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Updated: Mar 22, 2026

Changes in Mammary Gland Morphology and Breast Cancer Risk in Rats
Published on: October 16, 2010
Breast Mass in a Rubens Painting
Davide Lazzeri1,2, Donatella Lippi2, Manuel Francisco Castello1
1Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Villa Salaria Clinic, Rome, Italy.
Abstract:
Deformity of the breast and axilla observed in famous paintings is a fascinating field for the medico-artists. The attempt of a retrospective diagnosis of breast tumors is highly challenging. This paper deals with a Rubens painting portraying the heroine Judith with a visible but previously unreported left breast mass. Though speculative, the present medico-artistic diagnosis is of a tumor likely to be of benign nature. It is of interest that the present case is the sixth breast disease discovered in Rubens's works.
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