Page Contents
OVERVIEW
This page is dedicated to providing more information about how to perform a physical exam for an adolescent female palpable breast mass.
WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF THE INTERVIEW?
It can be difficult to evaluate a patient effectively if the goals of the patient encounter are not clear to the examiner. In the case of performing the physical exam for an adolescent female palpable breast mass, here are some general goals that can help direct the exam.
- Is malignancy likely in this patient? When considering any breast mass the fear is that it might be cancerous. A portion of the physical exam will try and further investigate if malignancy in the adolescent should be seriously considered.
CHANGES IN VISUAL APPEARANCE
Appearance of the nipple can help point to a diagnosis in certain cases.
- Blue appearance of nipple/blue mass under nipple: this can be seen in patient with mammary duct ectasia
LOCATION OF THE MASS
CONSISTENCY OF THE MASS
MOBILITY OF THE MASS
NIPPLE DISCHARGE
ASSOCAITED LYMPHADENOPATHY
Page Updated: 01.04.2016