Breast cancer is the second most common malignancy in women in the
United States, only second in recent years to lung cancer. About 20% of breast masses that are palpated (felt) end up being malignant in origin..
Anatomy
Figure 1 - Anatomy of the breast in a cross-section
through the nipple.
The breast is composed of a tissue made up of many glands
extending from the clavicle (collarbone), to the axilla (armpit), to the fascia of the pectoralis muscle, and toward the arch or the ribs. Lactiferous (milk) ducts of the breast form buds that become 15 to 20 lobules of glandular tissue. The function of the ducts is to secrete milk, which travels to the nipple in a radial fashion The blood supply to the breast is from branches of the axillary and internal thoracic (mammary) arteries. These vessels enter the breast in a radial pattern Blood drains from the breast from branches of the axillary, internal thoracic, lateral thoracic, and the posterior intercostal veins Lymph is a tissue fluid similar in composition to dilute plasma. Drainage of lymph from the breast is illustrated in figure 2.