Noticing a Firmness in the Breast: Could It Be Cancer? A Case Presentation of a Breast Mass

Duruk M., Limnili G.

Uluslararası Ege Bölgesi Aile Hekimliği Kongresi , İzmir, Türkiye, 2 - 04 Mayıs 2025, ss.135-136, (Özet Bildiri)

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: İzmir
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.135-136
  • Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Noticing a Firmness in the Breast: Could It Be Cancer? A Case Presentation of a Breast Mass

Dr. Merve DURUK, Dr. Gizem LİMNİLİ

Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, İzmir, Turkey

Introduction:

Palpable breast masses are frequently encountered in young women and are most often benign. Nonetheless, the possibility of malignancy must always be considered, and each case should be thoroughly evaluated. Although breast cancer is relatively uncommon in younger populations, it can remain asymptomatic in early stages. Therefore, accurate diagnosis, timely referral, and consistent follow-up are essential components of management. In primary care settings, educating women on proper breast self-examination (BSE) techniques is a key strategy for early detection.

Case Summary:

A 20-year-old female presented to the primary care clinic with a firm, painless mass in her left breast, first noticed one week prior. She had been previously educated on breast self-examination (BSE) six months earlier. Her medical and family history were unremarkable, and she reported no systemic symptoms such as weight loss, fever.

Physical examination revealed a well-defined, mobile, non-tender mass approximately 2 cm in diameter in the lateral quadrant of the left breast. There were no skin changes or signs and lymphadenopathy in the axillary region.

The patient was referred to a general surgery outpatient clinic for further evaluation. Breast ultrasonography identified multiple cysts and hypoechoic areas, with the largest lesion measuring 1 cm in the upper outer quadrant of the left breast. The findings were categorized as BI-RADS 3. She was scheduled for a follow-up ultrasound in six months and placed under clinical surveillance.

Conclusion:

BI-RADS 3 lesions, while generally benign, require regular follow-up due to a slight risk of malignancy. If stable over 2–3 years, they can be considered benign, though changes such as growth or suspicious calcifications may prompt BI-RADS 4 or 5 reclassification. This case highlights the importance of BSE education in early detection. Primary care physicians are instrumental in BSE education and ensuring appropriate referrals for early diagnosis and management.

Keywords: Breast mass, breast self-examination, primary healthcare