Breast Cancer Flashcards
(29 cards)
What are some weak risk factors for breast cancer ?
Family member of post-menopausal breast cancer
Later menopause
Early menarche
Nulliparity
Obesity
Alcohol consumption
HRT long term
What are some moderate risk factors for breast cancer ?
Age
Family history of pre-menopausal breast cancer
Personal history of breast cancer
Dense breasts
What are some strong risk factors for breast cancer ?
Family history in 3 or more family members
Evidence of BRCA1/2 gene
Dense breasts
What are the most commonly identified germline mutations to cause breast cancer and what inheritance are they ?
BRCA1 and 2
Autosomal dominant
What is Li-Fraumeni syndrome ?
Loss of function mutation in the p53 tumour suppressor gene
What cancers does Li-Fraumeni syndrome increase the risk of ?
Breast
Prostate
Colorectal
What is mammography ?
X-ray images of breasts
Medial-oblique view and a cranio-caudal view of both breasts
What is the gold standard screening tool for breast cancer ?
Mammography
What are the 2 common types of pre-malignant breast conditions ?
Lobular carcinoma in-situ
Ductal carcinoma in-situ
What is lobular carcinoma in situ ?
A pre-malignant condition arising from the cells of the breast lobules.
Atypical cells haven’t invaded nearby breast tissue
What is Ductal carcinoma in situ ?
Composed of malignant epithelial cells that arise in the breast ducts and have not yet invaded beyond the basement membrane in their site of origin.
What is the management of Ductal carcinoma in situ ?
Routinely surgically excised
What is the management of lobular carcinoma in situ ?
More frequent screening mammograms
Hormonal therapy can decrease their risk of future breast cancer
What are the 2 most common invasive breast cancers ?
Invasive ductal carcinoma
Invasive lobular carcinoma
How does invasive lobular breast cancer occur ?
A single-file of infiltrating cells invade into the breast stromal tissue
What is inflammatory breast carcinoma and how does it present ?
A rare but highly aggressive form of breast cancer
Red, warm swollen breast, peau d’orange ( orange peel texture )
What is Paget’s disease of breast and how does it present ?
Rare form of invasive breast cancer derived from epithelium.
Crusting and scaling of skin around nipple, pruritus, nipple discharge and a lump
What is the most favourable hormone receptor status for breast cancer ?
Oestrogen and progesterone receptor positive
What is HER2 ?
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2
A proto-oncogene for a transmembrane growth factor receptor
What is a targeted therapy against HER2 positive breast cancer ?
Herceptin - a monoclonal antibody against HER2 protein
How can breast cancer present ?
Asymptomatic
Breast lump/mass
Nipple changes - inversion, discharge,
Skin changes - red, warm, peau d’orange
Non-specific B symptoms
What imaging can be done when suspecting breast cancer ?
Mammogram
USS
MRI
How can a biopsy be taken for breast cancer ?
Fine needle aspiration
Core needle biopsy
USS guided biopsy
What is the main treatment for breast cancer ?
Surgery - lumpectomy or mastectomy
