Breast Week Flashcards
What is the sentinal node?
sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the first axillary lymph node that will collect cancerous cells from the breast if the cells have entered the lymphatic system (nb there can be more than 1)
What adjuvant treatment should be given to ER postiitve tumor patients?
Tamoxifen or Aromatase Inhibitors (e.g. anastrozole)
What adjuvant treatment should be given toHER2 postiitve tumor patients?
trastuzumab (Herceptin)
If a woman has already has radiotherapy in prev cancer is she able to have it again
Normally no
In terms of HER2/ER/PR, when is chemo indicated?
Chemotherapy with anti-HER2 therapy is indicated for HER2 positive cancers even for small tumours.
Similarly, chemotherapy is also indicated in ‘triple negative’ cancers (ER negative, PR negative, HER2 negative) even in small tumours.
What are these? Are they normal?
These are Montgomery’s tubercles which are sebaceous glands in the areola around the nipple. They are a normal finding, but may become more pronounced during pregnancy.
Why might having “dense” breasts cause problems?
- 5 x more likely to develop breast cancer
- Harder to distinguish lumps on mammogram
What does each stage mean in “P” assessment of lump?
P1 = normal
P2 = benign
P3 = uncertain
P4 = suspicious
P5 = malignant
What is screening?
Asking healthy, symptom free people of a certain group (e.g. age) to come in and have some tests that pick up common asymptomatic disease in that group, so that we can treat them early and give a better outcome.
What are some disadvantages of breast screening?
- Mammography is uncomfortable and involves a small amount of radiation
- False-positive results may cause unnecessary anxiety
- Breast screening occasionally misses a cancer
- Breast cancer may occur in the interval between screening appointments
- Screening may diagnose a cancer which never needed treating
How often is breast screening done?
Every 3 years
What should you tell someone going for screening to prepare them?
- Mrs Gupta will need to undress to the waist so she might prefer to wear a top and skirt or trousers rather than a dress.
- Women are normally advised not to wear talcum powder or deodorant as these can cause artefacts on the mammogram.
- She will be asked some questions about her previous breast history, HRT use and family history.
- She might like to know that all mammographers in the NHS breast screening programme are female.
Of 100 women having breast screening, how many will be recalled from screening and how many will have breast cancer?
4 women will be recalled, 1 of these will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
What are some causes of microcalcifications?
Malignant:
- DCIS
Benign:
- fibroadenomas
- cysts
- trauma or
- surgery to the breast
What kind of biopsy is needed in microcalcifications?
Stereotactic (mammogram guided) biopsy
- USS does not show microcalcifications well
Why is a specimen x-ray performed after a stereotactic core biopsy?
To check the tissue is from the right area - i/e showing microcalcifications
What pattern does microcalcification in DCIS form?
Why?
Branching pattern following the milk ducts.
Because the cancer forms in the milk ducts and doesn’t spread accross the basement membrane
How is DCIS followed up?
Annual mammogram and clinical examination for five years
What are the risk factors for breast cancer?
Genetic:
- BRACA1/2 40% lifetime risk of breast/ovarian cancer
- 1st degree relative premenopausal relative with breast cancer (e.g. mother)
- Previous Breast Cancer
- p53 gene mutations
- Dense breasts
Obs/gynae - Oestrogen exposure:
- nulliparity
- 1st pregnancy > 30 yrs (=twice risk of women having 1st child < 25 yrs)
- Not breastfeeding (not HER2)
- early menarche
- late menopause
Lifestyle:
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Alcohol
Treatments:
- Radiation of chest
- HRT
- COCP