical observations and established diagnostic criteria for various breast lesions.
• Discussion of treatment modalities, including conservative management and surgical interventions.
• Emphasis on the role of cytological examination for specific symptoms like nipple discharge.

Main Results:

• Malignant breast lesions are now less than 5% of clinical presentations due to enhanced screening and early diagnosis.
• Chronic cystic mastitis is the most common benign lesion, treatable by aspiration.
• Various other benign and malignant breast conditions, including adenofibroma, intraductal papilloma, and cystosarcoma phylloides, require specific diagnostic and management strategies.

Conclusions:

• While less common, breast cancer remains a significant threat, requiring diligent follow-up for early detection.
• Conservative management is effective for chronic cystic mastitis, but vigilance for potential carcinoma is crucial.
• Accurate diagnosis through methods like excisional biopsy and cytological examination is vital for appropriate treatment of diverse breast diseases.