Clinical Examination of the Breast

Abstract

• Clinical examination of the breast is the weakest test of the “triple diagnostic assessment”, but may be decisive to solve many common symptoms as breast pain, inflammatory changes, acute enlargement of cysts, and many more. • The basic goal of clinical breast examination is to identify a palpable dominant mass, which by definition is a three-dimensional distinct mass that is different from the remainder of the breast tissue and from the tissue of the other breast (not symmetrical). • A dominant breast mass should be definitively diagnosed in a timely manner (old or already recorded, newly or firstly discovered, changing over time, etc.). • Even though a dominant mass in a woman under the age of 40 is most likely benign, a new dominant mass in a postmenopausal woman is most likely malignant.

Future directions. The breast surgical oncologist must be highly trained in the differential diagnosis of benign breast entity, appreciate absolute and relative risk, understand genetic counselling and testing, be able to keep up with technological advances in the field, have a keen understanding of molecular diagnostic, and much more. In order to gain breast clinical experience, it is crucial to find many mentors early and lavishly utilize their support.