Diagnosing Benign (Noncancerous) Breast Conditions
How are benign breast conditions and infections diagnosed?
In addition to obtaining a complete medical history, your health care provider, in diagnosing a breast condition, may:
-
Perform a complete physical examination to:
-
Locate any lump and feel its characteristics (i.e., texture, size, and relationship to the skin and chest muscles).
-
Look for changes in the nipples or the skin of the breast.
-
Check lymph nodes under the arm and above the collarbones.
-
Request imaging tests, including:
-
If there is discharge, other than breast milk, from the nipples, request a laboratory microscopic examination of the discharge.
-
If there is discharge, other than breast milk, from the nipples, request a ductogram X-ray of the nipples.
-
Request a biopsy of tissue removed from the suspicious area.
What are the different types of biopsy?
-
Image-guided biopsies--those aided by ultrasound or other imaging techniques, including:
-
Fine needle aspiration--a very fine (thin) needle is guided into the suspicious area and a small sample of the tissue is removed.
-
Core needle biopsy--a larger needle is guided into the lump to remove a small cylinder (core) of tissue.
-
Surgical biopsy--a surgical procedure is used to remove all or part of a lump.
Online Medical Reviewer:
Freeborn, Donna, PhD, CNM, FNP
Online Medical Reviewer:
Stump-Sutliff, Kimberly, RN, MSN
Last Annual Review Date:
8/4/2011
© 2000-2012 Krames StayWell, 780 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.