Breast Pathology Flashcards
How common is breast cancer?
Affects 1/8 women
Give risk factors for breast cancer
>Age
Early menarche/late menopause
Ionising radiation
FH
Previous breast cancer
COCP/combined hormonal replacement therapy
Genetics
Obesity
Nulliparity
Previous surgery for breast disease
What genes are associated with breast cancer?
BRCA 1
BRCA 2
TP53
PTEN
p53 gene mutations
What are the types of non-invasive breast cancer?
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS/LISM)
What are the types of invasive breast cancer
Invasive ductal carcinoma
Invasive lobular carcinoma
Special types
What is the most common type of breast cancer?
Invasive ductal carcinoma (no special type)
What are the ‘special types’ of breast cancer?
Medullary breast cancer
Tubular carcinoma
Mucinous carcinoma
Carcinoma with medullary features
Metaplastic carcinoma
Which type of breast cancer is associated with spread to opposite breast?
Invasive lobular carcinoma
Where can breast cancer spread?
Local
- Skin
- Pectoral muscles
Lymphatic
- Axillary
- Internal mammary
Blood
- Bone
- Lungs
- Liver
- Brain
What investigations are used in breast cancer diagnosis?
Mammogram X-ray of the breast, soft tissue opacity, microcalcification
Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology
Biopsy
Staging
- Hb
- FBC
- U&Es
- LFTs
What tumour marker is most associated with breast cancer?
CA 15-3
Describe the screening programme for breast cancer
Mammogram every 3 years for women 50-70
After the age of 70 years women may still have mammograms but are ‘encouraged to make their own appointments
Women who are at an increased risk of breast cancer due to their family history may be offered screening from a younger age
How does breast cancer present?
Lump of thickening in breast, often painless
Discharge or bleeding
Change in size or contours of breast
Change in colour of appearance of areola
Redness or pitting of skin over the breast, like the skin of an orange
Fixed to deep tissue, invasive
How is breast cancer managed?
Surgery
- Wide local excision/breast conserving surgery, <4cm wide
- Mastectomy
Radiotherapy
Adjuvant Hormonal therapy
Biological therapy
Chemotherapy
What are the two main groups of anti oestrogen drugs?
Selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERM)
- Tamoxifen
Aromatase inhibitors
- Anastrozole
Give adverse effects of SERMS
Endometrial cancer
VTE
Menstrual disturbance
- Vaginal bleeding
- Amenorrhoea
Menopausal symptoms
Give adverse effects of aromatase inhibitors
Osteoporosis
Hot flushes
Arthalgia
Insomnia
What hormonal therapy is used in women with ER+ breast cancer?
Anastrozole, post menopausal
Tamoxifen, pre menopausal
What hormonal therapy is used in women with HER2+ breast cancer?
Herceptin/Trastuzumab
When is Trastuzumab contraindicated?
History of heart disorders