Inflammation of the breast.

The primary care physician usually is the first person to see patients complaining of breast pain or nipple discharge. The diagnosis of lactational mastitis is evident because of the history The major consideration is prompt and effective treatment and close follow-up evaluation. Failure to respond to appropriate therapy should suggest abscess formation, and prompt intervention is required. Any diagnosis of mastitis in a patient who is not lactating should be viewed with suspicion. Although several benign and non-life-threatening conditions have been discussed herein, inflammatory breast cancer must always be considered.