Breast Pathology Flashcards
What imaging modalities are used for the breasts?
Mammogram
Ultrasound
MRI
What are the 5 classifications from fine needle aspiration?
C1 - unsatisfactory C2 - benign C3 - atypia C4 - suspicious C5 - malignant
Describe how fine needle aspiration is carried out
Orange or blue needle syringe put into the area of interest and aspirated
(Epithelial cells come out easier than stromal cells)
What samples from the breast can be sent for cytopathology?
Fluid from cysts
Nipple discharge
Nipple scrape
What histopathological techniques can be used for investigation of breast lumps?
Needle core biopsy
Vacuum assisted biopsy
Skin biopsy
Incisional biopsy
What are the classifications given from needle core biopsy?
B1 - Unsatisfactory B2 - Benign B3 - atypia B4 - suspicious B5 - malignant B5a - carcinoma in situ B5b - invasive carcinoma
Which muscle does the blood supply to the breast pass through?
Pec major
Give examples of developmental abnormalities of the breast
Hypoplasia
Juvenile hypertrophy
Accessory tissue/nipples
Give examples of non-neoplastic benign breast disease
Gynaecomastia Fibrocystic change Hamartoma Fibroadenoma Sclerosing lesions - sclerosing adenosis, radial scar, complex sclerosing lesions
What is gynaecomastia?
Breast development in the male
Duct growth without lobular development
What can cause gynaecomastia?
Hormones
Cannabis
Prescription drugs
Liver disease
Who gets fibrocystic changes in the breast?
Women 20-50
But mostly 40-50
What menstrual features are associated with fibrocystic change?
Early menarche
Late menopause
Menstrual abnormality
How does fibrocystic change in the breast present?
Smooth discrete lumps
Sudden pain due to bleeding or rupture
Cyclical pain
Lumpiness
Describe the cysts found in fibrocystic change in the breasts
1mm - several cm Blue domed with pale fluid Multiple Thin walled Lined with apocrine epithelium
How is fibrocystic change in the breast managed?
Exclude malignancy
Reassure
Can excise if necessary
What is a hamartoma?
Well circumscribed lesion composed of cell types normal to breast but present in abnormal proportion or distribution
Who commonly gets fibroadenomas?
African women
20s
How does a fibroadenoma present?
Solitary Painless Firm Mobile Grey-white colour Local hyperplasia "Breast mouse"
How does a fibroadenoma appear on ultrasound?
Solid
How is a fibroadenoma managed?
Reassure
Excise
What is the difference between a radial scar and a complex sclerosing lesion?
Size
Radial scar 1-9mm
CSL 10+mm
What is sclerosing adenosis?
Proliferative lesion which has become hardened, damaged or distorted
How does a radial scar appear?
With central puckering
Translucent, oval lesions in the middle
How does a radial scar/CSL appear histologically?
Fibro-elastic core
Radiating fibrosis
Fibrocystic change
Epithelial proliferation
Give examples of inflammatory breast disease
Fat necrosis
Duct ectasia
Acute mastitis
Abscess
What causes fat necrosis?
Local trauma eg surgery, seatbelt injury
Warfarin therapy
Describe the pathophysiology of fat necrosis
Trauma causing damage and disruption of adipocytes
Infiltration by acute inflammatory cells
Foamy macrophages enter
Subsequent fibrosis and scarring
How is fat necrosis managed?
Exclude malignancy
What is duct ectasia?
Blockage or clogging or one lactiferous duct
How does duct ectasia present?
Inflammation, pain, hot Fibrosis and scarring Distortion Discharge Nipple retraction/distortion
How is duct ectasia managed?
Treat acute infection
Exclude malignancy
Stop smoking
Excise ducts
What is a Phyllode’s tumour?
Biphasic, slow-growing, unilateral tumour with stromal overgrowth
What age group most commonly get Phyllode’s tumour?
40-50
How may intraduct papilloma present?
Nipple discharge and blood
Can be asymptomatic