Ductal Carcinoma of the Breast

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definition, pathogenesis pathways, and genetic alterations of DCIS and IDC based on the lecture notes.

Ductal carcinoma of breast

A spectrum of breast cancer that includes ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC, NST).

Terminal duct-lobular unit (TDLU)

The specific anatomical site from which both ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC, NST) arise.

Low-grade pathway

A pathogenesis pathway characterized by $ER$-positive tumors and genetic changes including $16q$ loss, $1q$ gain, and $PIK3CA$ mutations.

High-grade pathway

A pathogenesis pathway characterized by $TP53$ mutation, increased genomic instability, $HER2$ amplification, and $BRCA1/BRCA2$ mutations.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

A neoplastic proliferation of epithelial cells that is limited to the ducts and lobules by the basement membrane.

Myoepithelial cells (in DCIS)

Cells that are preserved in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), maintaining the boundary within the ductal system.

$16q$ loss and $1q$ gain

Specific genetic alterations associated with the low-grade pathway and $ER$-positive tumors in ductal carcinoma.

$HER2$ amplification

A genetic event associated with the high-grade pathway of ductal carcinoma development.

$PIK3CA$ mutations

Genetic mutations specifically associated with the low-grade pathway of breast ductal carcinoma.

$BRCA1/BRCA2$ mutations

Genetic alterations linked to the high-grade pathway of ductal carcinoma pathogenesis.