Medical Terminology for Breast Abscess
A breast abscess is simply called a breast abscess in medical terminology—there is no alternative or specialized medical term for this condition. 1
Clinical Context and Classification
Breast abscesses are categorized based on their relationship to lactation:
Puerperal (lactational) breast abscess: Occurs during breastfeeding, typically within the first 100 days postpartum (68.8% occur within the first 60 days), most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus and streptococcal bacteria. 1, 2
Non-puerperal (non-lactational) breast abscess: Occurs outside of lactation, often associated with periductal mastitis or duct ectasia, and represents an increasing proportion of breast abscesses seen in clinical practice. 3, 4, 5
Clinical Presentation
Breast abscesses present as a focal inflammatory process with specific characteristics:
- Focal pain that may precede induration, redness, warmth, and fever 1
- Palpable fluctuant mass or collection of purulent material 2, 5
- Associated with noncyclical breast pain when symptomatic 1
Important Clinical Distinction
A critical pitfall is confusing breast abscess with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), which can present with similar erythema and edema but has distinct diagnostic criteria requiring erythema occupying at least one-third of the breast, rapid onset within 6 months, and pathological confirmation of invasive carcinoma. 1 Approximately 10% of mastitis cases progress to breast abscess formation, which requires drainage. 1
The term "breast abscess" itself is the standard medical nomenclature used in clinical practice, guidelines, and medical literature without alternative terminology. 1, 3, 2, 4, 5