The lobes are supported by fibrous stroma and fatty stroma. Each breast has 15 to 20 lobes, which are drained by lactiferous ducts that converge beneath the nipple in the subareolar region. The breast, or mammary gland, is a modified sweat gland containing various fibrous tissue, glandular tissue, and adipose tissue. Such an approach will be described in this article, with examples throughout of the common breast pathologies encountered.

In general, the approach should follow the triple-assessment pathway of clinical examination, radiological imaging, and pathology analysis. īreast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide, with an incidence of approximately 12%, and therefore although the vast majority of breast lumps are benign, a thorough and structured approach is required in all cases. Indeed, male breast cancer is a well-documented condition and requires a considered index of suspicion for its timely diagnosis and intervention.

Although the majority of breast masses present in adult women, children and men can also be affected. Breast masses have a wide range of causes, from physiological adenosis to highly aggressive malignancy. Over 25% of women are affected by breast disease in their lifetime, and the vast majority of these cases will present initially as a new breast mass in the primary care setting. Breast lumps or masses are very common, particularly among women of reproductive age.

Fibrocystic breast changes upper