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DID REMBRANDT’S BATHSHEBA REALLY HAVE BREAST CANCER?
Author(s) -
Bourne R. G.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.111
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 0004-8682
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1622.2000.01792.x
Subject(s) - medicine , axilla , breast cancer , mastitis , abnormality , left breast , abscess , dermatology , cancer , surgery , pathology , psychiatry
Background : Rembrandt’s Bathsheba (Louvre, Paris) reveals an abnormality of the left breast and axilla. Previously breast cancer has been suggested as the probable diagnosis. Methods : The present paper reviews the clinical history as well as the clinical findings. Results : Inconsistencies, pitfalls in the diagnosis and the consequences of the possibility of a different model for the body of the figure are discussed. Conclusion : An alternative diagnosis of an infective process such as tuberculous mastitis or, less likely, chronic lactational breast abscess is suggested.