Breast Pathologies Flashcards
What is the most common benign condition of the breast?
fibrocystic breasts
Triple negative breast cancer means…
no estrogen receptors
no progesterone receptors
no human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)
A radical mastectomy involves…
removal of the breast, pectoralis muscles, chest fascia & same-side lymph nodes
also followed by chemo & radiation
A modified radical mastectomy involves…
removal of breast, chest fascia, lymph nodes, but pectoral muscles are left in tact
chemo and radiation may be required - still a common surgery
A simple mastectomy involves…
removal of the breast, but lymphatics and pectoral muscles are preserved
A lumpectomy involves…
excision of the mass itself and some adjacent tissues
What is a quadrectomy?
surgical procedure where affected quadrant of breast is removed - M/C with stage 1 & 2 cancers. may also remove some lymph nodes and skin.
What are the only structural supports in the breast?
Cooper’s ligaments (fascial structures)
What is found in the retromammary space (relevant to tx goals)?
a channel of lymph drainage from the breast that is easily compressed
75% of lymph drains from the breast into the ____ and 25% drains where else?
axillary
25% goes superiorly, to the other breast, and downward/laterally
True or false: cells of breast tissue are not controlled by the nervous system
true, they are hormonally controlled
What are Rotter’s nodes?
small lymph nodes between the pec major & minor muscles
Organs that refer pain to the breast include…
angina/heart pain
gall bladder
esophagus
Define “retromammary space”
loose areolar c.t. separating the breast from the pec major muscles - often site of breast implantation!
Though different in every person, describe the passage of breast lymph OTHER than via the axilla?
internal mammary chain (adjacent to sternum) > rectus abdominus lymphatics > subdiaphragmatic nodes > intercostal spaces > posterior paravertebral nodes
