Ch 8 Intro to Breast Flashcards
The BC cancer breast screening program is available for women over ___ years old?
40
(the program uses mammography to screen for breast cancer)
What is the #1 screening modality for breast cancer?
Mammography
What is mammography?
-An x-ray of the breast
-It’s the m/c + most effective screening tool
Why is mammography used?
For screening:
-typically asymptomatic pt’s
For diagnostic:
-typically symptomatic pt’s
-or to further assess an abnormality found on a screening mammogram
Mammography is capable of detecting suspicious patterns of ___?
Microcalcifications
What is typically the 1st imaging sign of a developing malignancy?
Microcalcifications
List 5 limitations to mammography?
-Can not detect dense breast tissue as well as fatty breast tissue
-Can not differentiate b/w cystic vs solid (u/s determines this)
-Localization in limited views
-Malignant vs benign features + similarities
-Human error
What is the medical term for dense breast tissue + fatty breast tissue?
Dense: radiopaque
Fatty: radiolucent
When is breast u/s used?
-In adjunct/addition to a mammogram
or
-Alone (ex. with pt’s who have breast trauma, inflammatory changes, etc.)
List advantages to a breast u/s?
-Usually painless
-Low cost
-Non ionizing
-Cystic vs solid differentiation
-Mass localization
-Biopsy guidance
List indications for a breast u/s?
-Young (<30 y/o)
-Pregnant or lactating
-Breast augmentation/implant evaluation
-Male (lump or gynecomastia, which is increased breasts)
-Post operation complications
-Interventional (needle localization, FNA, core biopsy)
-Treatment planning for radiation therapy
3 limitations of a breast u/s?
-Operator + equipment dependent
-Benign vs malignant features are similar
-Microcalcifications detection (better to detect this with mammography)
List advancements with breast u/s?
-Automated whole breast scanners
-3D + 4D u/s
-Elastography
-Contrast enhanced u/s
-AI programs
Are mammary glands exocrine or endocrine glands?
Exocrine - meaning produces milk through ducts
What is the primary function of mammary glands?
To produce milk
What is the composition of mammary glands?
Glandular, fatty + fibrous connective tissues, blood vessels, lymphatics and nerves
What 2 main factors play a role in mammary gland composition?
Age + hormonal status
What do the glandular elements primarily do in the mammary glands?
Function to produce + convey milk
What do the stromal elements consist of in the mammary glands?
Fat, fibrous connective tissues, blood vessels, lymphatics + nerves
What 2 elements compose the mammary glands?
Glandular + stromal elements
How do the breasts develop?
Paired sets of breasts grow from the mammary ridges in the thoracic region, along the ectodermal milk lines in utero
What is another term for “unilateral early ripening”
Unilateral premature thelarche
(thelarche = start of breast growth)
What is unilateral early ripening?
-Development of 1 breast before the other, before 8 years old
-By puberty both breasts should become comparable in size
What is precocious puberty?
Development of both breasts before 8 years old
Are breast anomalies common?
No
Is congenital nipple inversion normal or abnormal?
Normal variant
What is the m/c variant?
Polythelia (accessory nipple)
List 6 breast anomalies?
-Congenital nipple inversion (normal)
-Polythelia (m/c, accessory nipple)
-Polymastia (rare, complete accessory breast)
-Hypoplasia or hypertrophy (uni or bilateral)
-Amastia (rare, failure of breast tissue to develop + is m/c accompanied by congenital absence of the nipple/athelia)
-Amazia (acquired condition, absence of breast tissue but nipple is still present)
What are the 3 external breast anatomy structures?
-Skin (hair follicles, sebaceous + sweat glands)
-Nipple (fibromuscular projection)
-Areola (encircles nipple)