Breast pathology Flashcards
What type of calcification is important for the diagnosis of mammographic lesions?
Dystrophic calcification
Breast cancers are often what shape?
Stellate
Where do most breast lesions arise?
From the epithelium of the terminal duct lobular unit.
What are two somatic mutations commonly found in sporadic cases of Breast carcinoma?
p53
HER2
What is HER2?
proto-oncogene belonging to the family of epidermal growth factor receptors. Gene amplification is present in approximately 20% of tumours
What are 3 genes that cause breast cancer and are inherited in an Autosomal dominant fashion?
BRCA1, BRCA2, p53
How does oestrogen increase the risk of breast cancer?
Oestrogen stimulates breast growth driving cycles of proliferation that increase risk of DNA mutations
Describe an invasive breast carcinoma.
"Schirrous" and firm Stellate Radiating spicules of fibrous tissues Calcification associated Irregular margin
What are the two main types of Invasive carcinoma?
Invasive ductal carcinoma
Invasive lobular carcinoma
Which main type of invasive carcinoma is most common?
Invasive ductal carcinoma (70-80%)
What is the most common position of invasive ductal carcinoma?
50% in upper outer quadrant of breast
Which receptors in breast carcinoma are prognostic and predictive factors?
HER2,
ER/PR
Which drug could be used to treat an oestrogen-receptor positive breast cancer?
Tamoxifen
What is required for the use of trasuzumab/herceptin?
HER2 amplification
What percentage of tumours have HER2 amplification? What drug is used to treat these tumours?
20-25%. Trastuzumab/herceptin
