breast cancer

Headline
Etiology DCIS (more common with screening); invasive ductal carcinoma.
Epidemiology Risk factors:
- age
- FHx (BRCA1 mutations)
- uninterrupted oestrogen exposure (i.e. nulliparity, early menarche/late menopause, not breastfeeding, COCP, HRT)
- exposure to radiation (e.g. radiotherapy for lymphoma)
Clinical presentation skin changes e.g. peau d’orange, nipple changes, breast lump; Paget's disease
Pathogenesis
Diagnostic investigations Triple assessment is standard.
Management WLE, mastectomy ± reconstruction + sentinel node biopsy
• RT after WLE decreases risk of recurrence
• Axillary RT if LN +ve
• adjuvant chemotherapy
• ER/PR +ve (60% of cancers) → oestrogen receptor blocker (tamoxifen) (⚠ uterine cancer) OR anastrozole if post-menopausal
• ↑ risk mets with ↑ size
Prevention NHS Breast Screening