Breast cancer: Difference between revisions

no edit summary
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Breast cancer''' is the most common malignancy in women and it’s the second most common cause of cancer mortality. The condition is related to increased oestrogen. When we talk about breast cancer we can mean either non-invasive or invasive carcinoma. These tumors develop from different parts of the terminal duct lobular unit (TDLU). They most frequently affect the upper outer quadrant of the breast.
<section begin="oncology" />'''Breast cancer''' is the most common malignancy in women and it’s the second most common cause of cancer mortality. The condition is related to increased oestrogen. When we talk about breast cancer we can mean either non-invasive or invasive carcinoma. These tumors develop from different parts of the terminal duct lobular unit (TDLU). They most frequently affect the upper outer quadrant of the breast.


Breast cancer is most common in older, post-menopausal women. Cancers in younger women are commonly hereditary rather than sporadic. 90% of cases are sporadic and 10% are familial. Breast cancer in men is very rare but it does occur.
Breast cancer is most common in older, post-menopausal women. Cancers in younger women are commonly hereditary rather than sporadic. 90% of cases are sporadic and 10% are familial. Breast cancer in men is very rare but it does occur.
Line 29: Line 29:


=== Invasive lobular carcinoma ===
=== Invasive lobular carcinoma ===
Invasive lobular carcinoma accounts for 5 – 10% of invasive carcinoma. It originates from a breast lobule. It occurs when LCIS invades past the basement membrane of the lobules. As these cells lack E-cadherin the tumor cells don’t form structures. The tumor cells often forms single rows with each other. Signet ring cells may be present. Almost all express hormone receptors, very few express HER2/NEU.
Invasive lobular carcinoma accounts for 5 – 10% of invasive carcinoma. It originates from a breast lobule. It occurs when LCIS invades past the basement membrane of the lobules. As these cells lack E-cadherin the tumor cells don’t form structures. The tumor cells often forms single rows with each other. Signet ring cells may be present. Almost all express hormone receptors, very few express HER2/NEU.<section end="oncology" />


=== Other types of breast cancer ===
=== Other types of breast cancer ===
Other types of breast cancer include tubular, mucinous, and medullary carcinoma; these account for 10% of BC cases.<section end="oncology" />
Tubular carcinoma is characterised by the presence of well-formed tubular or glandular structures infiltrating the stroma. This type has a favourable prognosis.
Tubular carcinoma is characterised by the presence of well-formed tubular or glandular structures infiltrating the stroma. This type has a favourable prognosis.


Line 62: Line 64:


The tumor cells in LCIS have lost an intercellular adhesion molecule called E-cadherin, which causes them to be disconnected from each other.
The tumor cells in LCIS have lost an intercellular adhesion molecule called E-cadherin, which causes them to be disconnected from each other.
 
<section begin="oncology" />
=== Molecular subtypes ===
=== Molecular subtypes ===
Overexpression of [[HER2]]/NEU proto oncogene is present in 20-30% of invasive breast cancer. HER2 positivity indicates a more aggressive cancer, but because we have targeted therapy against HER2 the prognosis of HER2 positive cancers is the same as HER2 negative.
Overexpression of [[HER2]]/NEU proto oncogene is present in 20-30% of invasive breast cancer. HER2 positivity indicates a more aggressive cancer, but because we have targeted therapy against HER2 the prognosis of HER2 positive cancers is the same as HER2 negative.
Line 144: Line 146:


== Complications ==
== Complications ==
Paget disease of the breast is the condition where tumor cells originating from DCIS or invasive carcinoma extend into and replace the epithelial cells of the epidermis of the nipple. This causes the nipple to become firm, ulcerated, hyperkeratotic and inflamed.<noinclude>
Paget disease of the breast is the condition where tumor cells originating from DCIS or invasive carcinoma extend into and replace the epithelial cells of the epidermis of the nipple. This causes the nipple to become firm, ulcerated, hyperkeratotic and inflamed.<section end="oncology" /><noinclude>
[[Category:Oncology]]
[[Category:Oncology]]
</noinclude>
</noinclude>