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Pathophysiology Diagram: Breast Cancer: Predisposing Factors: Precipitating Factors

Breast cancer starts in the cells of the breast and can be caused by a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors that disrupt cell growth regulation. Some people are at higher risk due to inherited genetic mutations, a family history of breast cancer, or exposure to estrogen. Symptoms may include a breast lump or changes in breast appearance, but many cases are now detected via mammogram before symptoms arise.

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Marinill Soliman
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1K views2 pages

Pathophysiology Diagram: Breast Cancer: Predisposing Factors: Precipitating Factors

Breast cancer starts in the cells of the breast and can be caused by a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors that disrupt cell growth regulation. Some people are at higher risk due to inherited genetic mutations, a family history of breast cancer, or exposure to estrogen. Symptoms may include a breast lump or changes in breast appearance, but many cases are now detected via mammogram before symptoms arise.

Uploaded by

Marinill Soliman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PATHOPHYSIOLOGY DIAGRAM: Breast Cancer

Predisposing factors: Precipitating factors:


 Genetics  Prolonged exposure to estrogen
 Sporadic/familial  Hormone therapy/hormone
 Gender (female) replacement therapy
 Age (>50 years old)  History of benign proliferative breast
 Nulliparity disease
 1st pregnancy >30 years old  High-fat diet
Genetic mutation of the cellular DNA
 Obesity  Alcohol intake
 Early menarche
 Late menopause Inactivation of tumor suppress or genes

Activation of growth promoting oncogenes Alterations in the gene that controls apoptosis

Unregulated proliferation and


differentiation of cancer cells in
the milk duct Change in
symmetry/size
of the breast
Malignant tumor tends to Growth of a malignant tumor
compress blood and
lymphatic vessels
Rapid multiplication of Unexplained
cancer cells. Rapid weight loss
Cancer cells begin to spread metabolism caused by the
locally via lymphatic vessels. cancer cells. Normal cells are
There will be presence of deprived of nutrients
cancer cells in lymph nodes

Malignant tumor obstructs


milk duct. Leads to Swelling & pain
inflammatory response, & pus
Palpable, immovable,
release of chemical
hard & painless nodes:
mediators, transient Tissue decay
supraclavicular &
vasoconstrictions. & foul odor
axillary lymph nodes
Vasodilation. Plasma fluid
(2cm)
leaks into tissue.

Breast cancer

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. Like other cancers, there
are several factors that can raise the risk of getting breast cancer. Some individuals inherit
defects in the DNA and genes like the BRCA1, BRCA2 and P53 among others. Those with a
family history of ovarian or breast cancer are at increased risk of breast cancer. The immune
system normally seeks out cancer cells and cells with damaged DNA and destroys them. Breast
cancer may be a result of failure of such an effective immune defense and surveillance. These are
several signaling systems of growth factors and other mediators that interact between stromal
cells and epithelial cells. Disrupting these may lead to breast cancer as well.

Etiology

There is no single, specific cause of breast cancer. A combination of genetic, hormonal and
possibly environmental factors may increase the risk of its development. More than 80% of all
cases of breast cancer are sporadic, meaning the patients have no known family history of the
disease. The remaining cases are familial (there is a family history of breast cancer, but it is not
passed on genetically) or genetically acquired. There is no evidence that smoking, silicone breast
implants, the use of antiperspirants, underwire bras, or abortion (induced or spontaneous)
increases the risk of the disease. Meanwhile, there is some evidence that long-term smoking,
starting before first pregnancy, and night shift work may increase the risk for breast cancer. As
stated previously, breast cancer can be genetically inherited, resulting in significant risk.
Approximately 5% to 10% of breast cancer cases have been linked to specific genetic mutations.
Factors that may indicate a genetic link include multiple first-degree relatives with early- onset
breast cancer, breast and ovarian cancer in the same family, and male breast cancer.

Symptomatology

 Breast cancers can occur anywhere in the breast but are usually found in the upper outer
quadrant, where the most breast tissue is located. In general, the lesions are nontender,
fixed rather than mobile, and hard with irregular borders. Complaints of diffuse breast pain
and tenderness with menstruation are usually associated with benign breast disease. With
the increased use of mammography, more women are seeking treatment at earlier stages of
the disease. These women often have no signs or symptoms other than a mammographic
abnormality. Some women with advanced disease seek initial treatment after ignoring
symptoms. Advanced signs may include a breast lump or thickening that feels different
from the surrounding tissue, change in the size, shape or appearance of a breast, skin
dimpling, nipple retraction, or skin ulceration and redness or pitting of the skin over your
breast, like the skin of an orange.

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