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Case 16 - A 35-Year-Old with a Left Breast Mass at 35 Weeks

from Section 2 - Antepartum (Mid-trimester)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 April 2025

Peter F. Schnatz
Affiliation:
The Reading Hospital, Pennsylvania
D. Yvette LaCoursiere
Affiliation:
University of California, San Diego
Christopher M. Morosky
Affiliation:
University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Jonathan Schaffir
Affiliation:
The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Vanessa Torbenson
Affiliation:
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
David Chelmow
Affiliation:
Virginia Commonwealth School of Medicine
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Summary

Traditionally, pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) is defined as breast cancer that occurs in pregnancy, within 12 months postpartum, or during lactation. It is the most common cancer noted in pregnancy and is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in pregnant and lactating patients. Due to the physiologic changes in pregnancy, there is often a delay in diagnosing PABC. Patients who present with a palpable breast mass in pregnancy or 1 year postpartum should be immediately evaluated. Breast ultrasound is the initial imaging modality used to evaluate a mass in pregnancy. Mammography is safe and can be used as an adjunct in the evaluation of breast concerns in pregnant and lactating patients. A breast mass that is present in pregnancy, postpartum, or during lactation most often does not represent malignancy, however, it is imperative that the mass be evaluated appropriately.

Type
Chapter
Information
Pregnancy Complications
A Case-Based Approach
, pp. 48 - 50
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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References

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