A 44-year-old patient diagnosed with infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast is admitted to the oncology unit. Which of the following manifestations would the nurse expect to find during her assessment of the patient?

Explanation

•The usual manifestation for infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast is a fixed, irregularly shaped mass which is often single and unilateral. The mass is also painless, nontender, and hard upon palpation.

•About 80% of all breast cancers are Infiltrating ductal carcinoma, also known as invasive ductal carcinoma. This refers to cancer that has broken through the wall of the milk duct and begun to invade the tissues of the breast. This can spread to the lymph nodes and possibly to other areas of the body.

•Pain is generally a late sign of this disorder, and involvement of the ducts makes it more likely that the mass does not move (fixed).

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