Breast disease (cancer) Flashcards
What is the most common cancer in women
breast cancer
What are the risk factors for breast cancer
Smoking
Increased age
Previous breast cancer
BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation
Hormone replacement therapy
Excess alcohol
Weight
What is the presentation of breast cancer
Asymptomatic is common
Symptomatic:
Lump
Mastalgia- persistent unilateral
pain
Nipple discharge-blood stained
Nipple changes
Change in breast size or shape
Lymphoedema(swelling of arm)
Dimpling of the breast
What needs to be done if a patient comes in with a lump on their breast
Triple assessment:
Clinical - history and examination
Radiological - bilateral mammograms/ Ultrasound
Cyto-pathological - FNA (fine needle aspiration) cytology or core tissue biopsy
What is the most common type of breast cancer
Ductal carcinoma
What is the management of cancer
Diagnose
Staging
Treatment
What tests are done to stage breast cancer
Full blood count
U&Es
LFTs
Calcium/phosphate
Describe the T stage for breast cancer
T0 - impalpable
T1 - less than 2cm
T2 - between 2cm and 5cm
T3 - larger than 5cm
T4 - invading other structures
What are the surgical treatments which can be done for breast cancer
Mastectomy - removal of the breast
Breast conservation surgery
Why is sentinel lymph node biopsy done
It is the first lymph node to receive drainage from the breast
The first node that the tumour spreads to
What are the possible complications of radiotherapy
Skin - telangiectasis
Radiation pneumonitis
Cutaneous Radio-necrosis
Osteonecrosis
Angiosarcoma
What are the two types of hormone therapy given for breast cancer when oestrogen receptor is positive
Tamoxifen - blocks oestrogen receptor
Aromatase inhibitor - stop synthesis of oestrogen
What is the follow up after breast cancer treatment
Clinical examination - none to annually for 5 years
Mammogram of breast - yearly for 3-10 years
