Breast pathology

Question 1

At what age is breast screening offered?

Answer 1

50yrs old. Will have received an invite before her 53rd birthday

Question 2

What are the three components of the triple assessment?

Answer 2

• Clinical eg. examination
• Radiological
• Pathological eg. cytology or histopathology

The results all need to be discussed at a multidisciplinary team meeting

Question 3

What is a fibroadenoma and how does it present?

Answer 3

Fibroadenomas present as mobile lumps or radiological masses
They are fibroepithelial neoplasms in which there is co-ordinated growth of the glandular and connective tissue

Question 4

What are Phyllodes tumours?

Answer 4

a rare fibroepithelial neoplasm which form a spectrum of lesions. At one end are lesions very similar to fibroadenomas.
Rarely malignant but can be.

Question 5

What is Fibrocystic change?

Answer 5

So common it is almost physiological. May present as a lump.

Includes usual type ductal hyperplasia, apocrine metaplasia and cysts. May be associated with microcalcifications.

Question 6

What is a possible explanation for a retracted nipple?

Answer 6

fibroblasts surrounding a carcinoma can contract, pulling the nipple in wards

Question 7

What is Peau d’orange and what causes it?

Answer 7

A swollen, pitted, orangy skin surface overlying carcinoma of the breast. Cancer cells block the lymphatic capillaries, causing the oedema