Breast Cancer Issue

The patient’s medical history

The patient’s family and medical history will be examined as part of the assessment. It is critical that the interview consider the patient’s whole medical record, including the history, to avoid misdiagnosis and the use of previously ineffective medications (Senkus et al., 2015).

Medication disclosure

In addition, the patient must disclose the medications she has used, both prescribed and over-the-counter. Also, the patient must provide evidence of earlier exams, such as a breast biopsy, which revealed the presence of atypical ductal hyperplasia in the specific case. Examining the patient, there is evidence of self-detected breast lumps, reduced appetite, weight loss, and palpable lymph nodes (Senkus et al., 2015).

Possible tests and diagnoses

Tests that could be performed include: a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound of the breast in addition to palpation exam by the doctor. In the provided case, the primary diagnosis made on the patient is a neoplastic breast lump due to the atypical ductal hyperplasia that had been identified earlier, size and consistency of the lumps. Consequently, the patient could be diagnosed with breast cysts due to the presence of fluid in the lump usually benign, lipoma as the mass could be considered slow growing and doughy but harmless after palpations, necrosis if circumscribed breast lesions are observed. Also, fibroadenoma could be made as a misdiagnosis since it presents as benign tumor and lump underneath the skin (Senkus et al., 2015).

Management of the patient

Management of the patient could include surgery to remove the lumps while it is still in the early stages. Radiation and systemic therapy could also be used to treat unidentified metastatic lymph nodes. Pharmacotherapy treatment includes the use of hormone therapy, and HER2 targeted drugs (Goldhirsch et al., 2013). The patient will then be referred to the clinic for follow-ups and continued management to ensure that they receive the necessary education to enhance self-management.

References

Goldhirsch, A., Winer, E. P., Coates, A. S., Gelber, R. D., Piccart-Gebhart, M., Thürlimann, B., ... & Bonnefoi, H. (2013). Personalizing the treatment of women with early breast cancer: highlights of the St Gallen international expert consensus on the primary therapy of early breast cancer 2013. Annals of oncology, 24(9), 2206-2223.

Senkus, E., Kyriakides, S., Ohno, S., Penault-Llorca, F., Poortmans, P., Rutgers, E., ... & Cardoso, F. (2015). Primary breast cancer: ESMO clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Annals of oncology, 26(suppl_5), v8-v30.