Breast pathology Flashcards
The majority of malignancies in the breast are what type?
Arise from epithelial cells so are carcinomas
Aswell as carcinomas what other type of malignancy can be found in the breast?
Arising from connective tissue - sarcomas
What is the main factor which is associated with the development of breast cancer?
Oestrogenic environment
What is the NHS breast screening programme?
Free breast screening every 3 years for all women aged 50 and over
What are the 7 possible presentations of breast disease?
1) Lumps
2) Puckered skin/ indrawn nipple
3) Pain
4) Inflammation/ infection
5) Nipple discharge
6) Abnormal/ sore nipple
7) Can be identified using radiology/ screening
All breast abnormalities should be investigated using what?
The triple assessment - should be considered in 3 parameters, the results of which should be triangulated at an MDT meeting
What are the 3 parameters of the triple assessment?
1) Clinical - ie clinical examination and palpation
2) Radiological
3) Pathological - either cytology or histopathology
What are fibroadenomas, are they dangerous?
They are fibroepithelial neoplasms in which there is coordinated growth of the glandular and connective tissue.
Common and present:
mobile lumps or radiological masses,
they are not dangerous and if confirmed by biopsy should be left alone.
What are phyllodes tumours, are they dangerous?
Rare fibroepithelial neoplasm
Form a spectrum of lesions - more aggressive
phyllodes tumours show overgrowth of the connective tissue which can be sarcomatous
Name 4 benign structures which can cause breast lumps?
1) Physiological lumps
2) Lipoma
3) Fibroadenoma
4) Fibrocystic change
Name a structure which can be sometimes benign and other times malignant and cause a breast lump?
Phyllodes tumour
What 3 things does fibrocystic change in the breast include?
1) Ductal hyperplasia
2) Apocrine metaplasia
3) Cysts
Aswell as being associated with a lump, what 2 other radiological abnormalities can fibrocystic change of the breast be associated with?
Microcalcifications
Is fibrocystic change related to breast cancer?
It may share some risk factors but its probably not a precursor to breast cancer
Breast disease can present with puckered skin/ in drawn nipple, what are the 2 possible causes?
1) Fat necrosis
2) Carcinoma - get puckering and also peau d’orange (because tumour is deep to nipple)
