Chapter 6: Disorders of the Breasts
carcinoma
a malignant tumor that occurs in epithelial tissue
mammography
a radiographic examination of the breasts to detect the presence of tumors or precancerous cells
breast self-examination (BSE)
a technique that enables a woman to detect changes in her breasts
fibrocystic breast changes
a variety of changes in the glandular and structural tissues of the breast
mastitis
inflammation of the mammary gland
simple mastectomy
removal of an entire breast but with the underlying muscle and axillary lymph nodes left intact
duct ectasia
a benign condition of the subareolar ducts that can cause a nipple discharge
benign breast disorder
any noncancerous breast abnormality that can cause pain and discomfort
fibroadenomas
proliferative lesions without atypia (cell abnormalities); common, slow-growing, benign solid breast tumours
modified radical mastectomy
the surgical removal of the entire breast and all of the axillary lymph nodes under the adjacent arm
breast-conserving surgery
the wide local excision (or lumpectomy) of a breast tumour along with a 1-cm margin of normal tissue
endocrine therapy
therapy aimed at reducing hormone levels that may continue to foster growth of a tumour