Breast Disorders Flashcards
Adult female breast is actually a modified what? Histologically what is it composed of?
- modified sebaceous gland, located within superficial fascia of chest wall
- histologically primarily composed of:
lobules or glands
milk ducts
CT
fat
Younger breasts are predominately made up of what? What is this replaced by?
- How does this help in detecting cancer?
- younger breasts predominately glandular tissue
- glands are replaced by fat, this process accelerates with menopause
- differences in palpable consistency and in radiographic density b/t glands and fat are key components of breast cancer detection programs
Breast make up?
- organized into 15-25 lobules, with disproportionate amt of glandular or lobular tissue present in upper outer quadrants of each breast (MC area for cancer)
- lobules consist of clusters of secretory cells arranged in an alveolar pattern and surrounded by myoepithelial cells
- glands drain into series of collecting milk ducts that course through the breast
- come together into approx 5-10 collectung ducts that lead to and drain at the nipple
What can occur to diff areas of breast tissue?
-CT:
fibrocystic changes
fibroadenomas
- fat tissue:
necrosis from trauma or may harbor lipomas
- duct system:
may become dilated, contain papillary neoplasms, undergo malignant transformations
Blood supply and lymphatic system of breast?
- rich blood supply: blood supply from internal mammary artery, lateral thoracic artery, thoracodorsal artery, thoracocramial artery, intercostal perforating arteries
- huge lymphatic system: superficial and deep nodal chains throughout the trunk and neck, including those located in axilla, deep into pectoralis muscles, and caudal to diaphragm
- support milk production and overall breast health
Breast tissue in response to hormonal changes?
- breast tissue is very sensitive to hormonal changes, especially glandular cells - circulating levels of estrogen and progesterone
- tissue responsiveness to circulating hormones is also responsible for the changes that occur during the normal menstrual cycle and for sxs often reported by pts receiving hormones in pharm doses
What occurs to breast tissue during menstrual cycle?
- breast tissue tends to swell from changes in body’s levels of estrogen and progesterone, the milk glands and ducts enlarge, and in turn, the breasts retain water. During menstruation, breasts may temporarily feel swollen, painful, tender or lumpy
When should we recommned SBEs to pt?
- week following menstruation when breasts are least tender
How common is breast cancer?
- MC malignancy in women
- accounts for approx 30% of cancers in women
- 15% are dx in women younger than 40
- by time woman is 80 - 1/10 probability of developing breast cancer
RF for breast cancer - how is age RF?
- age is most sig. RF after gender
- breast cancer is rare in women younger than 25, about 2% occur b/f age 20
- incidence increases with age, with a plateau in women aged 50-55
How are family hx and genetics RFs for breast cancer?
- 1st degree relative sig increases risk (sister, mom)
- 2 or more relatives with breast or ovarian cancer
- breast cancer occurring in an affected relative younger than 50
- relatives with both breast and ovarian cancer
- one or more relatives with 2 cancers (breast and ovarian or 2 independent breast cancers)
- male relatives with breast cancer
- genetics - BRCA1 and BRCA2
How is race a RF for breast cancer?
caucasian more likely, although incidence in black women is increasing
- individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent have 2x greater risk
What about menarche and menopause increases risk of breast cancer?
- early menarche (under 12)
- late menopause (after 50)
How does increased estrogen increase risk for breast cancer?
- increased exposure to estrogen: obesity, persistent anovulation (PCOS)
- use of estrogen therapy: BSO b/f age of 35 with HRT
postmenopausal tx with HRT, esp high doses of estrogen and use of progesterone
What are other RFs for breast cancer?
- nulligravid state
- first preg after 35
- fibrocystic conditions, when accompanied by proliferative changes
- cancer in one breast
- endometrial cancer
- not breastfeeding
- hx of epithelial hyperplasia with atypia
- exposure to ionizing radiation or to other carcinogens
- certain dietary factors: fat, ETOH
What are BRCA1 and BRCA2? Mutation?
- tumor suppressor genes
- preven cells from growing and dividing too rapidly, or in uncontrolled way, inhibitrs growth of cells that line milk ducts in breast. Directly involved in repair of damaged DNA
- mutations in these:
disrupt protein production, resulting in abnorm. small, nonfxnl version of BRCA2 protein - change one of protein binding blocks used to mae BRCA proteins: defective BRCA protein is unable to help fix damaged DNA, results in build up of mutations, causes cells to divide in an uncontrolled way and form tumor
Harmful BRCA1 mutations may also increase a woman’s risk of developing what types of cancer in addition to breast CA?
- cervical
- uterine
- pancreatic
- colon cancer
Harmful BRCA2 mutations may also increase risks of what cancers?
- pancreatic
- stomach
- gallbladder and bile duct
- melanoma
Do BRCA mutations affect men?
- yes, men with harmful BRCA1 mutations have increased risk of breast cancer and possible of pancreatic cancer, testicular cancer, and early onset prostate cancer. However male breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer appear to be more strongly assoc with BRCA2 gene mutations
Presentation of breast cancer mass?
- solitary nodule
- non-tender
- firm to hard
- ill defined margins
- not mobile
- skin nipple retractions
- axillary lymphadenopathy
- a good number of breast masses are found by mammogram with no palpable mass
- 90% of Breast cancer masses found by patients
Breast cancer screening guidelines?
- women 40-44: should have choice to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms if they wish to do so
- 45-54: should get mammograms q yr
- 55 and older: should switch to mammograms q 2 yrs or can continue yearly screening
- screening should continue as long as woman is in good health and is expected to live 10 more years or longer
MC areas for breast cancer?
- upper outer quadrant: 50%
- nipple and areola: 18%
- upper inner qaudrant: 15%