Differential diagnosis of breast cancer

When diagnosing breast cancer, it should be differentiated from breast fibroadenoma, chronic mastitis and abscess, breast cystic hyperplasia, inflammatory cell mastitis, breast tuberculosis, and breast malignant lymphoma.

1. Breast fibroadenoma: The tumors are mostly round or oval, with clear boundaries, high mobility and slow development.

2. Chronic mastitis and abscess: Abscesses often form, which feel like lumps when touched. They have unclear edges and are cystic in feel. There may be mild tenderness and a slight sense of adhesion to the surrounding tissues.

3. Cystic mammary hyperplasia: Cystic mammary hyperplasia is manifested by breast tenderness and lumps which may be cyclical and related to the menstrual cycle.

4. Plasma cell mastitis: More than 60% of plasma cell mastitis presents as acute inflammation, and the skin may show orange peel-like changes when the lump is large. 40% of patients present with chronic inflammation from the beginning, manifested as a lump near the areola with unclear boundaries, skin adhesion and nipple retraction.

5. Breast tuberculosis: It is a chronic inflammation of breast tissue caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It manifests locally as a lump in the breast. The lump is hard and tough, and some areas may feel cystic. The boundaries of the lump are sometimes unclear, the range of motion may be limited, and there may be pain, but there is no periodicity.

6. Malignant lymphoma of the breast: It manifests as a rapidly enlarging mass, which sometimes occupies the entire breast. The mass is massive, nodular, or lobed, with clear boundaries, a firm, elastic texture, and no adhesion to the skin or breast.