Breast Flashcards
What is duct ectasia?
Duct ectasia is when the ducts become blocked and secretions stagnate, causing nipple discharge (+ or - nipple retraction and/ or lump) (BENIGN)
What is the aetiology / risk factors of benign ductal disease (duct ectasia & papilloma)?
In duct ectasia, the central ducts become dilated with ductal secretion due to a blockage of the lactiferous ducts.
Both occur near the menopause age.
What is the epidemiology of benign ductal disease (duct ectasia &papilloma)?
Occurs in women around the time of menopause
What are the presenting symptoms of benign ductal disease (duct ectasia and papilloma)?
Duct ectasia: green/brown/bloody nipple discharge
(intraductal)
Papilloma: small lump near nipple, discharge. Multiple papillomas are smaller and occur further away from the nipple.
Swelling or lump. History of breast discomfort/pain
What are the signs of benign ductal disease (duct ectasia and papilloma) on physical examination?
Focal or diffuse modularity of the breast
Discharge
Features of malignancy are ABSENT e/g/ dimpling, enlarged axillary lymph nodes, peau d’orange (orange peel like appearance- inflammatory breast cancer)
What are the appropriate investigations for benign ductal disease (duct ectasia & papilloma)?
Triple assessment:
- Clinical examination
- Imaging (mammography and ultrasonography)
- Needle biopsy (fine needle aspiration- cytology, excision biopsy- histology)
What are the two regions that the breast is composed of?
The circular body and the axillary tail
What is the pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple?
Areolae
What is the function of mammary glands?
Mammary glands are modified sweat glands, consisting of a series of ducts and secretory lobules.
Each lobule consists of many alveoli drained by a single lactiferous duct which converge at the nipple.
What is the function of connective tissue stroma?
A supporting structure surrounding the glands
What are the three lymph nodes that receive lymph from the breast tissue?
Axillary nodes (75%) Parasternal nodes (20%) Posterior intercostal nodes (5%)
What does breast cancer assessment involve?
Triple assessment: 1. Clinical examination 2. Imaging- Mammogram if > 35 years Ultrasonography if < 35 years - tissue is too dense 3. Biopsy
What are the common associations with breast cancer?
Due to blockages the lymphatic drainage: excess lymph builds up in the subcutaneous tissue therefore clinical features include-
Nipple deviation and retraction
Prominent skin between small dimpled pores (peau d’orange)
What is a fibroadenoma?
BENIGN overgrowth of collagenous mesenchyme of one breast lobule
Benign tumour that consists of glandular and connective tissue
What is the aetiology / risk factors of fibroadenoma?
Formed of a combination of stromal and epithelial tissue
1/3 regress
1/3 stay the same
1/3 get bigger
What is the epidemiology of fibroadenoma?
Common in 15-35 years olds.
What are the presenting symptoms of fibroadenoma?
Firm, smooth, rubber, mobile lump
Painless
May be multiple
What are the signs of fibroadenoma on physical examination?
Firm, smooth mobile lump
What are the appropriate investigations for fibroadenoma? Interpret the results
Triple assessment:
Clinical examination- firm, smooth mobile lump
Imaging- oval or round, circumscribed (confined to a limited area) lump. May have coarse calcifications.
Biopsy- will show epithelial and stromal elements
What is the management plan for a patient with fibroadenoma?
Observation and reassurance- usually no treatment needed
If in doubt refer for USS + or - fine needle aspiration
If large, growing quick, causing discomfort or preferred by patient- surgical excision done by excisional biopsy