Breast Pathology

Question 1

What is the histological term for the shrinking of the uterus after pregnancy or post menopause?

Answer 1

Involution

Question 2

Name some benign breast conditions

Answer 2

Fibroadenoma
Fat necrosis (from trauma)
Fibrocystic change
Duct Ectasia (nipple discharge)
Intraduct Papilloma
Tubular Adenoma
Lactating Adenoma

Question 3

What are the risk factors for breast cancer?

Answer 3

Increasing age
Female sex
Ethnic origin
High socioeconomic class
Positive FHx/genetic predisposition
Endogenous oestrogen exposure
Exogenous oestrogen/progestin exposure
High levels of alcohol consumption
Radiation exposure
Benign breast disease
Increased breast density
Reduced physical activity
Poor diet
Smoking
Personal History

Question 4

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

Answer 4

Breast mass
Nipple discharge
Axillary lymphadenopathy
Skin changes

Question 5

What are the histological types of breast cancer?

Answer 5

Non-invasive- DCIS, LCIS

Invasive- Invasive ductal carcinoma, invasive lobular carcinoma, special types

Question 6

What is the meaning of microcalcifications in the breast seen on mammography?

Answer 6

Usually normal

Can sometimes be a sign for pre cancer

Question 7

What is looked for on mammography?

Answer 7

Masses

Microcalcification

Question 8

What information about the breast cancer should be included in a histology report?

Answer 8

Invasive vs. Non-invasive .
Histological Type- Ductal or Lobular
Grade (estimate of the aggressiveness under
microscope) .
Size
Margins
Lymph Nodes
Estrogen/ Progesterone Receptor
HER-2

Question 9

What are the symptoms of Paget’s disease of the nipple?

Answer 9

Limited to the nipple or extend to the areola
Pain or itching, scaling and redness
Ulceration, crusting, and serous or bloody discharge

Question 10

What drug is used to treat HER2 positive breast cancer?

Answer 10

Trastuzumab

Monoclonal antibody