Breast medicine Flashcards
What is the main constituent of breasts?
Adipose tissue
What is the area around the nipple known as?
Areola
What structures sit behind the areola and allow milk to drain?
Network of ducts
Where is milk produced in the breast?
Lobules
these then drain into ducts –> out of nipple
How are women in the UK screened for breast cancer (age, how often)?
- Between 50 and 71st birthday
- Every 3 years
What are some downsides to breast cancer screening (4)?
- Anxiety + stress
- Exposure to radiation
- Missing cancer –> false reassurance
- Unnecessary further tests
How much does breast screening reduce the risk of death from breast cancer by?
About 20%
What are 2 genetic variations that increase your risk of breast cancer?
- BRCA 1 (chromosome 17) and 2 (chromosome 13)
- Li-Fraumeni
What cancers does Li-Fraumeni increase the risk of (5)?
- Breast
- Brain
- Adrenal
- Leukaemia
- Osteosarcoma
auto dom inheritance pattern
When should BRCA and Li-Fraumeni be screened for breast cancer?
Annually in over 20 year olds
What is the most common BRCA gene?
BRCA 1
What cancers do the BRCA genes increase the risk of (4)?
- Breast
- Ovarian
- Prostate
- Pancreatic
What is the most common site of breast lumps?
Upper outer quadrant
including tail of spence
What is the sentinel node for breast cancers?
Axillary nodes
What is the “triple lock” for breast cancer investigations (3)?
- History + exam
- Imaging
- Biopsy
What imaging techniques are used to analyse breast lumps (3)?
- Mammography
- USS
- MRI
When are USS better at identifying breast lumps compared to mammography?
In younger, dense breasts
When is an MRI particularly useful for identifying breast lumps?
When there is a breast implant
What are two biopsy techniques used for breast cancer?
- Fine needle biopsy
- Core biopsy (can identify if cancer is invasive or in situ)
What are some causes of breast lumps (10)?
- Fibroadenoma = very common
- Cysts = very common
- Breast cancer
- Fibrocystic breast changes (mammary dysplasia)
- Fat necrosis
- Lipoma
- Phyllodes tumours
- Mastitis/ abscess
- Duct ectasia
- Intraductal papilloma
What is a fibroadenoma?
Benign tumours of epithelial breast tissue
What age is typically affected by fibroadenomas?
20 - 40 year olds
oestrogen + progesterone sensitive so often change throughout cycle and shrink after menopause
What are some key features of fibroadenomas (5)?
- Mobile
- Well defined
- Painless
- Firm
- Fluctuating size
How should a fibroadenoma be treated?
Surgical excision if > 3cm
What is a breast cyst?
Individual fluid filled lump, usually caused by blockage in duct/ shrinking of tissues
What age are breast cysts most common?
40-60 years
What are some features of a breast cyst (5)?
- Painful
- Smooth
- Well defined
- Mobile
- Fluctuate in size
How is a breast cyst treated?
Aspirated
What features of the aspiration of a breast cyst should indicate a biopsy may be needed (2)?
- Blood stained fluid
- Repeatedly refill
What are fibrocystic breast changes?
Fluctuating general lumpiness due to fibrous and cystic changes in the breast in response to oestrogen and progesterone
What is the pathophysiology of fat necrosis causing beast lumps?
Localised degeneration and scaring of fat tissue
often triggered by trauma, surgery or radiotherapy resulting in inflammation
What are some features of fat necrosis lumps in breasts (4)?
- Irregular
- Firm
- Painless
- Skin dimpling/ nipple inversion
How should fat necrosis in the breast be investigated?
Biopsy is often needed
due to the similarity to breast cancer lumps in examination and USS findings
What are lipomas?
Benign tumours of adipose tissue
What are some features of lipomas in the breast (4)?
- Soft
- Painless
- Mobile
- No skin changes
What is mastitis?
Inflammation of breast tissue
What are the two main causes of mastitis?
- Obstruction in the ducts whilst breastfeeding
- Infection
What bacteria most commonly causes mastitis?
Staph aureus
What are the features of mastitis (5)?
- Breast pain + tenderness
- Erythema
- Warmth + inflammation
- Nipple discharge
- Fever
What is the main risk factor for mastitis?
Breast feeding
How should mastitis be treated (3)?
- Lactating 1st = warm compress, expressing, analgesia
- Lactating 2nd = flucloxacillin or erythromycin
- Non-lactating = co-amox (erythromycin + metronidazole if penicillin allergy)
What organism commonly causes mastitis in breastfeeding women?
Candida
How does candida mastitis present?
Cracked flaky skin with baby also affected
How is candida mastitis treated (2)?
- Topical miconazole
- Oral fluconazole