Axillary nodes- drain the majority of the breast including the tail of spence (clasp)

Pectoral nodes

Subscapular nodes

Lateral nodes

?locatio and what area they drain?

(these 3 drain into the central nodes)

• Pectoral nodes—anterior, located along the lower border of the pectoralis major inside the anterior axillary fold. These nodes drain the anterior chest wall and much of the breast.
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• Subscapular nodes—posterior, located along the lateral border of the scapula; palpated deep in the posterior axillary fold. They drain the posterior chest wall and a portion of the arm.
• Lateral nodes—located along the upper humerus. They drain most of the arm.

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer in women worldwide, accounting for more than 10% of cancers in women. In the United States a woman born now has a 12%, or 1 in 8, lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. The probability of diagnosis over the next 10 years increases by decade

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, with highest mortality rates in women 35 years or younger and older than 75 years. There are several trends of note

1-every 3 years in women 20 to 40 years

2- annually after 40 years

breast cancer

(Thickening of the skin and unusually prominent pores may accompany lymphatic obstruction)

1-Asymmetry of directions in which nipples point suggests

2-Rash or ulceration of breast

1-an underlying cancer

2-Paget's disease of the breast

Dimpling or retraction of the breasts in these positions suggests an underlying cancer. When a cancer or its associated fibrous strands are attached to both the skin and the fascia overlying the pectoral muscles, pectoral contraction can draw the skin inward, causing dimpling

(Occasionally, these signs may be associated with benign lesions such as posttraumatic fat necrosis or mammary duct ectasia, but they must always be further evaluated)

A thorough examination will take 3 minutes for each breast. Use the finger-pads of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fingers, keeping the fingers slightly flexed

and lift the pt's elbo up until it is even with shoulder

breast cancer

(Cysts, inflamed areas; some cancers may be tender)

1-A mobile mass that becomes fixed when the arm relaxes is attached to 

2- if fixed when the hand is pressed against the hip, it is attached to

1-the ribs and intercostal muscles;

2- the pectoral fascia

Gynecomastia is and arises from

(in males)

is the firm disc of glandular enlargement

an imbalance of estrogens and androgens, sometimes drug related. A hard, irregular, eccentric, or ulcerating nodule suggests breast cancer

Milky discharge unrelated to a prior pregnancy and lactation is called

2- Causes include

1-nonpuerperal galactorrhea.

2-hypothyroidism, pituitary prolactinoma, and drugs that are dopamine agonists, including many psychotropic agents and phenothiazines

intraductal papilloma, 

ductal carcinoma in situ, or Paget's disease of the breast. Clear, serous, green, black, or nonbloody discharges that are multiductal usually require only reassurance

Cysts