Which clinical sign of breast carcinoma results directly from invasion and shortening of the suspensory ligaments of Cooper?

• A Peau d'orange
• B Nipple discharge
• C Fixed mass to the pectoralis major
• D Skin dimpling over the tumour ✓

Explanation

Cooper's ligaments anchor the skin to the underlying breast fascia. Malignant infiltration shortens them, pulling the overlying skin inward to produce focal dimpling that accentuates when the patient raises her arms. Peau d'orange results from dermal lymphatic obstruction and oedema, not ligament shortening, and chest wall fixation involves pectoral muscle or intercostal invasion.

Reference: Sabiston Textbook of Surgery, 21st ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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