Malignant Breast Pathology Flashcards
What is breast carcinoma?
Malignant tumour of epithelial cells
Where does breast carcinoma arise?
Glandular epithelium so is an adenocarcinoma
What is in situ carcinoma?
- Confined within basement membrane of acini and ducts
- Cytologically malignant but non-invasive
- Non-obligate precursor of invasive carcinoma
What do cells lining ducts show in ductal carcinoma in situ?
Cytological features of malignancy but have not yet invaded stroma
What allows ductal carcinoma to detected and how?
- Focal calcification
- Mammographically detected
How is ductal carcinoma graded?
Grade 1-3 depending on how abnormal the cells are (higher grade = higher risk of invasion)
What is lobular carcinoma sometimes called? (LCIS)
Lobular in situ neoplasia
What is lesion usually like in lobular in situ neoplasia?
Multifocal and bilateral
- Not palpable or visible grossly
- May calcify
Usually an incidental finding
What can LCIS progress to?
Infiltrative carcinoma
What is Paget’s disease of the nipple characterized by?
Inflammatory eczema like changes of the nipple that may involve the areola
Management of LCIS?
Discovered in biopsy: proceed to excision or vacuum biopsy to exclude higher grade lesion
What causes Pagets disease of the nipple?
High grade DCIS extending along ducts to reach the epidermis of the nipple
If someone presents with inflammatory skin changes around nipple what could there be?
Underlying Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
What is the commonest form of breast cancer and how does it present?
Infiltrating ductal carcinoma
Presents as firm/ hard lump
MIcroscopic appearance of infiltrating ductal carcinoma?
- Cords of tumour cells
- Dense collagenous stroma
- Occasional acinar formation
What % of cancers are infiltrating lobular carcinoma?
10%
Infiltrating lobular carcinomas are more likely to be?
Multifocal or bilateral
Microscopic appearance of Infiltrating lobular carcinoma?
Infiltrates tissue as single files of malignant cells
How does metastatic breast cancer spread?
Via lymphatics to axillary nodes
Most common spread of metastatic cancer?
Via blood stream to bone marrow and lung