Breast Flashcards
what is the leading cause of cancer death among women between 40 and 50 years of age?
breast cancer
what are the 3 layers of breast tissue?
subcutaneous, mammary/glandular, retromarrary
the functional portion of the breast is made of lobes which contain
ducts and milk producing glands
most tumors are found
in the upper outer quadrant where there is a higher concentration of lobes
most originate in the ducts
what are Cooper’s ligaments
connective tissues in the mammary layer that form a fibrous skeleton responsible for maintaining breast shape
what is the primary purpose of screening
detection and diagnosis of breast cancer in its earliest forms
how does breast fat appear on ultrasound
hypoechoic to surrounding tissue
breast ducts appear as
anechoic tubular structures
fibrous components such as Cooper’s ligament appear
as bright linear echoes
glandular/parenchymal tissues appear
homogeneous with medium to low level echoes
what is gynecomastia
condition in which the ductal elements hypertrophy in the male breast
what are the 6 risk factors that can increase a male’s risk of breast cancer
Klinefelter's sydrome male to female transexual history of prior chest wall irradiation history of orchitis or testicular torsion liver disease genetic disposition
what are the 4 sonographic applications
- determining composition of breast mass
- ruling out presence of lymph node masses that often accompany breast cancer
- evaluating breast implants
- guided aspirations and biopsies as an alternative to surgical procedures
spiculations are indicative of
malignancy
sonographically spiculations appear
as finger like projections, the walls may look fuzzy or indistinct
retraction of the nipple or dimpling of the skin may be caused by
malignant lesions which grow through breast tissue and pull on Cooper’s ligaments
if a mass measures longer in AP direction than transverse, the mass has a ______ orientation
vertical and is suspicious for malignancy
which is suspicious for malignancy? hyperechoic or hypoechoic
hypoechoic
posterior shadowing masses tend to be
malignant
is a mass benign or malignant if it tends to roll away when it is palpated
benign
if a mass has increased vascularity or vessels penetrate the mass it is probably
malignant
what are the 3 symptoms of fibrocystic condition
- lumps and pain that fluctuate with monthly cycle
- both breasts are equally involved
- may affect only one area of the breast
how does fibrocystic condition appear on sonography?
multiple round masses seen as multiple cysts
what is the most common benign breast tumor
fibroadenoma
how does fibroadenoma occur
disturbances of normal hormonal mechanism
3 symptoms of fibroadenoma
firm
rubbery
freely mobile
5 sonographic findings of fibroadenoma
round or oval smooth or lobulated low level homogeneous echoes usually hypoechoic posterior enhancement
mastitis may result from (3)
infection
trauma
mechanical obstruction in breast ducts
3 symptoms of mastitis
enlarged breasts
reddened breasts
tenderness
where will carcinoma most often occur
upper outer quadrant
4 symptoms of carcinoma
hard fixed mass
nipple discharge
nipple itching or burning
change in breast symmetry or size
5 sonographic findings of carcinoma
hypoechoic angled, irregular margins, microlobulation posterior shadowing calcifications taller than wide
what is ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
cancer cells present in ducts but haven’t spread through walls into tissue
2 sonographic findings for DCIS
ductal enlargement
calcifications within duct
what is invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) or infiltrating ductal carcinoma
begins in ducts and invades fatty tissue
has potential to metastasize via bloodstream and lymphatic system
3 sonographic findings for IDC
solid hypoechoic
posterior shadowing
irregular and ill defined
IDC accounts for ______ of all breast cancers
80%
infiltrating lobular carcinoma accounts for less than _____ of all breast cancers
10%
3 sonographic findings of infiltrating lobular carcinoma
hypoechoic
irregular, angle shaped margins
posterior enhancement possible
