ABSTRACT
The NCCN Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis have been developed to facilitate clinical decision making. This manuscript discusses the diagnostic evaluation of individuals with suspected breast cancer due to either abnormal imaging and/or physical findings. For breast cancer screening recommendations, please see the full guidelines on NCCN.org.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Early Detection of Cancer/standards , Mass Screening/standards , Medical Oncology/standards , Adult , Age Factors , Biopsy/methods , Biopsy/standards , Breast/diagnostic imaging , Breast/pathology , Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Breast Neoplasms/prevention & control , Clinical Decision-Making/methods , Early Detection of Cancer/methods , Female , Humans , Incidence , Mammography/methods , Mammography/standards , Mass Screening/methods , Medical Oncology/methods , Middle Aged , Societies, Medical/standards , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Although palpable and mammographic breast masses are common and frequently reflect underlying fibrocystic change, they must be distinguished from breast malignancy. Clinical characterization of these masses is often unreliable, and mammographic appearances alone cannot distinguish between those that are solid and those that are cystic. Sonography is an important adjunct to characterize these abnormalities further. Management of solid masses is well established, but overlap in appearance of cystic lesions has led to variability in reporting and management. With current high-resolution ultrasound, specific observations can accurately characterize most cystic masses, thereby facilitating management decisions.
