Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Repro Week 1 > Breast Pathology Pre-Study > Flashcards

Breast Pathology Pre-Study Flashcards

1
Q

Most breast cancers arise where?

A

In the terminal duct lobular unit (TDLU) consisting of the terminal ducts, the lobules, and the surrounding stroma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the most common palpable lesions of the breast?

A

cysts, fibroadenomas, and invasive carcinomas

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

These are the histopathologic findings in a series of women seeking evaluation of breast ‘lumps’

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Approximately 50% of carcinomas are located in what part of the breast?

A

the upper outer quadrant

NOTE: Only 10% of breast masses in women younger than age 40 are malignant as compared with 60% of masses in women older than age 50 (this number drops off around 80 yo)

the majority of cancers that have the capacity to metastasize will have done so by the time they reach a size that can be palpated—generally around 2 to 3 cm.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the major symptoms of breast disease (in order)?

A

lumpiness or palpable mass

pain

nipply discharge

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the common common causes for nipple pain?

A

fibrocystic changes that are cyclic with the menstrual period or

due to obstruction or inflammation (especially in breastfeeding women)

NOTE: Only about 10% of breast cancers are painful

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Bloody nipple discharge suggest what?

A

large duct papiloma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Why would it make sense to group fibrocystic breast changes into non-proliferative vs. proliferative changes?

A

Non-proliferative changes have a very small chance of transforming into cancer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are fibrocystic changes?

A

These are the most common breast abnormality in pre-menopausal women and are most likely to be a consequence of the cyclic breast changes that occur normally during the menstrual cycle and result in either some form of fibrosis or cyst formation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Does estrogen therapy increase the risk of fibrocystic change? What about oral contraceptives?

A

No to either, and oral contraceptives may actually decrease the risk

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Describe the morphology of non-proliferative fibrocytic changes in the breast

A

A single, large cyst may form within one breast, but changes are usually multifocal that appear as ill-defined, diffusely increased densities and nodules on mammography.

Unopened cysts are brown to blue in color (blue dome cysts) and are filled with fluid and secretions that may calcify to produce microcalcifications on mammaograms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is this showing?

A

There is a very pink epithelium characteristic of a nonproliferative cyst. Frequently, the lining cells are large and polygonal with eosinophilic cytoplasm, a process called apocrine metaplasia which is virtually always benign

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is this showing?

A

Apocrine metaplasia, which is almost always benign

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Normal ducts and lobules of the breast are lined by what?

A

two layers of cells- a layer of luminal cells overlying a second layer of myoepithelial cells

NOTE: In order to diagnose an invasive carcinoma, these layers must be destroyed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is a common sign of proliferative change?

A

epithelial hyperplasia, or the presence of more than two layers of cells lining to ducts and lobules of the breast (increas

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the types of epithelial hyperplasia?

A

usual duct hyperplasia (below- note that slitlike fenestrations in the duct lumen) and atypical duct hyperplasia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is this showing?

A

Atypical ductal hyperplasia- is recognized by its histologic resemblance to ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). It consists of a relatively monomorphic proliferation of regularly spaced cells (with no overlap), sometimes with cribriform spaces.

Most surgeons will remove cells with atypical ductal hyperplasia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is this?

A

Atypical lobular hyperplasia- consists of cells identical to those of lobular carcinoma in situ, but the cells do not fill or distend more than 50% of the acini within a lobule.

Surgeons typically do not surgically excise these cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is sclerosing adenosis (aka too many glands)?

A

A type of fibrocystic change that is less common than cysts and hyperplasia but is significant because it mimics carcinoma closely.

The involved terminal duct lobular unit is enlarged, and the acini are compressed and distorted by dense stroma.

Calcifications are present within some of the lumens.

Unlike carcinomas, the acini are arranged in a swirling pattern, and the outer border is well circumscribed.

The acini at the edge of a focus of sclerosing adenosis appear round and smoothly contoured. They possess a two-layered epithelium composed of both luminal and myoepithelial cells, and a basement membrane encloses each acinus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q
A

The radiograph shows an irregular central mass with long radiodense projections.

Grossly the mass appears solid and has irregular borders, but it is not as firm as an invasive carcinoma.

The mass consists of a central nidus of small tubules entrapped in a densely fibrotic stroma and numerous projections containing epithelium with varying degrees of cyst formation and hyperplasia.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What types of fibrocystic changes have minimal or no increased risk of breast carcinoma?

A

fibrosis, cystic changes, apocrine metaplasia, and mild hyperplasia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What types of fibrocystic changes have slightly increased (1.5-2x) risk of breast carcinoma?

A

moderate to florid hyperplasia (without atypia), ductal papillomatosis, sclerosing adenosis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What types of fibrocystic changes have significantly increased risk of breast carcinoma?

A

atypical hyperplasia, whether ductal or lobular, DCIS, and LCIS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

How do inflammatory processes of the breast typically present?

A

They are uncommon and are usually associated with pain and tenderness in the affected areas

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What are some causes of inflammation in the breast?

A

Acute mastitis

Fat encrosis

Mammary duct ectasia

Lymphocytic mastitis

Granulomatous mastitis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What is the most common cause of acute mastitis?

A

It typically develops when bacteria, usually Staph aureus, gain access to breast tissue through the ducts, typically during breastfeeding and typically presents as single or mutiple abscesses. Usually found in the lateral breast

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What causes fat necrosis in the breast?

A

It is an uncommon lesion that produces a mass, typically as the result of trauma that presents as a central focus of necrotic fat surrounded by neutrophils that later becomes enclosed by firous tissue and is eventually replaced by scar tissue or a cyst.

Calcifications may also develop in either the scar or cyst wall

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What causes mammary duct ectasia?

A

a nonbacterial chronic inflammation associated with nipple obstruction most commonly. Ductal dilation and eventual rupture leads to reactive changes in the surrounding tissue that may present as a poorly defined periareolar mass with nipple retraction (mimics some cancer).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What are some known associations with lymphocytic mastitis?

A

Diabetes and possibly autoimmune

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What are the common tumors of the breast?

A

¤Fibroadenoma (FA)

¤Phyllodes Tumor

¤Intraductal papilloma

¤Carcinoma

¤Gynecomastia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What are fibroadenomas?

A

The most common neoplasm of the female breast (especially common in women in their 30s), it is a biphasic tumor composed of fibroblastic stroma and epithelium-lined glands (but only the stromal cells are clonal are truly neoplastic)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Describe the gross appearance of fibroadenomas. How are they diagnosed?

A

They are usually discrete, firm, and mobile (feels rubbery and compressable) and on cut-section take on a uniform tan-white color, with softer yellow-pink specks representing the glandular areas.

Diagnosis is made by needle-core biopsy or excision

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What causes fibroadenomas?

A

They are thought to be controlled by estrogen and characteristically can enlarge late in the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy and may regress and calcify after menopause

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

How do fibroadenomas appear histologically?

A

They are characterized by a loss fibroblastic stroma containing ductlike, epithelium-lined spaces

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

What are phyllodes tumors?

A

These are also biphasic, being composed of neoplastic cells and epithelium-lined glands. However, they can be distinguished from fibroadenomas because they are more cellular and form epithelium-lined leaflife projections

These arise de novo and are usually benign

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Phyllodes tumors can be malignant. What are some indicators of a malignant prognosis?

A

increased stromal cellularity, rapid size increase, 10+ mitotic figures, and infiltrative margins.

NOTE: Even malignant tumors tend to remain localized (85%)

Be suspicious about a ‘fibroadenoma’ if it is large (> 35mm) and from an older woman (> 35 yrs)The surgeon may alert you to a history of recent growth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Benign Borderline Malignant

Pushing boundary Yes Usually Not usually

Stromal/epithelial balance Even Even Uneven

Stromal cellularity High High High

Variab. of stromal cellularity: Yes Yes Yes ++

Stromal mitoses /10 hpf < 5 5 - 10 >10

A

Phyloddes prognosis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

What are Intraductal papillomas?

A

Benign neoplastic papillary growth most often seen in premenopausal women, and commonly found within the principal lactiferous ducts or sinuses.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

How do intraductal papillomas tend to present?

A
  • serous or blood nipple discharge
  • the presence of a small subareolar tumor a few millimeters in diameter
  • nipple retraction in rare cases
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

Describe what you see

A

Intraductal papilloma

A central fibrovascular core extends from the wall of a duct.

The papillae arborize within the lumen and are lined by myoepithelial and luminal cells.

41
Q

How common is breast cancer in women?

A

It is the most common cancer in women and the 2nd highest killer of women behind lung cancer (40K/yr). The lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is 1 in 8

Prevalence: In 2012, there were an estimated 2,975,314 women living with breast cancer in the United States.

42
Q

What are the risk factors for developing breast cancer?

A
  • age (especially after menopause and peaking at age 80)
  • higher in the US and northern europe
  • race (higher in white women, but hispanics and AA are more likely to develop it at a younger age and to have more aggressive tumors)
  • prolonged exposure to exogenous estrogen postmenopausally (i.e. for the use of osteoporosis)
  • ionizing radiation to the chest (but only in younger women- under 30)
  • obesity, alcohol, and high fat diet
43
Q

Why would obesity lead to increased risk of breast cancer?

A

Because of increased estrogen produced by adipose tissue

44
Q

What are some things that do NOT raise the risk of breast cancer?

A
  • oral contraceptives
  • low doses of radiation associated with mammogram screening
45
Q

What is this?

A

breast carcinoma

46
Q
A

White 21.3

Black 30.2

Asian /
Pacific Islander 11.4

American Indian /
Alaska Native 15.0

Hispanic 14.5

Non-Hispanic 22.6

U.S. 2008-2012, Age-Adjusted

47
Q

Although the exact pathogenesis of breast cancer remain incompletely understood, there are three main parts of its development, namely:

A
  • genetic changes
  • hormonal influences
  • environmental variables
48
Q

How common is HER2/NEU proto-oncogene overexpression in breast cancer development?

A

It is amplified in up to 30% of invasive breast cancers. This gene is a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor family and its overexpression is associated with a poor prognosis

49
Q

Other mutations common in breast cancer?

A
  • Amplification of RAS ans MYC
  • mutations of RB and TP53
  • BRCA 1/2
50
Q

Gene expression profiling can separate breast cancer into what four molecular subtypes?

A

1) Luminal A (ER +, HER2/NEU -)
2) Luminal B (ER +; HER2/NEU overexpressing)
3) HER2/NEU positive (HER/NEU overexpressing; ER -)
4) Basal like (ER-; HER2/NEU -)

51
Q

What percentage of breast cancer is linked to inherited mutations?

A

10%. These are more likely to be bilateral, assoicated with other cancers, have a Fam Hx, to develop before menopause, and have BRCA mutations

52
Q

What are BRCA 1/2?

A

Tumor suppressor genes (Thus, both alleles must be inactivated to cause cancer)

53
Q

Describe BRCA 1

A

This tumor suppressor gene is located at 17q21 and is:

oAD

oBRCA1 mutations are present in 10% of women with (a) no family history, (b) breast cancer onset by age 40 years, and (c) high grade, triple negative tumors

obreast cancer usually develops by ages 40-59

54
Q

What are the most effective predictors of BRCA1 mutation?

A

age of onset under 50 years, and triple negative status

55
Q

What are some other genetic diseases assoicated with breast cancer?

A

Li-Faumeni Syndrome

Cowden Syndrome (PTEN mutation)

Ataxia-telangiectsia gene carriers

56
Q

How would a women with a known BRCA1 mutation (but not actually breast cancer yet) be treated?

A

Carriers are subject to close foolw-up or prophylactic mastectomy

  • Tamoxifen may prevent bilateral breast cancers in ER negative tumors
  • Increased risk of recurrence after breast conserving surgery
  • BRCA1 status does not appear to affect death rates, but is associated with resistance certain chemotherapy agents
57
Q

What histo manifestations may indicate an increased likelihood that BRCA1 mutations may be present?

A

There may be:

  • Usually high grade (basal-like phenotype)
  • abundant intra- and peritumoral lymphocytes
  • Greater incidence of medullary tumors
  • High incidence of DCIS
58
Q

BRCA2

A

oUsually get breast cancer by age 50

oPatients also have higher risk of cancers of ovary (39-63%), bone, pharynx, prostate, pancreas; also other organs

Slightly more frequent in black (2.6%) versus white (2.1%) American patients

59
Q

Where is BRCA2 located?

A

chromosome 13q12-13

60
Q

What is the micro-description of BRCA2 mutations in the breast?

A

The micro appearance isnt as useful as in BRCA1

oUsually invasive ductal carcinoma, no special type

oHigh grade features and pushing tumor margin

oHigh incidence of DCIS

61
Q

What hormonal influences may lead to an increased risk of breast cancer?

A

Estrogen excess, or hormonal imbalance has a clear role. Many of the risk factors (long duration of reproductive life, nulliparity, and late age of birth of the first child) are related to exposure of estrogen unopposed by progesterone. Functional ovarian tumors may also increase estrogen production

62
Q

How does estrogen promote tumor development?

A

It stimulates production of growth factors, such as transforming growth factor-a, PDGF, and FGF which promote tumor development

63
Q

Breast cancers are classified according to whether they have or not penetrated the basement membrane. What are some non-invasive breast cancers?

A
  1. Ductal carcinoma in situ
  2. Lobular carcinoma in situ

These tumors still have both levels of membrane

64
Q

What are some invasive breast cancers?

A
  1. Invasive ductal carcinoma
  2. Invasive lobular carcinoma
  3. Medullary carcinoma
  4. Colloid carcinoma (mucinous carcinoma)
  5. Tubular carcinoma
  6. Other
65
Q

Both DCIS and LCIS arise from where?

A

cells in the terminal duct lobular unit

66
Q

What is this?

A

This is a variant of ductal carcinoma in situ (cribiform). Of the many potential appearances of DCIS, incouding papillary, solid, comedo, and clinging types, all can present with necrosis, especially comedo.

Another frequent assoication with DCIS is the presence of calcifications

67
Q

What is the prognosis of DCIS?

A

97% long term survival after simple mastectomy.

68
Q

What are the treatment options of DCIS?

A

Current treatment options include lumpectomy, radiation and antiestrogenic agents such as tamoxifen and aromatase

69
Q

What is this?

A

High grade comedo type DCIS- marked by a central, prominent necrosis and mitotic figures. There is abut a 30% chance of local invasion so most pts. opt to surgically remove. These often show calcifications that can be picked up by mammography

70
Q

What causes Paget disease of the nipple?

A

extension of DCIS up the lactiferous ducts into nipple skin

71
Q

What is this?

A

LCIS marked by uniform, monomorphic cells, loss of e-cadherin, and intracellular mucin filled vacuoles (rarely associated with calcifications so mammogram might not pick up)

72
Q

How is LCIS treated?

A

either chemotherapy or close follow-up

73
Q

How do LCIS progress?

A

1/3 of women with LCIS will develop invasive carcinoma. Unlike DCIS, subsequent invasive carcinomas may arise in either breast

74
Q
A
75
Q

What are invasive ductal carcinomas?

A

A term for all carcinomas that do not fit other categories (represent 70-80% of invasive breast tumors)

NOTE: These arise from terminal duct lobular units (as do lobular carcinomas), not ductal epithelium, so nomenclature is not actually accurate

76
Q

IDC is usually associated with _____

A

DCIS, and rarely LCIS

77
Q

What is the key to diagonsis of a IDC?

A

NO myoepithelial cell layer

78
Q

What is this?

A

IDC- again, there is a lack of of myoepithelial cells surrounding the tumor cells

79
Q

Describe invasive lobular carcinomas

A

Typically arise from and mimic LCIS. The tumor cells individually invaded the strome and often align in ‘single-file’ strands or chains and again, are commonly associated with loss of function mutations of CDH1 , the gene that encodes E-cadherin

80
Q

Mutations in CDH1 is also assoicated with what?

A

Males and females with heterozygous germline mutations in CDH1 also have a greatly increased risk of gastric signet ring cell carcinoma.

81
Q

Describe what is being seen in these lobular duct carcinomas

A

Top: the loss of E-caderins results in lining of cells

Bottom: targetoid vacuoles can be seen and mucin can be seen pushing the nuclei to the side

82
Q

How do invasive lobular carcinomas spread?

A

they spread to CSF, serosal surfaces, the GI tract, and bone marrow

83
Q

Describe medullary carcinomas of the breast

A

These are very rare characterized by a high level of lymphplasmacytic infiltrate (DCIS is usually absen tor minimal)

84
Q

Medullary carcinomas ocur

A
85
Q

T or F. Medullary carcinomas tend to be triple negative

A

T. They lack estrogen and progesterone receptors AND do not overexpress HER2/NEU

86
Q

What are some histological characteristics of medullary carcinomas of the breast?

A
  • Indistinct cell borders (syncytial growth)
  • Large pleomorphic tumor cells containing large nuclei, prominent nucleoli, numerous mitotic figures
  • Prominent lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate at periphery
  • Pushing borders / well circumscribed and not as invasive (which is probably why these pts. Have a good prognosis- easy to remove)
87
Q

What is this?

A

A colloid/mucinous carcinoma, in which histologically tumor cells can be seen floating in large amounts of mucin

These tumors are slow-growing, found in women over 70 yo, and have a great 10 yr survival rate. On gross exam, these tumors feel gelantous and soft.

88
Q

Describe tubular carcinomas

A

These are rare tumors that have a favorable prognosis and are composed of:

  • distinct, well-differentiated angular tubular structures (90%+ according to WHO) with
  • open lumina,
  • lined by a single layer of epithelial cells
89
Q

T or F. Tubular carcinomas express hormone receptors but do not show HER2/NEU overexpression

A

T.

90
Q

What is this?

A

Micropapillary variant of breast carcinoma- these are very aggressive (95% have lymph node metastases at presentation; 70% recur, 50% die of disease) and have a poor prognosis

91
Q

What is this showing?

A

Paget Disease of the nipple- This presents as a slow growing, itchy rash rash over the nipple (confused with allergic dermatitis) and characterized by epidermal infiltration by malignant glandular cells and commonly an underlying carcinoma

92
Q

What is inflammatory carcinoma?

A

The clinical presentation of an enlarged, swollen, breast usually without a palpable mass and an underlying ductal carcinoma that is poorly differentiated with invasion of dermal lymphatics. This can mimic infection.

The prognosis is very bad

93
Q
A
94
Q

What is this?

A

Peau d-orange appearance- this is commonly due to invasive cancers adhereing to pectoral muscle or deep fascia in the breast and resulting dimpling, as well as blocked lymphatics

95
Q

What is the main use of mammography?

A

It can help identify breast masses before they are palpable, at which time 50% are already metastasizing

96
Q

Why is mammogram screeening better in older women?

A

breast becomes more fatty and easier to visualize

97
Q

Gynecomastia

A

Histologically men have no lobules, so it is marked by increased ducts and prominent stroma – maybe edematous with increased cellularity, late phase may have fibrosis

Physiologic can occur in puberty and old age

98
Q

What are some of the main causes of gynecomastia?

A

Causes include cirrhosis (liver cannot metabolize estrogen), Klinefelter syndrome, anabolic steroids, and drugs

Repro Week 1 (28 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions