Abstract

Clinical Features of Palpable Breast Masses in Patients Presenting to Tertiary Care Hospital in Northern India: A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Breast problems can present themselves in a number of ways like breast pain, nipple discharge, cystic lesions and more commonly as a lump. A lump in the breast is of great concern to the patients and is also a challenge to the diagnostic intelligence and judgement of the surgeon. Fibroadenoma is the most common benign breast mass, invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common malignancy. Most masses are benign, but breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women.

Materials and methods: The study was conducted over a period of 1½ years in patients attending the surgical OPD of associated hospital, GMC Rajouri. All patients were subjected to complete clinical examination and evaluation. This involved thorough history taking including personal history, especially with respect to previous breast cancer or biopsies with benign histology, family history of breast or ovarian cancer, abnormalities suspicious of malignancy (e.g. palpable mass, skin retraction, nipple discharge). Clinical examination of breast mass included inspection and palpation.

Results: Out of 60 patients, 31 had left sided masses, 28 had right sided masses and 1 had bilateral mass. Most common symptoms of studied patient were pain in 25 followed by nipple discharge in 7 followed by weight loss in 6. Most common site involved was upper outer quadrant, followed by upper inner quadrant, followed by lower outer quadrant, followed by central region followed by lower inner quadrant.

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