THE DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF BREAST PROBLEMS DURING PREGNANCY AND LACTATION

BACKGROUND: In addition to mastitis, lactational breast abscesses, and several other benign conditions unique to the puerperium, pregnant wo men may develop any of the other breast problems seen in the nonpregna nt female population, This review deals with the diagnosis and managem ent of breast problems during pregnancy and lactation. DATA SOURCES: A literature review of the evaluation, technique of biopsy, and treatme nt of cancer in pregnant women was conducted. CONCLUSIONS: The most co mmon problems fall into a spectrum of infectious complications from mi lk stasis or mastitis to frank abscess formation, Galactoceles, noninf ected milk-filled cysts, present as tender masses; aspiration is both diagnostic and curative, Benign fibroadenomas occasionally enlarge sig nificantly or infarct during pregnancy. A physiologic nipple discharge is common during pregnancy, and may be bloody, Rare cases of massive breast hypertrophy during pregnancy have been reported. The mortality of breast cancer during pregnancy is related to delay: compared stage- for-stage with nonpregnant controls, the prognosis is similar. As a ge neral rule, the cancer should be treated surgically and the pregnancy may be allowed to progress.