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:
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Perform a complete physical examination to:
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Locate any lump and feel its characteristics (i.e., texture, size, and relationship to the skin and chest muscles).
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Look for changes in the nipples or the skin of the breast.
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Check lymph nodes under the arm and above the collarbones.
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Request imaging tests, including:
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If there is discharge, other than breast milk, from the nipples, request a laboratory microscopic examination of the discharge.
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If there is discharge, other than breast milk, from the nipples, request a ductogram X-ray of the nipples.
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Request a biopsy of tissue removed from the suspicious area.
What are the different types of biopsy?
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Image-guided biopsies--those aided by ultrasound or other imaging techniques, including:
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Fine needle aspiration--a very fine (thin) needle is guided into the suspicious area and a small sample of the tissue is removed.
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Core needle biopsy--a larger needle is guided into the lump to remove a small cylinder (core) of tissue.
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Surgical biopsy--a surgical procedure is used to remove all or part of a lump.