Clinical Evaluation of Breast in Childhood

Abstract

Childhood breast masses are mostly benign conditions starting from the newborn period continuing on to adolescence yet can cause high anxiety in the child and the family as well. As a complaint or physical finding, usually palpable mass, pain or discharge from the nipple is apparent in patients. All the clinicians interested in pediatric field should have full knowledge of immature and developing breasts so to proper diagnose and avoid overtreatment with unnecessary diagnostic or surgical procedures. Though malignancy or life-threatening disease has a very low probability during childhood, all child patients should be evaluated and followed up carefully. Especially training and then encouraging young people to periodically start self-assessment of the breasts after their 19th birthday while warning the ones who have had therapeutic chest radiation previously to begin self-assessment 8 years after the procedure or at 25 years of age whichever comes last, will be an appropriate intervention.