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Fundamentals in Oncologic Ultrasound pp 145–179Cite as

The Breast

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Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common female neoplasm (31% of tumors in women) and the second-leading cause of death in women after lung cancer. Some 25% of cases involve subjects with increased risk: family history (first-degree relative), genetic predisposition (carriers of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations), personal history, previous biopsy of precancerous breast changes (atypical ductal hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in situ), early onset of menstruation and/or late menopause, nulliparity, first pregnancy at older age and radiation exposure [1]. Around 90% of cases are epithelial tumors arising from the cells lining the ducts or lobules: ductal carcinomas (70–80% of total cases) include in situ and invasive forms; lobular carcinoma (5–10%) is invasive by definition (in situ cases are considered more as risk markers than as overt cancer precursors), and is often multifocal and bilateral [2]. The remaining 10% of cases include other histotypes: from most to least common — medullary (5% of cases), mucinous (colloid), papillary and tubular [1]. The main prognostic indicators are size and histologic grade of the lesion (low, medium and high), and the presence and number of axillary lymphadenopathies.

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(2009). The Breast. In: Fundamentals in Oncologic Ultrasound. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1355-1_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1355-1_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-1354-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-1355-1

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