Case 4
32 year old female with many years history of upper breast mass, about 4-5 cm from the nipple, relatively soft and mobile to palpation, no family history of breast cancer
Question 1:
Is the history suggestive of breast cancer?
No, but it still must be excluded in any patient with a palpable breast mass
Question 2:
Is fat a common finding in breast cancers?
No. Fat is much more commonly seen in a variety of benign lesions in the breast.
Case 4
Current mammogram
Question 3:
Where is this lesion located?
This image is labeled RML so it is a Right medio-lateral view. The mass is clearly seen in the upper breast, but this image alone will not tell you whether it is medial or lateral. On the CC view, the mass was right in the middle, so it is in the 12:00 position.
Case 4
Mammogram from 4 years earlier (click on 'X' to return to Case List)
Question 4:
Given that the mass has not changed significantly in 4 years, what would you do next?
Most masses that are stable for over 2 years do not need any further followup, other than routine screening starting at age 40. This mass, that shows a mixture of fat and soft tissue, is most consistent with a hamartoma, a benign growth in the breast.
