Breast Anatomy

Question 1

What are the risk factors for breast cancer in men?

Answer 1

BRCA2 mutation, heredity, aging, excess body weight, chronic liver disorder, heavy alcohol use, exposure to radiation, petroleum, and combustion products Main risk factor is elevated estrogen levels or family history of breast cancer

Question 2

What is the arterial supply to the breast?

Answer 2

Internal thoracic (medial), lateral thoracic, and branches of the intercostal arteries (lower aspect)

Question 3

What is DCIS?

Answer 3

Ductal carcinoma in situ Abnormal cells lining the breast duct; non-invasive, hasn’t spread Treated by radiation or lumpectomy

Question 4

Where do 50% of breast cancers occur in the breast

Answer 4

Upper left quadrant near axilla

Question 5

What muscles are under the breast/on the thoracic wall?

Answer 5

Pectoralis major and minor + Serratus anterior

Question 6

What are physical/external signs of carcinoma of the breast?

Answer 6

Skin dimpling, edema of the skin (Peau d’ orange), nipple retraction and deviation, abnormal contours, dripping, redness/rash

Question 7

What is lobular carcinoma in situ?

Answer 7

Not cancer but abnormal cells that may progress to cancer Hormone therapy can help

Question 8

What is hormone receptor positive breast cancer?

Answer 8

Either estrogen positive or progesterone positive Treatment by blocking ability to produce those hormones; Tamoxifen targets estrogen receptors and prevents estrogen from binding there

Question 9

How is breast tissue attached to skin?

Answer 9

Suspensory ligaments (of Cooper)

Question 10

What is the flow of milk out of the breast?

Answer 10

Lobules -> ductules -> lactiferous duct -> lactiferous sinus -> nipple

Question 11

What separates the breast from the Pectoralis major?

Answer 11

The retromammary space

Question 12

Where does majority (75%) of lymphatic drainage go in the breast?

Answer 12

To the anterior pectoral group of lymph nodes

Question 13

Where does 20% of breast lymphatic drainage go?

Answer 13

The parasternal lymph nodes (which has channels that can connect to the other breast!)

Question 14

What is triple negative breast cancer?

Answer 14

None of the other types of breast cancer Treatment with chemo, radiation, and surgery

Question 15

What is fibrocystic breast disease?

Answer 15

Cysts within the breast that may be painful and tender; fluctuate with menstrual cycle At least 50% of women have fibrocystic breast changes during their lives

Question 16

What are the borders of the breast?

Answer 16

Circular base overlying ribs 2 - 6, extending from the sternal edge to the mid-axillary line

Question 17

What is breast mastitis?

Answer 17

Inflammatory disorders of the breast - acute mastitis, periductal mastitis (usually in breastfeeding women)

Question 18

What percentage of breast cancer occurs in men?

Answer 18

Less than 1%

Question 19

What is HER-2 positive breast cancer?

Answer 19

15-20% of all breast cancers Treated by drugs that bind HER2 receptor & stop the signal for cell growth

Question 20

What is the Tail of Spence?

Answer 20

The extension of breast tissue that extends into the axilla though the foramen of Langer

Question 21

What is fibroadenoma?

Answer 21

Non-cancerous, marble-like lump in the breast related to reproductive hormones. Mixture of stromal and epithelial tissue Some MAY become Phyllodes tumors which may become cancerous

Question 22

What is Paget’s disease?

Answer 22

Affects normal calcium levels in the blood. Causes bones to become more fragile and misshapen and can also affect breast tissue Cells collect around the nipple. Affects ducts first then spreads to nipple and areola

Question 23

What is breast development called?

Answer 23

Telarche

Question 24

What is inflammatory breast cancer?

Answer 24

Progresses quickly, either stage 3 or stage 4 Sometimes no lump is present; diagnosed with mamogram

Question 25

What is the most common type of male breast cancer?

Answer 25

Infiltrating ductal carcinoma