Breast Cancer Flashcards
What are the risk factors of breast cancer?
Age, previous breast cancer, BRCA1, BRCA2, Early menarche, late menopause, late or no pregnancy, HRT, alcohol, weight, post radiotherapy
How may breast cancer present?
Asymptomatic
Lump, retraction nipple, nipple discharge, change in breast size and shape, lymphoedema, dimpling of breast skin
How is breast cancer investigated?
Clinical examination, bilateral mammograms, USS, FNA cells only, Core-Biopsy tissue
When is a mammogram not clinically indicated?
When there is a presence increased glandular tissue (women under 35)
Name some invasive breast cancers?
Ductal carcinoma, lobular carcinoma, mucinous, tubular, papillary, medullary, sarcoma, lymphoma
Name some non-invasive breast cancer?
Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
Lobular Carcinoma In Situ
When is surgery to the axilla clinically indicated?
To stage a cancer, and then control the disease
What is the sentinel lymph node?
First node to receive lymphatic drainage
First Node the tumour spreads to
What occurs if the sentinel lymph nodes have been invaded by tumours?
Remove all the lymph nodes, give radiotherapy to axillary nodes
What are the complications of axillary treatment?
Lymphoedema Sensory disturbance Decreaded range of movement of the shoulder joint Nerve damage Vascular Damage Radiation-induced sarcoma
When is recurrence indicated?
Lymph node involvement Tumour grade Tumour size Steroid receptor status HER2 status
What treatments can be given for breast cancer?
Radiotherapy
Hormone therapy (tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors)
Chemotherapy
Targerted Therapies
What should be given if the patient carries the HER2 gene?
Herceptin
