Cancer is the second most common breast lesion after fibrocystic changes of the breast.

Breast cancer is asymptomatic. Malignant tumors are usually found on breast self-examination or during a routine physical examination. To be palpable, a tumor has to reach a size of 1 cm. In patients with large, pendulous breasts, detection of a tumor that size is difficult; the tumor may even be completely missed. But the increased use of screening mammography has resulted in more breast cancers being diagnosed in the subclinical stage – either as small, nonpalpable tumors or as microcalcifications.

BREAST CANCER OVERVIEW

In women, among all lesions of the breast, the incidence of cancerous lesions is 28%–30%. Although beast cancer has been diagnosed in patients in their late teens, the incidence at that age is low. Breast cancer reaches its highest incidence in patients between the ages of 45 and 50. The incidence declines somewhat in patients between the ages of 50 and 59, but then peaks again as the patient ages beyond 59 years.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

Breast cancers are most commonly located in the upper outer quadrant of the breast – chiefly because that quadrant contains the greater volume of breast tissue. In order of decreasing frequency, the next most common locations are the upper inner, lower outer, and lower inner quadrants.