BENIGN AND MALIGNANT PATHOLOGIES OF THE BREAST

Puerperal mastitis: It is the infection of the mammary gland during breastfeeding. Risk factors for presenting it are unilateral breast engorgement, insufficient milk drainage, and nipple cracks. The germ that most frequently causes this entity is Staphylococcus aureus. It usually appears as localized pain, redness of the skin, and fever. Its incorrect treatment can lead to a breast abscess, which is why a breast ultrasound may be requested.

Fibroadenoma: It is the most common benign tumor and the main cause of primary tumor in women under 25 years of age. It can grow with pregnancy, breastfeeding or taking contraceptives. It does not normally cause pain, and is usually palpated as a smooth, mobile, well-defined mass, without lymphadenopathy.

Galactocele: it is a milk retention produced by the obstruction of a milk-protein in the course of breastfeeding. The puncture and extraction of milk fluid clarifies the diagnosis, not requiring any intervention.

Infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) of any particular type: it is the most common form of breast cancer. The term of no particular type is used as there are no features that can be seen under a microscope or that stand out.

Paget's disease of the breast: was first described by Paget in 1874. Its main form of presentation is in the form of an eczematous lesion on the nipple, with peeling of the skin, which may be accompanied by pruritus (itching) and irritation of this area. of the breast. It is almost always associated with the presence of ductal carcinoma in situ, although it can also be associated with invasive carcinoma. It is a rare form of breast cancer, being more frequent in women over 50 years of age. It can also appear in men.

Breast microcalcifications
: They are produced by the deposit of calcium secondary to normal processes such as breastfeeding, sequelae of inflammation, small trauma and cellular debris that are detectable on mammography. In a low percentage of women, microcalcifications tend to clump together and may have particular characteristics suspicious of malignant disease, which makes it necessary to carry out more specific studies.

Primary breast cancer: This type of breast cancer has not spread beyond the breast or the lymph nodes under the arm. It can be invasive or non-invasive. Most breast cancers are invasive and have a high probability of spreading throughout the body.