ABSTRACT
The female breast is in the unique position of being a gland which is non-functional except during lactation. It is, nevertheless, subject to hormonal influences, particularly throughout reproductive life, and this probably accounts for most of its pathological changes, which rarely affect the male. By far the most important disease is carcinoma, which usually presents as a palpable lump. Other lesions are mostly of significance because some of them also produce a lump or lumpiness of the breast or other symptoms which raise the suspicion of carcinoma and must therefore be investigated. The commonest of these are the fibroadenoma, which are most frequent in the third decade, and fibrocystic change, which presents particularly in the premenopausal decade. Because of the liability of the breast to injury, traumatic fat necrosis is another cause of a firm lump. Duct ectasia (dilatation of ducts) and duct papilloma may each, like carcinoma, cause a discharge from the nipple. Infection of the breast is rare except during lactation and most congenital abnormalities are of minor importance.
