Breast Lump

This condition is treated in the Breast surgery clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

All referrals should comply to the referral standards and also include:

• Clinical examination - good description of changes such as new discrete lump, new lump in pre-existing nodularity
• Presence of asymmetrically nodularity that persists at review after menstruation
• Abscess
• Cyst persistently refilling or recurrent cyst
• Note of investigations ordered and name of service referred to

Tests

• Imaging (mammography and/or ultrasound, depending on age and degree of clinical suspicion)
• Needle biopsy (preferably core biopsy if suspicious for cancer; FNA). This cannot be organised through Royal Hobart Hospital and should be organised prior to referral with copies to clinic but should not delay referral in urgent or suspicious cases

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Breast Surgery clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

Ensure that all tests are copied to Breast Surgery Clinic.

Simple analgesia, well supported bra may help.

Abscesses need to be treated with antibiotics while waiting for referral.

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

http://canceraustralia.gov.au/clinical-practice-guidelines/breast-cancer

Clinic appointments

🚩 Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Emergency

🚩 Unwell patient with systemic symptoms with breast abscess

If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call triple zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

Learn more about when to access emergency care and non-emergency care options if the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening.

Urgent (Category 1)

🚩 Newly diagnosed breast cancer

🚩 Strongly suspected breast cancer

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review and the referral must be faxed.

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.

Availability

North

Launceston General Hospital
Level 3 - Specialist Clinics

Phone: 1300 977 694
Fax: 03 6777 5227

North West

North West Regional Hospital
Phone: 6430 6599
Fax: 6464 1928

Mersey Community Hospital
Phone: 6441 5943 or 0409 924 496

South

Liverpool Clinics (Level 7)
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 9941