Breast cancer Flashcards
What are the risk factors for breast cancer?
Age Previous breast cancer Genetic Early menarche and late menopause Late or no pregnancy HRT Alcohol Weight Post radiotherapy treatment for Hodgkin's
What are the genes most associated with breast cancer?
BRCA 1 and 2
How do assymptomatic breast cancers usually present?
Breast screening (50-70yrs)
What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
Lump Mastalgia Nipple discharge (blood) Nipple changes Change in size or shape of breast Lymphoedema (swelling of arm) Dimpling of breast skin
What are some of the nipple changes that can occur in breast cancer?
Paget’s disease
Retraction
What is Paget’s disease of the nipple?
Red, scaly rash on skin of nipple and areola
Sore and inflammed
Ulceration
Itchiness, bleeding
What are the stages that occur in a new patient clinic for breast cancer?
- Clinical: history and exam
- Radiological: mammograms/US
- Cyto-pathological: FNA, core biopsy
What is the difference between FNA and core biopsy investigations for breast cancer?
FNA - cells only -> cytology
Core biopsy - tissue -> histo-pathology
What should you ask about that is different in a history for breast cancer?
Previous breast problems
Hormonal status
What are signs/symptoms of breast cancer on examination?
Lump or thickening in breast - often painless Discharge or bleeding Change in size or contours of breast Change in colour or appearance of areola Redness or pitting of skin over breast
What are the imaging techniques used for the breasts?
Mammography
US
MRI
What is the most sensitive imaging investigation for looking at the breasts?
Mammography
Why is the sensitivity of mammography reduced in young women?
Presence of increased glandular tissue
What are the two main groups of pathological types of breast cancer?
Invasive
Non-invasive
What are the two main types of invasive breast cancer?
Ductal carcinoma
Lobular carcinoma
What are the main types of non-invasive breast cancer?
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
What are the three steps (triple assessment) in management of breast cancer?
- Diagnose
- Staging
- Treatment
What are the investigations done to try and stage breast cancer?
FBC, U&Es, LFTs, Ca2+/PO2-
CXR
Others as clinically indicated
What are the tumour markers for breast cancer?
No reliable tumour markers
What staging system is used for breast cancer?
TMN
What does a T4 breast cancer stage automatically mean?
Involves other structures
What is T0 stage in breast cancer?
Primary tumour not palpable
*What is T1 stage in breast cancer?
Clinically palpable tumour <2cm
What is T2 stage in breast cancer?
Tumour size 2-5cm
*What is T3 stage in breast cancer?
Tumour size >5cm
What is N0 stage in breast cancer?
No regional lymph nodes palpable
What is N1 stage in breast cancer?
Regional lymph nodes palpable and mobile