In breast imaging, a benign mass is more likely to be which orientation?

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Multiple Choice

In breast imaging, a benign mass is more likely to be which orientation?

Benign breast masses tend to grow along the natural tissue planes, so they appear wider than tall on imaging. This horizontal growth gives an oval or round silhouette with smooth margins, as seen with common benign lesions like fibroadenomas. Malignant lesions often invade perpendicularly to those planes, yielding a taller-than-wide orientation that raises suspicion for cancer. While a round shape can be seen in benign lesions and irregular margins are more concerning, the width-over-height pattern is the best orientation clue for a benign mass.

Benign breast masses tend to grow along the natural tissue planes, so they appear wider than tall on imaging. This horizontal growth gives an oval or round silhouette with smooth margins, as seen with common benign lesions like fibroadenomas. Malignant lesions often invade perpendicularly to those planes, yielding a taller-than-wide orientation that raises suspicion for cancer. While a round shape can be seen in benign lesions and irregular margins are more concerning, the width-over-height pattern is the best orientation clue for a benign mass.

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