Breast cancer pathology Flashcards
Which groups of patient are predisposed to angiosarcoma?
Previous radiotherapy patients
Cancers which commonly metastasize to the breast
Bronchial
Ovarian
Clear cell of the kidney
Melanoma
Tissue type and location of breast carcinoma
Epithelium; terminal duct lobular unit (TDLU)
Commonest type of invasive breast cancer
Ductal carcinoma
Precursor lesions to breast cancer
Ductal and lobular carcinoma in situ (DCIS and LCIS)
LCIS is frequently…
multifocal and bilateral
Molecular profile of LCIS
Often ER+ and E-cadherin negative
Why has the incidence of DCIS increased?
Improved awareness and screening catches it before development to carcinoma
What does it mean when it is stated that DCIS is typically unicentric?
Only involves one ductal system
Paget’s disease of breast
Eczema-like symptoms involving the nipple; Usually a sign of breast cancer
Peau d’orange
Characteristic dimpling of breast skin when carcinoma becomes attached (local invasion)
What are the levels of axillary nodes and their location in relation to pectoralis minor?
Level 1- inferior and lateral
Level 2- deep
Level 3- superior and medial
What does tumour “grade” describe?
The level of differentiation i.e. similarity to “parent” tissue
Assessment of tumour grade involves
- Differentiation
- nuclear pleomorphism
- mitotic rate
which molecular characteristic of breast cancer carries the worst prognosis?
Triple negative- ER, PR and HER2
