Breast Carcinoma
A 46-year-old woman has a silicone breast implant placed following a left mastectomy for treatment of an invasive breast carcinoma.
What our notes say
- A 46-year-old woman has a silicone breast implant placed following a left mastectomy for treatment of an invasive breast carcinoma. (Breast mcqs — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- The mass and one lymph node examined microscopically show an invasive (ductal) breast carcinoma. (Breast mcqs — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- Describe molecular pathology and histologic grading with prognostic factors in breast carcinoma. (pathology essays — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- Discuss etiopathogenesis of breast carcinoma describe morphomolecular approach in prognostic and predictive stratification. (pathology essays — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- Discuss Breast Carcinoma: Risk Factors, Pathogenesis, Morphology, Grading & Staging (Female & Male Genital Pathology: Ulcers, HPV, Endometriosis, Pre-eclampsia)
- Peau d'orange = dermal lymphatic obstruction by tumor emboli, causing cutaneous lymphedema with skin dimpling around hair follicles — classic for inflammatory breast carcinoma (Skin & Breast Pathology CAT: MKU Year 3 Medicine Exam)
Study material on Breast Carcinoma
- Breast Carcinoma: Understanding Types, Receptors & Treatment
- Breast mcqs
- Exam Prep: Skin Infections, Psoriasis & Pemphigus
- Disorders of the Vagina and Breast
- pathology essays
- systemic pathology essays
- Female Reproductive Pathology — MCQ Quiz
Practice questions on Breast Carcinoma
Triple-negative breast carcinoma is defined by the absence of which three markers?
- CA-125, HER2, and p53 expression
- Oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2
- BRCA1, BRCA2, and E-cadherin expression
- Ki-67, p53, and oestrogen receptor expression
Answer: B. Triple-negative breast cancer lacks ER, PR, and HER2. It has the worst prognosis among molecular subtypes and is strongly associated with BRCA1 mutations. ---
Inflammatory breast carcinoma presents with a red, warm, oedematous breast because of
- Secondary bacterial infection of the tumour mass
- Autoimmune reaction to tumour-associated antigens
- Tumour emboli blocking dermal lymphatic vessels
- Direct invasion of breast skin by carcinoma cells
Answer: C. Inflammatory breast carcinoma is caused by tumour emboli blocking dermal lymphatics, not actual inflammation. This produces the classic peau d'orange appearance and very poor prognosis. ---
The most important prognostic factor in invasive breast carcinoma is
- Histologic grade of the primary tumour
- Tumour size at the time of diagnosis
- Hormone receptor status of the carcinoma
- Axillary lymph node status at surgery
Answer: D. Axillary lymph node status is the single most important prognostic factor in breast carcinoma. Tumour size, grade, and receptor status are also important but secondary to nodal involvement. ---