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PALPABLE BREAST MASSES

"last update: 13 May 2024"  

- Introduction

In Egypt, breast cancer is the most common malignancy among females representing 32 % of female cancers with a crude incidence rate of 35.8/1000,00 normal population and an age standardized incidence rate of 48.8/100,000 normal population [5]. Based on the first Egyptian population based national cancer registry published in 2014, the updated statistics according to the World Health Organization (WHO) in Egypt, 2020 for breast cancer is 22,038 new case each year among females with a crude incidence rate of 43.5/100,000 normal population and an age standardized incidence rate of 48.7/100,000 normal population [6].

The most prevalent sign of cancer is a palpable lump, and compared to malignancies found by screening, palpable cancers are typically more aggressive and have worse prognoses [7]. Palpable breast masses may show up in a number of situations, including: before a baseline mammogram; during routine breast self-examination or clinical breast examination; in between routine mammogram screenings; or following an extended absence from mammography due to advanced age or personal preference [8].

 

Following a comprehensive clinical breast examination, often conducted by the referring physician or a board-certified breast clinician, the radiologist must demonstrate concordance between the imaging findings and the clinically observed mass at that location [1].

 

When a palpable mass is present, the negative predictive value of mammography with ultrasonography varies from 97.4% to 100% [9-11]. Additionally, when a highly suspicious clinical finding is seen, a negative imaging evaluation shouldn't prevent a biopsy [1].