Examination of the Breast

BREAST

History

    • Age-

    • Residence-

    • Social Status-

    • Lump-

    • Pain-

    • Discharge from nipple-

    • Retraction of nipple-

    • Loss of weight-

    • Past History-

    • Personal History-

    • Family History-

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

Local examination

INSPECTION-

    1. Breasts-

    2. Skin over the Breast-

    3. Nipple-

    4. Areola-

    5. Arm & Thorax-

    6. Axilla & Supraclavicular fossa-

    7. The patient is asked to raise her arms above her head-

PALPATION-

    1. Local temperature & tenderness-

    2. Situation-

    3. Number-

    4. Size & Shape-

    5. Surface-

    6. Margin-

    7. Consistency-

    8. Fluctuation-

    9. Transillumination test-

    10. Fixity to the skin-

    11. Fixity to the breast tissue-

    12. Fixity to the underlying fascia and muscles-

    13. Fixity to the chest wall-

    14. Palpation of the nipple-

EXAMINATION OF LYMPH NODES-

A. Palpation of the axillary group of lymph nodes-

    1. Pectoral group-

    2. Brachial group-

    3. Subscapular group-

    4. Central group-

    5. Apical group-

B. Palpation of Cervical lymph nodes-

General Examination-

Special investigation for Breast disease

Differential diagnosis for breast disease

CLINICAL WORKUP OF A PATIENT WITH BREAST LUMP

Locally Advanced Breast Cancer

Breast Examination