During breast examination,the nurse notes that the woman's nipple is flat,broad,and fixed.The patient states that this "started happening a few months ago." This finding suggests:

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The retracted nipple looks flatter and broader,like an underlying crater.Recent retraction suggests cancer,which causes fibrosis of the entire duct system and pulls in the nipple.Retraction also may occur with benign lesions such as ectasia of the ducts.Do not confuse retraction with the normal longstanding type of nipple inversion,in which broadening is not seen and the nipple is not fixed.

During Breast Examination,the Nurse Notes That the Woman's Nipple Is