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Article: Evaluation and Management of Breast Pain
- Article from:
- Mayo Clinic Proceedings
- Article date:
- March 1, 2004
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Mar 2004. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Pain is one of the most common breast symptoms experienced by women. It can be severe enough to interfere with usual daily activities, but the etiology and optimal treatment remain undefined. Breast pain is typically approached according to its classification as cyclic mastalgia, noncyclic mastal
gia, and extramammary (nonbreast) pain. Cyclic mastalgia is breast pain that has a clear relationship to the menstrual cycle. Noncyclic mastalgia may be constant or intermittent but is not associated with the menstrual cycle and often occurs after menopause. Extramammary pain arises from the chest wall or other sources and is interpreted as having a cause within the breast. The risk of cancer in a ...