Breast Cancer

Question 1

This is the _____ ________ cancer in women.

Answer 1

Most common

Question 2

What are some risks/Et of breast cancer?

Answer 2

• Familial risk
• Aging
  
  • More common with age, but young women can
    also develop this
• Inherited gene mutations
  - Breast cancer genes 1 + 2
  - 1 on chr 17
  - 2 on chr 13
• Hormones
  
  • Early menarche, late menopause
  • Hormone replacement therapy for menopause
  • Nulliparity (no offspring)

Question 3

Describe ductal carcinoma in situ:

4

Answer 3

• ~20 of breast cancers
• Ductal origin - originates in cells that line ducts
• Non-invasive, local
• Precancerous
  
  • Refers to the fact that IF this is not dealt with, it will
    become a much more aggressive form of cancer

Question 4

Describe infiltrating ductal carcinoma:

5

Answer 4

• Most common, ~75% of breast cancers
• Ductal origin
  
  • May begin as ductal carcinoma in situ
• Solid, irregular growth
• Invasive
• Metastasizes via the axillary lymph nodes to the liver,
  skeleton, and/or brain

Question 5

What are the characteristics of a breast tumor?

Answer 5

• Fixed irregular mass
• Usually upper outer quadrant
• Palpable
• Unilateral
• Painless

Question 6

What are late mnfts of breast cancer?

Answer 6

• Discharge
• Retraction
• Edema

Question 7

What is used to diagnose breast cancer?

Answer 7

• Mammogram (screen)
• Biopsy of breast and sentinel lymph node
• Estrogen and progesterone receptors assessed
• Serum markers
  
  • Eg: Carcinoembryonic antigen
    - This is not specific to breast cancer
    - Beneficial for monitoring/evaluating treatment
• Usually detected by pt

Question 8

What is the Tx for breast cancer?

Answer 8

• Surgery
• Radiation
• Chemo
• Hormone therapy
  
  • Anti-estrogen
    - Eg: Tamoxifen
  • Estrogen inhibitors

Question 9

What 3 different surgeries are available to treat breast cancer?

Answer 9

• Lumpectomy (just mass)
• Quadrantectomy (just affected quadrant)
• Mastectomy (whole breast)