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Breast diseases
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The mammary gland is a glandular organ that produces milk in women after giving birth (lactation) to feed the baby. In men, they are normally underdeveloped and do not function. The breast has a rich innervation and blood supply. Functionally it is associated with the hormonal system regulating its function, and the vegetative part of the nervous system, therefore it is an erogenous zone.
[Symptoms of the diseases of the breast
Typical complaints that indicate the presence of breast disease are: pain, increased volume, the presence of seals, discharge from the nipple, skin changes. From an anamnesis it is necessary to find out the time of occurrence, duration, periodicity, connection with lactation, menstruation, pathology of other organs, especially endocrine glands.
Diagnostics of the diseases of the breast
The inspection is performed standing with hands laid on the head, then lying down. Pay attention to their symmetry, size, shape, the presence of deformations. Carefully study the skin, color, the presence of retraction, ulceration, swelling, strengthening of the venous pattern, the state of areolas (contours, puffiness) and nipples (flattening or retraction).
Palpation is carried out first in a standing position, then lying down. First one palpates one breast, then another, comparing symmetrical sites. Begin palpation with a superficial, circular movements from the nipple to the periphery, revealing superficial seals or tumors, painful patches. When the compaction is detected, its size, shape, consistency, mobility, connection with the skin and surrounding tissues, morbidity during palpation is determined.
Establish the symptom König (palpation palm cancer node is determined equally clearly when standing and lying, with dyshormonal seals in the flattened form of the chest, they palpate less clearly or even disappear); Krause's symptom (by capturing the skin of areolas, determine the presence of thickening on the side of the lesion). Lightly squeezing and convergence of the skin above the knot reveals symptoms of breast disease: skin wrinkling, dulling, flattening, restriction of mobility, orange peel - symptoms of breast cancer that are characteristic of cancer. When palpation of the nipples, the compaction is revealed, full or partial retraction, separation from it.
After the examination, palpation of the lymph nodes is mandatory: axillary and subclavian (the patient puts her hands on the doctor's shoulders), supraclavicular (the doctor is located behind the big one, she tilts the head towards the palpation zone).
In all cases of detection of breast disease, mastopathy, detection or suspicion of a tumor, the patient should be consulted by a gynecologist, endocrinologist and sent to a specialist mammologist who performs additional research, ultrasound, mammography, doptography, biopsy, etc. In detecting tuberculosis or syphilis of the breast the patient is referred to the appropriate institutions. Surgeons only deal with the treatment of mastitis and actinomycosis.
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