Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer
Risk Factors
1. Female
2. Age > 50 years
3. Family History
4. Early Menarch (<12 years old)
5. Late Menopause (> 50 years old)
6. First full-term pregnancy after age 30…the longer the period of time a women has her cycle increases her risk
7. Nulliparity…no children
8. Obesity after menopause…adipose tissue stores estrogen and estrogen is a risk factor for breast cancer
Genetic Link
BRCA-1: tumor-suppressor gene
Discovered on Chromosome 17
When genes are mutated they have a 50-85% chance of acquiring breast cancer
BRCA-2: tumor-suppressor gene
Located on chromosome 11
Increase risk of breast cancer
BRCA-1 & BRCA-2 mutations increase the risk of ovarian cancer as well as breast cancer
Associated with early onset of breast cancer…at a younger age
DNA testing
Prophylactic bilateral oophorectomy and bilateral mastectomy
Invasive
Paget’s Disease
Lesion of the nipple and areola area
Itching, burning, bloody nipple discharge with superficial erosion
Inflammatory
Most malignant: aggressive and fast-growing
Rare
Skin of breast red, warm, “peau d’ orange”…orange peal in French
- look like hives
- the inflammatory changes make it look like that (orange peel) is caused by the cancer cell that are blocking
the lymph ducts
- it spreads very early and frequently and it is aggressive
- but it is the most rare
Clinical Manifestations
Single lump occurring most often in the upper outer quadrant of the breast, it doesn’t matter if it is right or left
Diagnostic Studies
a) Mammography…base line screening
b) Ultrasound
1
c) Biopsy…definitively diagnosis
Prognostic Indicators
Sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND)…the first lymph node the tumor drains into
- They inject dye into the area where the tumor was
- If tumor cells in sentinel node then they remove the lymph node
- If no tumor they can keep lymph nodes
Lymphedema: Accumulation of lymphatic fluid that causes swelling in the arms = NO BP, draw blood or inject meds,
start IV in affected area.
Increased ability of cellulitis because of stagnation of accumulated fluid
Compression pumps are being used to treat lymphedema. This system consists of a pump and an appliance (sleeve)
which fits over the extremity. Air pressure is applied to the appliance which in turn, applies pressure to the extremity.
The basic pump applies a uniform pressure over the extremity. The better devices consist of a pump and appliance with
three or more segment which sequentially apply pressure along the extremity, distally to proximally.
proximally.
If untreated, this stagnant protein rich fluid not only causes the tissue channels to increase in size and number, but
also reduces oxygen through the transport system, interferes with wound healing, and provides a culture mediaum for
bacteria that can results in various infections
Compare CMS (circulation movement and sensation) in affected limb to unaffected limb
- Circulation…pulse, color, capillary refill, temperature
Treatment: Radiation
Primary = removed breast tumor
Adjunct to surgery
High-dose brachytherapy…put a catheter into the tumor site, high dose of radiation to where the tumor is
Palliative = patient’s tumor is not resected
2
Treatment: Systemic
Chemotherapy
Hormonal therapy : Tamoxifen pill: Side effect - Nausea/vomiting, increase risk of blood clot, hot flashes
Biologic therapy : Herceptin (for overexpression neu gene) help to prevent tumor growth from the
overexpression gene
Home Care
Annual mammography
BSE
Sexuality
Fear
Uncertainty
Self-Esteem
Body image
Reach to Recovery – to meet
physical needs, physiological,
emotional needs, peer information or
support
Y-Me