Breast Cancer 1 Flashcards
Most frequent malignancy in women worldwide?
Breast cancer, 1/8
Curability of breast cancer if detected early?
70-80%
Curability of advanced breast cancer (metastatic)?
Incurable but treatable to prolong survival and reduce symptoms
Breast cancer risk factors?
Increased breast density, prolonged oral contraceptive use, alcohol/tobacco, gene mutation, early menstruation & late menopause/obesity, late childbearing, gene mutation
Why is it thought that oestrogen could be involved in breast cancer?
It is in oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy
What is known to be protective against breast cancer?
Breastfeeding
What % of breast cancers are inherited?
5-10%
What are most inherited breast cancers caused by?
BRCA1&2 mutations
What kind of mutations are BRCA1&2 mutations?
Autosomal dominant inheritance
What do BRCA1&2 encode?
DNA repair proteins
Breast cancer likelyhood with BRCA1 mutation?
72%
Breast cancer likelyhood with BRCA2 mutation?
69%
What are mammary glands similar to?
Sweat glands
What do mammary glands consist of?
Series of ducts and lobules
What does each lobule consist of?
Many alveoli
How many lobules at the end of each duct?
15-20
Where do all the lactiferous ducts end up?
Converge around the nipple
Role of fatty tissue in breast?
Supportive structure–> surround the mammary glands
Components of connective breast tissue?
Fibrous and fatty component
Which muscle is the breast connected to?
Pectoralis Major muscle
Structure of a breast duct?
Lumen, surrounded by lumen epithelial cells, surrounded by basal myoepithelial cells
Where do all breast cancers arise?
Ducts or lobules
What are the suspensory ligaments a part of?
FIbrous connective tissue
Role of suspensory ligaments?
Attach and secure the breast to the dermis and muscle
Also separate the secretory lobules of the breast as they are in between the secretory lobules
