Breast carcinoma Flashcards
1
Q
What is the epidemiology of breast carcinoma?
A
Most common cancer in woman and 2nd most common cause of death from cancer
2
Q
What is the pathology of breast carcinoma?
A
- Originates from epithelial cells – ductal or lobules
- Cellular dysplasia in situ → invasive
- Tumours respond to oestrogen, progesterone or hersertin – affected treatment option
3
Q
What are the aetiology/risk factors for breast carcinoma?
A
- Alcohol
- Oestrogen – i.e. HRT, COP
- Obesity
- History of breast cancer
- Breast augmentation
- Never having borne a child (nulliparity)
- First child after the age of 30
- Age – risk ↑ with ↑ age
- Family history
- BRACA1/2 gene
- Breastfeeding - protective
4
Q
What are the signs/symptoms for breast carcinoma?
A
- Puckered/indrawn nipple
- Painless dense lump
- Peau d’orange - oedema
- Skin red and warm = inflammatory carcinoma
- Discharge – bloody
- Lump under the arm
- Nipple ‘eczema’ – Paget’s
5
Q
What other diseases present similarly to breast carcinomas?
A
- Fibroadenomas
* Benign breast disease i.e. breast cysts
6
Q
What investigations are carried out for suspected breast carcinoma?
A
- Breast examination
- Bilateral mammogram
- US of breast and regional lymph nodes
- Core needle biopsy
- Fine needle aspirations
- Monoclonal antibody techniques – to identify PR, OE or HER2 receptors
- Routine bloods
- CXR
- CT – if metastases expected
7
Q
What are the surgical treatments for breast carcinoma?
A
- Wide local excision
- Mastectomy
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy – acceptable if axillary node involvement is not present
- Axillary node clearance
8
Q
What are the pharmacological treatments for breast carcinoma?
A
- Tamoxifen
- Selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs)
- Aromatase inhibitor hormone antagonists e.g. anastrozole
- IV trastuzumab/lapatanib – HER2 malignancy
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Bisphosphanates
9
Q
What are the non pharmacological treatments for breast carcinoma?
A
• TNM staging
