Breast Cancer

Question 1

Define Breast Cancer?

Answer 1

Malignancy of breast tissue

Question 2

What is the most common type of Breast Cancer?

Answer 2

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

Question 3

What are the causes of breast cancer?

Answer 3

Genetics (e.g. BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 genes)

Environmental Factors

Question 4

What are the risk factors for breast cancer?

Answer 4

Age
Prolonged Exposure to oestrogen
Family History of Breast Cancer

Question 5

What is the epidemiology of breast cancer?

Answer 5

Most common cancer in women (1/9 women in the UK)

Peak Incidence: 40-70 yrs

Question 6

What are the presenting symptoms of Breast Cancer?

Answer 6

Breast lump (usually painless)
Changes in breast shape
Nipple discharge
Axillary Lump

Question 7

What are the symptoms of malignancy?

Answer 7

Weight Loss
Bone Pain
Paraneoplastic Syndromes

Question 8

What are the signs of breast cancer on physical examination?

Answer 8

Breast lump 
Peau D'Orange 
Skin Tethering
Fixed to chest wall 
Skin Ulceration 
Nipple inversion
Paget's Disease of the nipple

Question 9

What is the characteristics of breast lump?

Answer 9

Firm
Irregular
Fixed to surrounding structures

Question 10

What is the Paget’s Disease of the nipple?

Answer 10

Eczema-like hardening of the skin on the nipple

Usually caused by ductal carcinoma in situ infiltrating the nipple

Question 11

What is the appropriate investigations for breast cancer?

Answer 11

Triple Assessment
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
Staging
Bloods

Question 12

What is Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy?

Answer 12

A radioactive tracer is injected into the tumour and a scan identifies the sentinel lymph node
This node is then biopsied to check the extend of spread