Extra-Lobular Research Papers

The extra-lobular ducts of the breast link together and form sub-segmental ducts, which in turn form the segmental ducts. These ducts drain milk from different segments or lobes of the breast. In total, the breast consists of 15 to 20 lobes, which are roughly pyramidal in shape with the apex directed towards the nipple The non-epithelial component of the breast consists mainly of fatty tissue. There are no muscles in the actual breast, but there are a series of muscles behind and underneath the breasts. These muscles work together with a ligament called
Cooper ligament to support the weight of the breasts (Chu et al., 1988). Breasts contain lymph vessels, which are very important in fighting against diseases in that go through the breast
Breast cancer is developed when the cells of the breast become abnormal
(malignant) and spread without order or control. The malignant cells then form a tissue and turn into a tumor. This tumor typically grows into nearby tissues or breaks away and enters the bloodstream or lymphatic system which can affect other organs. The spreading of breast cancer is generally referred to as metastasis
(Kopans, 1989).
The most common and effective method for detecting breast tumors in their early stages is by performing mammogram screening. Mammography is currently the most effective modality used to detect tumors in the breast tissue (Sickles, 1997), (Anttinen et al., 1993), (De Koning et al., 1995), (Hendee et al., 1999), (Tabar et al., 1985), (Thurfjell et al., 1994) that can indicate potential clinical problems, such as the: asymmetries between breasts, architectural distortion, confluent densities associated with benign fibrosis, microcalcification clusters (MCCs) and mass lesions. By far, the two most common features that are typically associated with breast tumors are MCCs and mass lesions, which are discussed in the following