Breast Cancer and Mammography Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts, terminology, and data related to breast cancer, mammography, and related pathology.

Egyptian papyrus

The first written description of breast cancer, indicating treatment was futile.

Excess black bile

The Ancient Greeks believed this caused breast cancer, attributing it to humoral imbalance.

Müller

The individual who described the cellular nature of breast cancer in the 1800s.

1 in 8

The lifetime risk of breast cancer for U.S. women.

1 in 33

The mortality risk of breast cancer for U.S. women.

32%

The percentage reduction in mortality shown by long-term Swedish mammography trials.

Inversely

Tumor size is __ related to survival; larger tumors correspond to lower survival rates.

Smaller tumors are less aggressive

The reason early detection improves survival.

50+

The age recommended for screening according to the initial ACS guidelines in 1980.

40–49

The age range included in the ACS guidelines expanded in 1983 for screening every 1–2 years.

40

The age at which current guidelines recommend annual mammograms.

Guaranteed cure

Not a barrier to mammography; other factors such as fear and cost are real barriers.

All of the above

The equivalent risk from mammography radiation is compared to smoking, flying, and driving.

Mammary ridge

Accessory nipples occur along this structure.

Cooper's ligaments

Structures that provide structural support to breast tissue.

TDLU

The terminal duct lobular unit, responsible for milk production and hormonal exchange.

Pectoralis major

The muscle that breast tissue lies over.

Sebaceous glands

Montgomery glands that lubricate the breast during lactation.

Centrally and laterally

The distribution pattern of the majority of glandular tissue in the breast.

Radial pattern

The arrangement in which breast lobes extend from the nipple.

Acini

Functional milk-producing units found in lobules.

Microscopic tissue examination

The primary contribution of pathologists in diagnosing breast cancer.

Epithelial cells of ducts/lobules

The origin of most breast cancers.

Carcinoma in situ

A term meaning abnormal cells confined to the duct or lobule.

Invasive carcinoma

Occurs when cancer cells break through duct/lobule walls.

Stage I breast cancer

Involves a tumor that is ≤2 cm with no metastasis.

Distant metastasis

Characteristic of Stage IV breast cancer.

Benign male breast tissue proliferation

What gynecomastia is defined as.

Halo sign

Indicates a benign condition, typically seen with fibroadenoma.

Calcification

Breast cancer may appear as this type of density on a mammogram.

4–5 per 1,000

The average detection rate of cancer in screening mammograms.