L33 Breast Pathology Flashcards
What part of the breast is the origin of most malignant lesions?
Terminal ductal-lobular units (TDLU)
What are the 2 layers of terminal ductal lobular units?
Which layer is affected by most lesions?
- Inner epithelial layer (most lesions)
2. Outer myoepithelial layer
Name 3 differential diagnoses for a breast lump.
- Fibrocystic changes (MC)
- Fibroadenoma (MC tumor)
- CA breast
Mastalgia (breast pain) can be cyclic (1) or non-cyclic (4).
Give ddx for both.
Cyclic: Fibrocystic changes (MC) Non-cyclic: - Acute mastitis - Fibroadenoma - Sclerosing adenosis ( benign proliferative condition of the terminal duct lobular units characterized by an increased number of acini and their glands) - inflammatory CA breast
Give the possible diagnoses for nipple discharge with the below color changes:
- Milky
- Serous
- Yellow serous
- Lactation
- Early pregnancy
- Fibrocystic change
Give the possible diagnoses for nipple discharge with the below color changes:
- Purulent
- Green
- Bright blood
- Acute mastitis
- Ductal ectasia
( benign (non-cancerous) breast condition that occurs when a milk duct in the breast widens and its walls thicken. This can cause the duct to become blocked and lead to fluid build-up.) - Intraductal papilloma (single orifice), fibrocystic change (haemorrhagic), CA breast
What are the triple assessment of breast?
- Clinical examination
- Imaging
- Histopathological
Name the 3 modalities of imaging of the breast.
- USG
- Mammography
- MRI
What lesions do you expect to see in mammography? (3) It is preferred to be done in what patients?
Low dose X-rays
- Spiculated mass lesions
- Pleomorphic calcifications
- Architectual distortion
Preferred in women >35 years old
- Better resolution in less dense breast
What are the malignant features that can be seen on ultrasound? (5)
It is preferred to be done in what patients?
BITCH
- Borders: spiculation, microlobulation, angular margins
- Internal Calcification
- Taller than wide (fir-tree appearance, invasion of fascia)
- Central vascularity/ Compressibility ((malignant lesions displace breast tissue w/o change in height))
- Hypoechoic nodule/ posterior acoustic shadowing
Done in patients <35 years old, breast with higher density
MRI breast can be used to assess? (3)
Mass, blood flow, vascular permeability
What are the histopathological investigations done for the breast? (2) What are studied in these 2 investigations? (2)
- Fine needle aspiration - only cytology (cell morphology)
- Core needle biopsy
- Cytology + Tissue architecture (differentiate invasive and non-invasice)
- Stain for ER/PR status > important for anti-oestrogen treatment
Fibrocystic changes
A. The MC cause of breast mass in women <50 years old
B. MC cause of cyclic breast pain
C. Result of an exaggeration/distortion of cyclic breast changes related to menstrual cycle
D. OCP and hormonal replacement therapies are risk factors
E. Fibrosis and calcifications may be seen
D is incorrect
- OCP and HRT does not increase the incidence
Cysts can be seen in fibrocystic changes, and they often appear to be multiple. There are cystic dilatations with serous blood or fluid, often lined by _______________ cells.
Large cysts often contain brown fluid (post-hemorrhagic), which imparts a blue color onto the intact cyst.
Metaplastic apocrine cells
i.e. the transformation of breast epithelial cells into an apocrine or sweat‐gland type of cells
Other than cysts in fibrocystic changes,
fibrosis occurs when?
Cysts rupture > secretory material into stroma > chronic inflammation