Diagnostic Tests for Breast swelling

Diagnostic Test list for Breast swelling:

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Breast swelling includes:

• Physical examination
  • Examination the breasts when sitting and lying flat and assess any breast lump found for position, size, shape, consistency, tenderness, mobility and attachment to the overlying skin. e.g. a hard, irregular lump is suspicious of breast cancer; a firm, smooth and mobile breast lump may suggest fibroadenoma
  • Axillary and supraclavicular lymph node examination
  • Examine to see if there is a deformity of the breast associated with any mass e.g. an orange peel appearance of the skin over the tumor, retraction of the skin, retraction of the nipple or ulceration of the skin overlying the mass suggests breast cancer
  • Examine lump to see if it transilluminates - may suggest a cyst of the breast or a galactocoele. If it does not transilluminate it is probably a benign or malignant tumor.
  • If suspect breast cancer inspect liver, lungs and spine for evidence of metastases
  • Mammogram - looking for signs of breast cancer including an irregular infiltrating mass with focal spotty microcalcification in older women . Mammography is unreliable in younger women.
• Other tests
  • Breast Ultrasound - most useful in women less than 30 years of age, for pregnant and lactating women, differentiating between fluid filled cysts and solid mass, palpable masses at periphery of breast tissue.
  • Cytological examination of any nipple discharge - for exfoliated cancer cells may be helpful in diagnosis.
  • Biopsy of breast lump - fine needle aspirate, fine needle biopsy or excisional biopsy.
  • Biopsy of nipple erosion if suspect Paget's disease

Home Diagnostic Testing

These home medical tests may be relevant to Breast swelling causes:

• Colon & Rectal Cancer: Home Testing
  • Home Colorectal Cancer Tests
  • Home Fecal Occult Bleeding Tests
• Menopause: Related Home Testing:
  • Home Menopause Tests
  • Home FSH Hormone Tests
  • Home Osteoporosis Testing
• Vaginal Health: Home Testing:
  • Home Vaginal Infection Tests
  • Home Vaginal PH Tests
  • Home Yeast Infection Tests
  • Home Candida Kits
  • Home Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Test Kits
  • Home Bladder Test Kits
• Breast Cancer: Related Home Tests:
  • Home Breast Cancer Test Kits
  • Home Breast Lump Detection
• Cancer-Related Home Testing:
  • Home Prostate Testing
  • Home Prostate PSA Antigen Tests
  • Home Colorectal Cancer Testing
  • Home Fecal Occult Bleeding Testing
  • Home Breast Cancer Testing
  • Home Breast Lump Detection Kits

 » Next page: Glossary

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