title: Differential diagnosis of a breast mass.
abstract: The differential diagnosis of breast masses by the primary care provider should be based on thorough history and physical assessment, age-appropriate diagnostic tools, and careful follow-up. Confident determination of the benign nature of most breast lumps, combined with consistent screening measures, will promote optimum breast health. Additionally, early diagnosis of breast cancer is clearly enhanced by early detection of symptoms and contributes to successful treatment.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Oncology Center, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Ziegfeld
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008593:Menopause; D010808:Physical Examination; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed