While breast-feeding her 3-month-old infant, the mother notices the breast area is hard, inflamed, and tender to touch. The clinic nurse explains that this is likely caused by:

Question

A) Intraductal papillomas
B) Secretory cell hyperplasia
C) Fibrocystic tissue changes
D) Ascending bacterial infection

Answer 1

Ans: D
Feedback:
Mastitis is inflammation of the breast. In the lactating woman, inflammation results from an ascending infection that travels from the nipple to the ductal structures. The most common organisms isolated are Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus. Fibrocystic changes, formerly called fibrocystic breast disease, are nondiscrete nodules in a woman without breast disease. The mammary alveoli are lined with secretory cells capable of producing milk or fluid under the proper hormonal conditions. The route of descent of milk and other breast secretions is from alveoli to duct, to intralobar duct, to lactiferous duct and reservoir, to nipple. Intraductal papillomas are benign epithelial tissue tumors that manifest with a bloody nipple discharge.