Histo: Breast pathology Flashcards
What are the three components of investigating breast disease?
- Clinical examination
- Imaging (ultrasound, mammography or MRI)
- Pathology (cytopathology and/or histopathology)
Outline the coding used by cytopathologists when assessing breast aspirates.
- C1 = inadequate
- C2 = benign
- C3 = atypia, probably benign
- C4 = suspicious of malignancy
- C5 = malignant
What is the gold standard for diagnosing breast cancer?
Histopathology
NOTE: 24-hour turnaround time
Describe the appearance of normal breast histology.
- Glandular tissue will be stained purple with pink stroma around it
- The duct and extralobular terminal duct are together referred to as the terminal duct lobular unit (TDLU)
- Myoepithelial cells will be seen around the outside of the epithelial cells - they help pump milk
Define duct ectasia. Describe its presentation.
- Inflammation and dilatation of large breast ducts.
- Typically presents with a breast lump/subareolar mass and nipple discharge / nipple inversion
Describe the histology of duct ectasia.
- The duct will be distended and full of proteinaceous material
- Foamy macrophages will also be present
Define acute mastitis.
Acute inflammation of the breast.
Which group of women tend to be affected by acute mastitis?
Often seen in lactating women due to cracked skin and stasis of breast milk.
Which organism is usually responsible for acute mastitis?
Management for mastitis?
Staphylococci
Continue breastfeeding +/- fluclox
Describe the cytological appearance of acute mastitis.
Lots of neutrophils
Define fat necrosis + how does it present + histological findings?
Inflammatory reaction to damaged adipose tissue
painless breast mass / skin thickening / may mimic carcinoma
Empty fat spaces, histiocytes, giant cells
Cause of fat necrosis & describe the cytological appearance of fat necrosis.
Trauma, radiotherapy, surgery
Empty fat spaces, histiocytes and giant cells
Define fibrocystic disease.
- A group of alterations in the breast which reflect normal, albeit exaggerated, responses to hormonal influences
- On histology, the ducts are usually dilated and calcified
Define fibroadenoma + buzzword for fluctuance-fixed description?
Benign fibroepithelial neoplasm of the breast. Breast mouse - not tethered
Describe the histology of fibroadenoma.
Consists of lots of glandular and stromal cells.
Define Phyllodes tumour.
A group of potentially aggressive fibroepithelial neoplasms of the breast arising from stroma/fibroadenomas
NOTE: the majority are benign
Describe the histology of Phyllodes tumours.
Branching, leaf like fronds, artichoke appearance
Define intraductal papilloma.
A benign papillary tumour arising within the duct system of the breast.
What are the two different types of intraductal papilloma?
- Peripheral papilloma - arises in small terminal ductules
- Central papilloma - arises in large lactiferous ductules
How do intraductal papillomas present?
- Central papillomas present with bloody nipple discharge
- Peripheral papillomas usually remain clinically silent
Describe the histology of intraductal papillomas.
- Histology will show a papillary mass with dilated duct lined with epithelium