The breast

Question 1

What is fibrocystic disease?

Answer 1

Lumpiness in one, but usually both breasts.
Presents with pain and tenderness.
Due to hormonal related changes, due to calcification.

Question 2

Explain fat necrosis

Answer 2

Trauma in the breast that can result in localised haemorrhage and necrosis.
Hard lump can mimic cancer clinically.

Question 3

Explain mastitis

Answer 3

Chronic inflammation.
Presents red, tender, warm.
Caused by blocked ducts.
Can be avoided by breastfeeding.

Question 4

List examples of benign tumours

Answer 4

Fibroadenoma

Papillioma.

Question 5

Explain examples of malignant tumours.

Answer 5

Ductal carcinomas.
Lobular carcinoma.
Pagets disease of the nipple.

Question 6

Explain papilloma

Answer 6

Wart like growths in the ducts.
Causes bleeding and nipple discharge.
Benign.

Question 7

Explain fibroadenomas.

Answer 7

Rubbery lumps that form at the reproductive age.
Benign
Can increase in size during pregnancy.

Question 8

What is the gene responsible for hereditary breast cancer?

Answer 8

BRCA breast mutation.

Question 9

What are the risk factors of breast cancer?

Answer 9

Age, oestrogen, obesity, alcohol, fat.

Question 10

Explain different breast malignancies.

Answer 10

Ductal (milk)- DICS- invasive carcinoma.
Lobular- LICS- invasive carcinoma
Paget’s disease of the nipple- can be invasive or non-invasive.

Question 11

Explain paget’s disease of the nipple

Answer 11

Affects only one nipple.
Eczema type rash, itchy with possible bleeding.
Signs of underlying breast cancer.