Breast Flashcards
Serratus anterior
Long thoracic nerve (winged scapula), lateral thoracic artery
Medial pectoral (thoracic) nerve
Pec major and minor
Lateral pectoral nerve
Pec major – injured during level III node takedown
MCC of primary axillary adenopathy
Lymphoma
Intercostobrachial nerve
MC nerve injured during mastectomy
-Numbness and pain of UPPER INNER ARM
MCC of breast abscess
-breast feeding MC staph aureus. 1st line treatment is FNA.
- Can continue breast feeding
Brest infections: lactational vs non-lactational; both S aureus
-Recurrent unresolving mastitis -> skin bx to r/o inflammatory breast CA
Poland syndrome
– hypoplasia of chest wall mm. Congenital absence of pectoralis, serratus, and latissimus dorsi muscles
- Associated with fused fingers, dextrocardia, amastia, hypoplastic shoulder
Periductal mastitis
Periductal mastitis – non-cyclical mastodynia.
- This is due to ectasia of lactiferous ducts
- Tender mass behind nipple, creamy nipple discharge, nipple retraction, mammary fistula
- Risk factors: Breast feeding, SMOKING!!, nipple piercing
- Can get Subareolar abscesses
- Path dilated mammary ducts, inspissated secretions
- Can form abscesses and fistula
- Dx: FNA
- Non-breast-feeding associated Tx: if typical creamy discharge, no blood or nipple retraction abx and reassure
- If not, recurs, or > 2 weeks excision of duct ectasia and fistula if present
- Breast feeding Same as above but continue breast feeding
-Mastitis: caused by Staphylococcus aureus; common in initial 4-6 weeks of breastfeeding or during weaning; ducts poorly drain -> bacteria proliferate -> cellulitis (fever,pain, erythema, swelling) -> 1st line= abx, breastfeeding warm compresses; if continues after 10-14 day abx -> r/o abscess w US; if abscess= percutaneous US-guided aspiration w 18-gauge needle (thicker/more viscous= 14-gauge)
-When skin is intact, repeated aspiration preferred; if skin is not intact, I&D (small incision)
-Non-lactational: smoking and ductal ectasia; abx, I&D if abscess
Mastodynia
MC location, upper outer quadrant.
MCC of continuous Mastodynia = infectious
Cyclical mastodynia = cyclical mastalgia = occurs with menses = MC premenopausal = bilateral = Do H&P Tx: reassurance
Non-cyclical Mastodynia = MC post-menopausal
- Tx: 1st line is reassurance, OTC, change bra, support garment
- 2nd line = tamoxifen or danazole. Avoid nicotine, caffeine, OCP.
- Evening primrose oil studies show no effects
-Mastodynia management
-Mild/moderate: conservative therapy; NSAID, acetaminophen, topical diclofenac (patch/gel)
-Severe 1st line: tamoxifen; SERM; use < 6 mo; contraindicated in pregnancy; SE= vaginal dryness, hot flashes, blood clot risk, strokes; inc risk of uterine CA; dec risk of osteoporosis + fxs
-Severe 2nd line: danazol; antigonadotropin agent with mild androgenic effect; contraindicated in pregnancy; SE= acne, voice changes, weight gain, hot flashes, menstrual irregularities; administered during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle
-Severe 3rd line: bromocriptine; dopaminergic agent; inhibits release of prolactin from anterior pituitary gland; SE= HA, dizziness, n
-Cyclic= menstrual cycle- during late luteal phase
-Non-cyclic after menopause; if over 40 -> evaluate w mammogram
Mondor’s disease
Mondor’s disease – MC location lower outer quadrant. Superficial vein thrombophlebitis. Lateral thoracic vein. Tx: NSAIDS
-Mondor’s dz/thrombophlebitis: lateral thoracic or superior thoraco epigastric vein; tender,palpable subcutaneous cord; associated with hypercoagulable state, surgery, trauma, inflamm process; benign/ self-limited; tx= NSAIDS, warm compress
-If over 35 w Mondor dz= mammogram to r/o malignancy (rare association)
Breast MRI is indicated
Breast MRI is indicated if there is known nodal mets, and US and mammogram are negative for mass
Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia
In kids no treatment
In adults can try tamoxifen or danozol
-Gynecomastia: benign proliferation of male glandular breast tissue; rubber or firm mass extending concentrically from the nipple; can be unilateral
-Vs carcinoma: asymmetric, eccentric to nipple, non-tender, firm, fixed, skin dimpling, nipple retraction, discharge, lymphadenopathy
-MOA: dec in androgen production; inc in estrogen or availability of estrogen precursors for peripheral conversion to estrogen; androgen receptor blockade & dec free testosterone due to inc binding of androgen sex hormone-binding globulin
-Can be associated with cimetidine, spironolactone, marijuana;digoxin, thiazides, estrogens, phenothiazines, theophylline
-If present for several years less likely to regress as fibrosis likely present -> surgical excision of glandular tissue and liposuction of surrounding adipose tissue
Breast cyst
Breast cyst
Most are benign.
Mammography cannot distinguish cyst from mass.
Dx: US is best.
Simple cyst: anechoic with posterior acoustic shadowing and no septations (solid component)
- No further management needed
- FNA only performed here if has signs of infection (abscess)
- Never send for cytology unless bloody
Complex cyst: septations, solid component
- This needs a core needle biopsy. Never do FNA here
Can repeat FNA for recurrence. If recurs a 3rd time excisional biopsy
If cyst looks benign, do not even need to aspirate it and don’t need follow up imaging
Fibroadenoma
Fibroadenoma
Rubbery, mobile, and painless masses on physical exam. Ultrasound will demonstrate a well-circumscribed hypoechoic mass.
Prominent fibrous tissue compressing epithelial cells, Large course calcifications (popcorn calcification).
Teenagers > 5 cm = Juvenile fibroadenoma = excision
<30 y/o breast mass. Start with ultrasound. If US consistent with fibroadenoma can follow with imaging in 6 months
>30 years old BL mammogram and US, then all need CNBx or straight to excisional biopsy
Indications for surgical excision: Symptoms (pain), growth, patient preference (anxiety), no size cut off but generally > 3 cm
-Fibroadenoma: MCC of breast mass in women >30; stromal + epithelial elements; soft, firm, mobile, rubbery, painless; mammogram- well-circumscribed solid mass; develop calcifications as degenerate (coarse calcifications)
-Grow during increase hormonal influence- menses, pregnancy
-Giant fibroadenoma: > 6 cm, difficult to distinguish from phyllodes
-Complex= sclerosing adenosis, papillary apocrine hyperplasia, cysts, epithelial calcifications; risk for carcinoma
-Tubular adenoma: tightly packed epithelial component with sparse connective tissue; variant of peri canalicular fibroadenoma w adenosis-like epithelial proliferation; benign
-Degenerating fibroadenoma with coarse (A arrow) and popcorn (B) calcifications
Surgical indications for fibroadenoma:
-Large size at presentation (typically > 3 cm)
-Symptomatic (pain with menstruation)
-Interval growth
-Inability to exclude other premalignant lesions
-Patient prefence/ anxiety
Breast mass work up
<30 y/o breast mass. Start with US. Get a mammography if concerning for cancer. CNBx.
>30 years old BL mammogram and US, then all need CNBx or straight to excisional biopsy
- Palpable abnormalities that you are working up, all need US (determine if cyst or solid)
Nipple discharge
Nipple discharge
Most are benign, MC hyperprolactinemia, meds,
Work up: Prolactin level, TSH, pregnancy test
- If there is a mass normal breast mass work up mammogram, US
Benign if it’s: Bilateral, arises from multiple ducts, is provoked, milky or dark green
- MC caused by breast feeding, pregnancy, medications
- Does not require work up other than H&P
Pathological discharge: unilateral, from a single duct, spontaneous, is serous (clear, yellow, orange), or bloody
- MCC by #1 intraductal papilloma #2 benign duct ectasia #3 cancer
- Work up: 1st Mammogram and Ultrasound CNBx if there is a lesion
- If above is normal (unable to localize duct) next step is MRI
- Ductoscopy and galactography have fallen out of favor
- Surgical excision required for all pathological nipple discharge
- Intra-ductal papilloma (usually single duct)– use lacrimal probe (methylene blue) intra-op to excise single duct
If nipple discharge yellow/green, cyclical, non-spontaneous fibrocystic disease reassure
-Bloody nipple discharge: central duct excision or subareolar resection if duct cannot be identified; preserve breastfeeding galactography/ ductoscopy (minimally helpful) -> excise single duct; suspicious discharge: unilateral, single duct, spontaneous -> mammogram/US; if lesion, then CNB
-Pathologic: intraductal papilloma (MCC), duct ectasia, fibrocystic breast disease
breast carcinoma
-Benign: galactorrhea, glandular secretions, pregnancy, medications, physiologic stimulation-Pregnancy test, TSH/prolactin level, US, mammogram
-Green/yellow/brown discharge: usually fibrocystic disease; should have lumpy breast tissue consistent with fibrocystic dz
-Serous discharge: worrisome for cancer, esp if only 1 duct or spont
-Usually no cytology because still need surgical bx
Intraductal papilloma
Intraductal papilloma
MCC of pathologic and bloody nipple discharge
NO risk of malignancy within itself, but can harbor neighboring DCIS
No mass is found on exam or imaging
Mammogram and US cannot dx, but need this for work up
Dx: US, mammogram and then CNBx
Tx: Single Duct excision
-Papilloma: most commonly found in major subareolar ducts; “branching fibrovascular core with overlying epithelial and myoepithelial layers”
DCIS
Cluster Calcifications
Premalignant, MC get invasive ductal CA
50% risk of CA to ipsilateral breast if not resected
Tx: lumpectomy with 2 mm margin and whole breast XRT; Can go for Re-excision X 1
tamoxifen (premenopausal)/anastrozole (aromatase inhibitor, postmenopausal) X 5 years post op if ER positive
-XRT reduces risk of recurrence by 50% but does not affect overall survival
-Comedo DCIS: central necrosis, many mitotic figures, large pleomorphic nuclei; more aggressive; likely to recur/progress to invasive ductal carcinoma; tx: simple mastectomy + adjuvant hormone therapy; also need SLNB (last chance to sample nodes if it turns out to be CA)
Simple mastectomy with SLNB for: (No post mastectomy radiation)
- Males
- Comedo
- High grade
- Paget’s that lead to DCIS
- Multicentric (located in different quadrants) = relative contraindication to BCT. Multifocal (numerous lesion in same vicinity) = OK to do BCT
- Inability to get negative margins after RE-RESECTION
- DCIS recurrence
- Diffuse malignant appearing calcifications
- Previous XRT
-SLNB performed for DCIS: lumpectomy in upper & outer quadrant which may affect lymphatic drainage, mastectomy, or more aggressive subtype of DCIS (comedo); large (>2-2.5 cm), high-grade ductal carcinoma, palpable mass
LCIS
LCIS
40% risk of CA Bilaterally, No calcifications.
The lesion itself is not premalignant, it is a marker for cancer risk = No SLNBx or radiation
Have equal risk of getting ductal or lobular carcinoma bilaterally
This is found incidentally on biopsy. IT IS NOT SEEN ON IMAGING
MC premenopausal women
Don’t need negative margins
Treatment:
-Options observe with US &/or mammogram imaging q6 months for a year + tamoxifen or excise then tamoxifen if not classic
- Pleomorphic or florid LCIS (non-classic LCIS) all need excisional biopsy then tamoxifen; pleomorphic & atypical LCIS need 2 mm margins
- Tamoxifen (premenopausal) or raloxifene post op (post menopausal) X 5 years = BIG for LCIS
- Prophylactic bilateral subcutaneous mastectomy No longer supported
-LCIS: small uniform cells confined to the lumen of the lobule (not penetrated BM); tx= wire localized excision & tamoxifen (premenopausal) or raloxifene (postmenopausal); if positive margin, no re-excision
Need excisional biopsy for
Need excisional biopsy for: (Do NOT need negative margin, just need to resect all of it if seen on mammogram)
- Atypical ductal/lobular hyperplasia – Give tamoxifen after excision to reduce risk of CA
- These are like lobular carcinoma in situ, just increases risk of CA but not pre-malignant
- Columnar cell hyperplasia with atypia
- Radial scar = Stellate arrangement with central fibroelastic core
- Papillary lesions
- Complex sclerosing lesion
- Flat epithelial atypia
- Intraductal papilloma
-Breast bx indication: BI-RADS 4 & 5; complex cysts, suspicious solid or indeterminate masses, persistence of mass after aspiration; bloody fluid w malignant cells on FNA
-Fluid from a simple cyst will always show atypical cells on cytology, which is not a cause for concern; therefore, fluid should only be sent for culture unless it is frankly bloody–in which case both cytology and culture should be performed.
-CNB: gives architecture (Histology)
-FNA: gives cytology (just cells)
-Breast lesions identified on CN biopsy:
* Atypical ductal/ lobular hyperplasia: surgical excisional bx
* Lobular carcinoma in situ: excise vs observation
* Pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ: excise
* Fibroepithelial lesions w concern for phyllodes; phyllodes tumors: surgical excisional bx
* Complex sclerosing lesion or radial scar: surgical excisional bx
* Desmoid: wide local excision; benign but infiltrative, recurrence is high
* Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia: observation
* Other indications for excisional bx: columnar cell hyperplasia w atypia, papillary lesion, lack of concordance, nondiagnostic
Columnar cell lesions with atypia= frequent association with tubular carcinomas
Atypical ductal hyperplasia
Found after CNBx of calcifications on mammogram
- Confers 30% risk of breast cancer in bilateral breast in 25 years when found
- Has many similar features of DCIS on histology, it’s difficult to distinguish the two.
- Tx: excisional bx then give tamoxifen post op as chemoprevention
-Atypical ductal hyperplasia: 4-5-fold increased risk of invasive CA; Dx= CNB; tx= excisional bx (negative margins not required); 9-30% incidence of DCIS on excisional bx; 3% chance of IDC
Sclerosing adenosis and apocrine metaplasia
don’t need to excise. No treatment necessary
-Sclerosing adenosis: microcalcifications; CNB; not CA precursor; if no atypia & concordant w imaging= observe
Anatomy
Axillary LN levels
-1: lateral to pec minor
-2: posterior to pec minor
-3: medial to pec minor
-Breast cancer: removal of level 1 & 2 LNS
-Melanoma: levels 1-3 excised
-Axillary LN dissection boundaries:
-Medial: serratus anterior
-Lateral: anterior border of latissimus dorsi muscle
-Inferior: tail of breast
-Superior: level of axillary vein
-Anatomical axilla boundaries:
-Apex: posterior clavicle border
-Anterior: pec major & minor
-Medial*: serratus anterior muscle overlaying 1st 4 ribs & chest wall
-Lateral: anterior border of latissimus dorsi muscle
-Posterior: subscapularis muscle
Rotter’s nodes – Level II nodes between pec minor and major
Sappey nodes – Subareolar nodes, principle for lymphatic mapping
-Axillary LN status= most important predictor of prognosis
-Clinically palpable nodes should not be treated with SLNB -> axillary lymph node dissection
Axillary dissection nerve injured
-Winged scapula: long thoracic innervating serratus anterior
o Shoulder pain, inability to raise arms above shoulder level
-Weakness in pullups & arm adduction (move towards midline): thoracodorsal nerve innervating latissimus dorsi
-Sensory deficits to medial arm & axilla: intercostobrachial nerve= lateral cutaneous branch of 2nd intercostal nerve
-Right-sided “winging”
Gail Model
-Gail Model: calculates a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer within the next 5 years and within her lifetime
-Age, age of first period, age of first birth, FHx of breast CA (mom, sister, daughter), number of past breast biopsies, number of breast bx showing atypical hyperplasia, race/ ethnicity
-Underestimates risk for patients with strong family history (BRCA), personal hx of DCIS, LCIS, or invasive CA
BI-RADS
0 – Needs additional imaging
1 – negative (no mass or lesions), routine screening
2 - benign finding, routine screening
3 - probably benign, short interval follow up mammogram 3-6 months
4 – suspicious for cancer (indeterminant calcifications) → get core needle biopsy. If CNBx benign and concordant If 4a f/u in 3-6 months, If 4b or 4c excisional biopsy
5 - highly suggestive of cancer -> get core needle biopsy. If any other finding than CA on CNBx then needs EBx
BRCA
BRCA (Tumor suppressor gene) – Autosomal domoninant
BRCA 1 – tends to be poorly differentiated (High grade) and triple receptor negative.
- 60% breast, 40% ovarian, 1% male breast
BRCA 2 – well differentiated and hormonal receptor positive
- 60% breast, 20% ovarian, 10% male breast
- Increased risk of prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, melanoma
First line prophylaxis: BRCA 1 who do not wish to have children and are age 35 – 40 years old for and 40-45 for BRCA2 should be offered:
- Bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy and bilateral total mastectomy
- Prophylactic surgery – Can do skin or nipple sparing BL mastectomy. No SNLBx, no axillary dissection
Second line prophylaxis – If patient’s refuse the above surgery then:
- Give tamoxifen/raloxifene and at 25 y/o yearly mammogram, breast MRI, pelvic exam, pelvic (ovarian) US, CA-125
Yearly MRI screening in addition to mammography for:
- BRCA positive
- > 20% lifetime risk of breast cancer
- History of mantle radiation
- 1st degree relative of BRCA positive who is untested
Invasive Ductal CA
MC type of breast cancer 70%
Small ovoid cells with little cytoplasm in a single file pattern
Will see spiculation (calcifications) on mammography and US
DCIS is a precursor
-Ductal CA: most common; tx= MRM or BCT (no ink on tumor) with postop XRT
-Medullary: smooth borders, inc lymphocytes; more favorable prognosis
-Tubular: small tubule formations; more favorable prognosis
-Mucinous (colloid): mucin, more favorable
-Cirrhotic: worse prognosis
Invasive Lobular CA
Will not see calcifications.
Usually hard to palpate and difficult to see on imaging
-Lobular CA: doses not form calcifications; extensively infiltrative; inc bilateral, multifocal, multicentric; tx= MRM or BCT with postop XRT
-Signet cells: worse prognosis
Types of mastectomies:
Radical mastectomy (Halsted) – remove all breast, skin, nipple and areola complex, pec minor and major, Leve I, II, III nodes
- Never used
Modified radical mastectomy - removes breast, skin, nipple and areola complex, fascia of pec major, level I and II nodes
- For biopsy proven axillary mets
- For Patients who do not want reconstruction
Simple mastectomy = total mastectomy – remove breast tissue and overlying skin, nipple and areola complex. No nodes or muscles
- Used for CA treatment or prophylaxis
Skin sparing mastectomy – removes breast and nipple areola complex. Spares the skin. Circular incision around areola. Immediate reconstruction can follow
- Mostly used for prophylaxis
Nipple sparing mastectomy – removes breast, any biopsy scar, preserves skin and nipple
- Mostly used for prophylaxis
-Modified radical mastectomy: prevent seroma with JP drain across pec muscle and extending into axilla; remove post op day 2/3 when less than 50 mL/24 hours
DCIS vs LCIS
-LCIS= risk factor (not pre-cancerous), bilateral (DCIS is ipsilateral), multicentric
Lymphangiosarcoma
previous hx of axillary LN dissection; lymphedema risk factor for lymphangiosarcoma (Stewart-Treves syndrome) in affected extremity; tumor originates in vascular endothelial cells (not lymphatic vessels)
Stewart-Treves syndrome tx: wide surgical debridement (3-6 cm margins of normal skin), usually needs amputation
Axilla anatomy
-Medial pectoral nerve: innervates pec major & minor
-Lateral pectoral nerve: pec major
-Blood supply: internal thoracic (mammary), intercostals, lateral thoracic, thoracoacromial arteries
-Batson’s plexus: valveles venous plexus that allows direct hematogenous spread to spine
-Cooper’s ligaments: suspensory ligaments; divides breast into segments
Phyllodes tumors
-Phyllodes tumors: epithelial & stromal overgrowth; resemble rapidly growing, large sized fibroadenomas; malignant potential- based on atypia, mitotic activity, stromal overgrowth; tx= wide local excision to achieve 1-cm margins
-Benign, borderline, malignant
-Malignant phyllodes: greater potential if >5 mitoses per high power field; behave like sarcomas- metastasize through hematogenous route (axillary staging not recommended)
-No adjuvant endocrine or chemotherapy; recurrence treated with resection; radiation if malignant
-Histology: “leaf-like” pattern, hypercellular, sarcomatous
-Core needle biopsy (white arrow) of well-circumscribed, hypoechoic phyllodes tumor (black arrow)
Fat necrosis
Fat necrosis: previous trauma, radiation, surgery
Non-tender mass
-Fluid-filled level (arrow) usually mobile indicating oil cyst
-Mammogram findings: spiculated masses, microcalcifications, architectural distortion
-Stereotatic bx if inconsistent hx or imaging findings
Breast CA in pregnant
- Often diagnosed with advanced CA due to delay in Dx
- Surgery and chemo safe in 2nd and 3rd trimester
- Late 3rd trimester: BCS with SLNBx ONLY then post partum XRT
- Methylene blue and isosulfan blue dye CI in pregnant only use radiolabeled sulfur colloid for SLNBx
- Never use hormonal therapy in pregnant
Mammography can be safely done during pregnancy with shielding
-Breast cancer in pregnant patients: radiation & hormonal therapy contraindicated; 1st trimester if continues pregnancy- mastectomy with axillary staging; 2nd trimester- can start adjuvant chemotherapy -> neoadjuvant chemo followed by breast conserving surgery (lumpectomy w low-dose SLNB; postdelivery XRT); late 3rd trimester same as nonpregnant
TNM Staging
- TX: 1ary tumor cannot be assessed
- T0: no evidence of 1ary tumor
- Tis: ductal carcinoma in situ
- T1: tumor <= 20 mm
- T2: tumor > 20 mm & <= 50 mm
- T3: tumor > 50 mm
- T4: direct extension to chest wall or skin; ulceration or macroscopic nodules
- CNx: cannot be assessed
- CN0: no regional LN mets (imaging or clinical exam)
- CN1: mets to movable ipsilateral level I, II axillary LN
- CN1mi: micro metastases (0.2-2 mm)
- CN2: mets in ipsilateral level I, II
- CN3: mets in ipsilateral level III
- pNx: cannot be assessed
- pN0: no regional LN mets
- pN1: micro metastases; mets in 1-3 axillary LN
- pN1mi: micro metastases (0.2-2 mm)
- pN2: mets in 4-9 axillary LN
- pN3: mets in 10(+) axillary LN
- M0: no distant mets
- C/pM1: distant mets
N1 and N2 – Axillary nodes I or II
N3 = level III lymph node (infraclavicular)
BCT only stage I and stage II
Stage I and II BCT or MRM. Exception is Stage IIb T3N0 If patient wants BCT then Neoadjuvant cehmo 1st then BCT
Stage IIIa MRM. Exception is T3N1 If patient wants BCT then neoadjuvant 1st
N2 disease Cannot do BCT. Needs MRM
Stage IIIc (only N3a or N3b) MRM
Stage IIIb (T4) Neoadjuvant, then MRM, then adjuvant XRT
Stage IIIc ONLY N3c (supraclavicular node) and Stage IV = non-operable. Chemo and hormonal therapy
XRT follows chemo
Grossly positive Level II nodes are an indication to take Level III nodes
Genes associated with breast cancer
Radiation-induced angiosarcoma of the breast
-Years after radiation therapy to breast
-Erythema and nodules in affected breast; discrete mas not always present
-W/u: mammogram, us; dx confirmed with skin biopsy
-Tx: mastectomy with excision of overyling skin
