Breast Conditions Flashcards
what risk factors can be modified to decrease the risk of breast cancer?
BMI / weight exercise / diet alcohol smoking exposure to radiation having a family and age when this occurs
how do patients normally present to breast clinic?
50% asymptomatic and picked up at screening
other 50% are symptomatic
- 1/2 of these have lump
- other symptoms = discharge, nipple changes, dimpling, texture / colour change
how many views are used in mammography?
4 views
what is the main use of US in breast cancer clinics?
to detect density of lump ie solid or fluid
what does T4 staging of breast cancer indicate?
extension to skin or chest wall or both
describe the difference between N1-N3?
N1 - mobile nodes
N2 - fixed nodes
N3 - ipsilateral internal mammary nodes
what surgery can be used for local disease?
lumpectomy
mastectomy
oncoplastic surgery (large excision whilst preserving the breast)
how can oncoplastic surgery be used to preserve the appearance of breast?
bilateral surgery can be undertaken to make breasts appear symmetrical
new breast can be moulded for implant
tissue from elsewhere can be used to mould new breast
explain how radiotherapy beams spare superficial layers of the breast?
beams intensify upon reaching target
*are less intense on more superficial layers
why does chemotherapy cause various side effects?
kill all cells in mitotic phase (replicating)
includes gut, hair follicles etc
what types of non-invasive hormonal therapies are used to treat breast cancer?
selective ER modulators (SERMs) - tamoxifen
aromatase inhibitors - letrozole
GnRH antagonists
what invasive hormonal treatment can be used to treat breast cancer?
oophrectomy
why does HER2 targeted therapy cause less side effects?
spares other cells unlike chemotherapy
*cardiotoxicity
what type of benign breast disease does ANDI stand for?
aberrations in normal development and involuntion of breast eg fibroadenoma
*very mobile and present for a few years and may regress
what age do patients normally get cysts?
40-50s
