After palpating a tender lump in a breast that is suspicious for an inflamed cyst, you should:

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Diagnosing a breast issue depends upon imaging in the vast majority of cases. A very rare exception, for example, would be an obvious inflammatory breast cancer. Aspirating under manual guidance is incorrect for several reasons, including the common occurrence of normal lumpy and tender breast tissue that can be shown to be normal by imaging and left untouched by a needle. Also many tender breast cysts resolve spontaneously and if they do not, aspiration is far more complete with ultrasound guidance. Referring the patient to the surgeon for excision is not appropriate given everything discussed in the chapter. Breast tenderness alone is not diagnostic of mastitis; additional physical findings such as erythema should be present.

After Palpating a Tender Lump in a Breast That Is