Breast Pathology Flashcards
In which age group are fibroadenomas most common?
Younger women
What is fibrocystic change characterised by?
Duct dilation +/- cyst formation
Fibrosis
Adenosis (proliferation of acini)
Apocrine metaplasia
What are symptoms of Paget’s disease of the nipple?
Inflammation
Erythema
Exudate
Is the stroma the same throughout the whole breast?
No, the intralobular stroma is different to the interlobular stroma
What are possible symptoms of fibrocystic change?
Lumps
Discomfort
What is an intervention for women who possess BRCA1 mutations?
Double mastectomy
How does having a high level of oestrogen predispose one to breast cancer?
Oestrogen stimulates breast growth > increase risk of DNA mutations
What are some clinical signs of breast pathology?
Lump/general lumpiness
Discomfort or pain
Nipple colour change/dischrage
Change in the shape of breast
Skin changes
What is an in situ carcinomas?
Malignant population of cells confined to ducts and/or acini with no invasion through basement membrane
Which the most common cause of cancer-related death in women?
Lung
What is a lobule in the breast composed of?
A collection of acini
Are fibroadenomas benign or malignant?
Benign
What is Paget’s disease of the nipple?
When malignant cells from a ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) extend up duct to the nipple
What happens if you have too many copies of HER2?
Cell proliferation due to increased sensitivity to growth factors
What is the consequence of clearing all axillary lymph nodes?
Oedema of the upper limb
What does the incidental findinng of hyperplasia predict?
Predicts the subsequent risk of cancer development
What is the cell of origin in fibroadenomas?
Fibroblasts
What is p53 involved in?
Cell cycle arrest
DNA repair
What is the name of the cells that contract to eject milk from acini?
Myoepithelial cells
What is the cellular function of the HER2 gene?
Epidermal growth factor receptor
What is the primary predisposing factor for breast cancer?
Age - 70% diagnosed are over 50
What is the average age of first diagnosis of breast cancer?
60 years
What can looking at oestrogen and progestogen receptor number on excised tumour tissue tell you?
Predictive of prognosis
Determine whether tamoxifen therapy will be effective
What pattern do malignant tumours exhibit on mammograms?
Stellate - spicules of tumour radiating out
Do fibrous areas in the breast appear more or less dense on mammograms?
More
What are the two types of invasive carcinomas?
Invasive ductal carcinoma: 70-80%
Invasive lobular carcinoma
What is the most common type of carcinoma?
Invasive ductal carcinoma
In which part of the breast do invasive ductal carcinomas most commonly form?
Upper outer quadrant
What function does BRCA1 and BRCA2 have?
Cell cycle arrest
Is fibrocystic change physiological or pathological?
Physiological
Which lymph nodes do invasive carcinomas spread to?
Axillary - most common
Supraclavicular
Internal mammary nodes
