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