23) Breast Disease Flashcards
What changes occur to the breast structure after menarche?
Increased number of lobules, increased volume of interlobular stroma
What changes occur to the breast structure during each menstrual cycle?
Cell proliferation and stromal oedema before menstruation and a decrease in size of lobules
What changes occur to the breast structure during pregnancy?
Increase in size and number of lobules, decrease stroma, secretory changes, acini bigger
What changes occur to the breast structure with increasing age?
Terminal duct lobular units decrease in size and number
Interlobular stroma replaced by adipose
What is the cause of cyclical and diffuse breast pain?
Physiological cause
What are some causes of non-cyclical and focal pain?
Ruptured cysts, injury, inflammation
What are some causes of a palpable mass in the breast?
Invasive carcinoma, fibroadenoma, cysts, normal nodularity
What are some causes of milk, spontaneous nipple discharge?
Endocrine disorders e.g. pituitary adenoma
Side effect e.g. OCP
What are some cause of bloody or serous nipple discharge?
Papilloma, duct ectasia, could be malignancy
What are the two things to look out for on a mammogram?
Densities and calcifications
What are some causes of densities on a mammogram?
Invasive carcinoma, fibroadenoma, cysts
What are some causes of calcifications on a mammogram?
Ductal carcinoma in situ, benign changes
At what ages do fibroadenomas usually present?
Any age during reproductive period, often < 30
At what ages do phyllodes tumours usually present?
In 6th decade
Describe the association between age and breast cancer:
Rare before 25 (except familial), incidence rises with age
What are some examples of disorders of development of the breast?
Polythelia (3rd nipple)
Accessory axillary breast tissue
When is acute mastitis likely to present and what is the cause?
During lactation
S. aureus infection due to nipple cracks and fissures
How does acute mastitis present?
Erythematous, painful breast
Pyrexia
May get breast abscesses