BREAST Flashcards
What is mastalgia and how common is it?
Breast pain, over 50% of women suffer at some point
How common is breast cancer?
1 in 8 women, most common in females in UK
On breast examination, give 7 red flag symptoms for breast cancer
Painless lump Skin distortion Bloody nipple discharge Nipple inversion Axillary lymphadenopathy Ulcers Paget's nipple disease
Give risk factors for breast cancer (10)
Increasing age Family history of breast/ovarian cancer (BRCA1/2) Young age at menarche Late menopause Nulliparity Obesity HRT Not breastfeeding Past breast cancer Alcohol
What is the triple assessment test?
Clinical examination
Radiological imaging (mammography, USS)
Pathology (histology, cytology)
What is mammography?
Low dose X rays of the breast, where the breast is compressed between 2 plates to flatten tissue and improve resolution
What is breast screening?
To detect cancer at pre-invasive stage Mammography for all women between 50 and 70 every 3 years After 70 if self organised Under 50 if high risk Trial between 47-73
What is shown on mammogram in ductal carcinoma in situ?
Microcalcification
What is shown on mammogram in carcinoma?
Irregular spiculated mass
When is breast ultrasound used?
When there is a known lesion or suspicious area already identified
How are patients under 25 investigated for breast cancer?
Histology or cytology only, ultrasound if clinically suspicious
How are patients 25-40 investigated?
Breast ultrasound plus histology or cytology
How are patients over 40 investigated?
Mammography and ultrasound and either histology or cytology
When is MRI offered for breast cancer? (3)
Annually between 30-50 if high risk family history for screening
To assess extent of diffuse cancers and lymph node involvements
To assess possible recurrence of breast cancer after treatment
How is tissue diagnosis done in breast cancer? (2)
Fine needle aspiration cytology
Core biopsy
What is fine needle aspiration cytology?
Needle being passed through a lump many times whilst applying suction to the syringe
What is core biopsy?
Needle fired into the lesion to remove a core of tissue, with US guidance
Increased accuracy of diagnosis
What increases breast cancer risk in men? (4)
Age
Family history
Klinefelter’s
Possible use of oestrogens
Disadvantages of breast cancer screening? (4)
Time to attend mammograms
Psychological distress waiting for results
Procedures such as biopsy that are negative
Overdiagnosis - cancer diagnosis that would never have become symptomatic
How much has breast cancer screening reduced mortality by?
15-30%
What is pre-invasive disease in breast cancer?
Ductal carcinoma in situ
Two histological types of invasive breast cancer?
Ductal - invasive ductal carcinoma most common
Lobular - more diffuse
How is breast cancer graded?
1 - well differentiated cells, low mitotic rate
3 - badly differentiated, high mitotic rate