Breast pathology: Breast cancer Flashcards
(33 cards)
How common is breast cancer compared to other cancers in woman?
Most common cancer in woman (1 in 8 women will get breast cancer)
Woman of what age are most susceptible to breast cancer?
> 50 years (post-menopausal)
Peak incidence: 75-80 yrs
Most breast cancers are of which type?
Adenocarcinoma
Where do breast adenocarcinomas tend to arise from?
Terminal duct lobular units
What location of the breast are breast cancer leesions typically felt?
In upper outer quadrant of breast
In some breast cancers, there is overexpression/amplification of receptors. Give 3 examples of receptors which can be over-expressed.
Oestrogen receptors
Progesterone receptors
HER2 receptors
Breast cancers with over-expression of which receptors are responsive to tamixofen?
Oestrogen receptors
Progesterone receptors
What is tamixofen?
Anti-oestrogen medication
(mixed agonist/antagonists of oestrogen at its receptor)
Breast cancers with over-expression of which receptors are associated with more aggresive cancer?
HER2
What are HER2 receptors structurally?
Transmembrane glycoproteins with tyrosine kinase activity
What is the role of HER2 receptors?
Responsible for epithelial growth and differentiation
Normally HER2 receptors are present in small amounts in which organs of the body?
Breast
Ovaries
What percentage of breast cancers have over-expression of HER2?
25-30%
HER2 overexpression can occur in which parts of the body?
Breast
Ovaries
Salivary glands
Stomach
Lungs
HER2 positive cancers are more likely to respond to what type of medications?
Anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies
Name 2 examples of an anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody used in treatment of HER2 +ve breast cancer
Trastuzumab
Herceptin
What are tripple negative breast cancers?
Breast cancers with no overexpression of progesterone, oestrogen or HER2 receptors
How aggresive are tripple negative breast cancers compared to other forms?
Most aggresive type of breast cancer
Where is the first site of metastases in breast cancer?
Axillary lymph nodes
What are the three most common sites of metastases for breast cancer?
Lung
Liver
Bones
What are the 2 strongest risk factors for breast cancer?
Advancing age
Family history
Women with which type of family history tend to have an even higher risk of hereditary breast cancer?
Women with >1 close relative with pre-menopausal breast cancer
A family history of which other cancer is associated with increased risk of breast cancer?
Ovarian cancer
Why is there a link between family history of ovarian and breast cancer?
Both cancers are associated with mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2
