breast pathology Flashcards
how many women will be diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 85
1 in 8
describe the epithelium of the breast acini
two epithelial layers
- inner secretory layer (cuboidal/columnar)
- outer myoepithelial layer
where do most of lesions of the breast arise from
the epithelium of the terminal duct lobular unit
what are the investigations you can do when investigating breast disease
mammography
biopsy (fine needle aspiration or needle core biopsy)
what are the histological features you would see in a breast with fibrocytstic change
- duct dilation
- cyst formation
- fibrosis
- adenosis
- apocrine metaplasia
(bilateral and multifocal)
which benign breast condition is more common in younger women
fibroadenoma
what are the histological features you would see in a breast with fibrocystic change
neoplastic or hyperplastic stromal tumour with epithelial component
what are the common genes that can be sporadically mutated leading to breast cancer?
p53 - guardian of the genome
HER2, neu, c-erbB-2 - epidermal growth factor R
what is the most common reason for breast cancer to develop
sporadic mutations
what is the treatment called that targets HER2 overexpression
Herceptin
what are the 2 genetic causes of breast cancer
- inherit multiple low-risk susceptibility genes
- BRCA1, BRCA2 and p53
what are the features of inherited breast cancer
can present at a younger age
autosomal dominant inheritance
BRCA1 - ovarian tumours
what other than genes can be predisposing factors to breast cancer
- increased oestrogen levels over lifetime
- developed countries –> obesity
- past Hx of certain breast diseases
- ethnicity
- radiation
what are the 2 main types of carcinoma in situ of the breast and which is the most common
ductal carcinoma in situ (most common)
lobular carcinoma in situ
what is paget’s disease of the nipple
malignant cells of carcinoma in situ of the breast extent up the ducts towards the nipple causing erythema, exudate or alterations in the shape of the nipple
