INFLAMMATORY BREAST LESIONS

Acute mastitis and breast abscess formation- occurs commonly in the postpartum period- cracks in the nipple -potential route of bacteria (stasis of the milk)

• staphylococcus aureus-the most common infecting agent

• grossly: redness of the skin, swelling, pain, tenderness

Chronic mastitis- chronic inflammation of the breast is uncommon

• it occurs in perimenopausal women as a result of obstruction of the lactiferous ducts by inspissated luminal secretions
• mammary duct ectasia- involved ducts are dilated
• periductal inflammation- plasma cell mastitis
• in other instances- rupture of small ducts- release of the secretions into the stroma- cellular reaction with accumulation of foamy macrophages- granulomatous mastitis
• grossly: iregular fibrosis with induration of the involved area- may cause nipple retraction- mimics symptoms of breast cancer

Fat necrosis

• is uncommon, but important lesion, because this may produce large and sclerosing masses- thus the lesion may mimick macroscopically breast cancer
• cause is unknown, or trauma or ischemia (in large pendulous breasts)
• in early stage- fat necrosis is characterized-by accumulation of neutrophils and histiocytes
• later- replaced by granulation tissue - numerous foamy histiocytes-grayish-white firm lesion- clinically resemble cancer

Category: Pathology Notes