Breast questions Flashcards
Questions that may be asked at the end of a breast history taking/lumps exam
1
Q
What is the lymphatic drainage of the breast?
A
75% of drainage is via the ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes, the remainder is via the parasternal nodes, the other breast or abdominal lymphatics.
2
Q
What ways might breast cancer be classified?
A
- histopathology: lobular or ductal carcinoma
- receptor status: oestrogen (ER) or progesterone (PR) or HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2)
- grade: degree of differentiation of the cancerous cell compared to normal tissue
- stage: TNM staging
- DNA assays
3
Q
What is a sentinel node biopsy?
A
The sentinel node is the first node (or group of nodes) that cancer would drain to and thus metastasise.
4
Q
What are the causes of mastitis?
A
Milk stasis
Infection
Duct ectasia
5
Q
Name 3 non-malignant causes of breast lumps.
A
Fibroadenoma Fibrocystic change Fat necrosis Gynaecomastia Sebaceous cyst Acute mastitis/abscess Galactocoele Lipoma
6
Q
What does ‘triple assessment’ in the diagnosis of breast cancer comprise of?
A
History/clinical examination
Histology/cytology
Ultrasonography and /mammography
7
Q
List three risk factors for breast cancer
A
Oral contraceptive pill/ hormone replacement therapy Family history Nulliparity Early menarche Late menopause Obesity BRCA genes Not breast feeding Previous breast cancer
