Flashcards in Breast Cancer Deck (21):
1
What is the most common type?
DCIS
2
Which type has a higher incidence of multicentric tumours?
Lobular carcinoma
3
What are the 3 most common sites of mets from breast cancer?
bone, lung & liver
4
what is the Nottingham prognostic index?
used to determine prognosis following surgery for breast cancer, based on:
1. tumour size
2. grade
3. lymph node involvement
5
How does oestrogen exposure affect breast cancer risk?
Examples
Higher exposure = greater risk
Late childbearing, nulliparity, early menarche, late menopause, obesity
6
What two medications can increase risk?
OCP
HRT
7
BRCA1 and BRCA2
BRCA1: increased susceptibility to breast & ovarian cancer
BRCA2: early-onset breast cancer & male breast cancer
8
What is the breast screening programme?
Regular mammography offered to all women age 50-70 every 3 years
9
What is the triple assessment?
1. Full history & exam
2. Bilateral mammography
3. USS & biopsy
10
What else should be included in an USS?
Axillae & LN biopsy (if required)
11
How is cytological diagnosis confirmed?
Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) or biopsy
12
Prognosis for
a) ER/ PR expression
b) HER2
a) better prognosis
b) worse prognosis
13
Which breast cancers are highly chemo-sensitive?
HER2 positive & triple negative
14
What does ER status mean?
How common?
Oestrogen receptor status (80% of breast
cancers +)
Means that cancer cells (like normal breast cells) receive signals from oestrogen that promote growth
15
What is trastuzumab AKA?
Herceptin
16
What is important to monitor in a patient on herceptin?
Cardiac monitoring - can have cardiac SEs
17
Who is tamoxifen given to?
Pre-menopausal women
ER/ PR positive
18
What is a complication of tamoxifen?
How long is it usually given for?
Increased risk of thrombosis & endometrial carcinoma
5 years
19
What can be given as an alternative to tamoxifen?
What is a SE?
Aromatase inhibitor (e.g. anastrazole)
SE: osteoporosis
20
Is radiotherapy commonly used?
Yes - all patients require adjuvant radiotherapy to reduce chance of local recurrence
21