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Milk‐rejection sign: A clinical observation
Author(s) -
Goldsmith Harry S.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(196608)19:8<1185::aid-cncr2820190822>3.0.co;2-3
Subject(s) - medicine , breastfeeding , breast cancer , mammography , biopsy , breast feeding , obstetrics , lactation , pediatrics , gynecology , radiology , cancer , pregnancy , genetics , biology
A clinical observation has been noted among lactating females with breast cancer. Four women with this lesion have been seen who reported that their infants, who had been nursing since birth from both breasts, abruptly began to refuse milk from one breast. In the rejected breast a mass later was discovered which, when biopsied, proved to be malignant. It is postulated that the milk‐rejection phenomenon results from changes in either the taste, odor or consistency of the milk which renders it objectionable to the infant. Biopsy should be undertaken if a lactating mother reports a lump in her breast in the presence of the milk‐rejection sign. Mammography may prove of value if milk rejection is reported with no obvious breast mass or in association with multiple breast nodules. The frequent practice of assuming all breast masses in a nursing mother are due to lactational abnormalities requiring only watchful waiting is condemned.