Misc Healthcare Topics
Malignancy: Breast Cancer
Compiled By Masterpiecesolutions
Edition: 2025/26
, Medical & Nursing | Misc Healthcare Topics I of IV pages
1. What are the established risk factors for breast cancer? (5)
The causes of breast cancer are complex and there are several risk factors. Established risk factors include age,
(The use of oral contraceptives and postmenopausal HRT are also associated with a small excess risk.)
2. What is ductal carcinoma in situ?
Non-invasive breast cancer, also known as ductal carcinoma in situ, is when the cancer remains localised in
ducts. However, in most cases, the cancer is invasive at the time of diagnosis, which means that malignant
3. For operable breast cancer, primary treatment is surgical using breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy,
by adjuvant therapy to eradicate the micro-metastases that cause relapses. What is the purpose of radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is recommended after breast conserving surgery, as it reduces local recurrence rates. It is also
4. Adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy should be considered for all patients, irrespective of age, and it
Adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy should be considered for all patients, irrespective of age, and it should
5. A high-dose anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimen is usually preferred to a low-dose
What is an example of an anthracycline drug?
Doxorubicin. Blocks topo isomerase 2.Can turn the urine red.Higher cumulative doses are associated with
and it is usual to limit total cumulative doses to 450mg/m2 because symptomatic and potentially fatal heart
6. What side effects are common with doxorubicin?
DehyrdrationDiarrhoeaRed colouration of urine.
7. What important side effects are there with doxorubicin?
Higher cumulative doses are associated with cardiomyopathy and it is usual to limit total cumulative doses to
8. Adjuvant anthracycline-taxane combination chemotherapy should be considered in patients where the
Adjuvant anthracycline-taxane combination chemotherapy should be considered in patients where the
For patients with lymph node-positive breast cancer, docetaxel can be added as part of an adjuvant
9. How does docetaxel work?
Docetaxel inhibits mitioic spindle assembly.
10. Following surgery, what agent either alone in combination with chemotherapy can be given to
Tamoxifen.
An anti-oestrogen which induces gonadotrophin release by occupying oestrogen receptors in the
therebu interefering with feedback mechanisms; chorionic gonadotrophin is sometimes used as an adjunct in
Tamoxifen can increase the risk of thromboembolism particularly during and immediately after major surgery
11. How does tamoxifen work?
An anti-oestrogen which induces gonadotrophin release by occupying oestrogen receptors in the
therebu interefering with feedback mechanisms; chorionic gonadotrophin is sometimes used as an adjunct in
It is a selective estrogen-receptor modulator (SERM).
Tamoxifen can increase the risk of thromboembolism particularly during and immediately after major surgery
12. What important side effects are there with tamoxifen use?
An anti-oestrogen which induces gonadotrophin release by occupying oestrogen receptors in the
therebu interefering with feedback mechanisms; chorionic gonadotrophin is sometimes used as an adjunct in
Tamoxifen can increase the risk of thromboembolism particularly during and immediately after major surgery
Misc Healthcare Topics 2025/26 Edition
Malignancy: Breast Cancer
Compiled By Masterpiecesolutions
Edition: 2025/26
, Medical & Nursing | Misc Healthcare Topics I of IV pages
1. What are the established risk factors for breast cancer? (5)
The causes of breast cancer are complex and there are several risk factors. Established risk factors include age,
(The use of oral contraceptives and postmenopausal HRT are also associated with a small excess risk.)
2. What is ductal carcinoma in situ?
Non-invasive breast cancer, also known as ductal carcinoma in situ, is when the cancer remains localised in
ducts. However, in most cases, the cancer is invasive at the time of diagnosis, which means that malignant
3. For operable breast cancer, primary treatment is surgical using breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy,
by adjuvant therapy to eradicate the micro-metastases that cause relapses. What is the purpose of radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is recommended after breast conserving surgery, as it reduces local recurrence rates. It is also
4. Adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy should be considered for all patients, irrespective of age, and it
Adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy should be considered for all patients, irrespective of age, and it should
5. A high-dose anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimen is usually preferred to a low-dose
What is an example of an anthracycline drug?
Doxorubicin. Blocks topo isomerase 2.Can turn the urine red.Higher cumulative doses are associated with
and it is usual to limit total cumulative doses to 450mg/m2 because symptomatic and potentially fatal heart
6. What side effects are common with doxorubicin?
DehyrdrationDiarrhoeaRed colouration of urine.
7. What important side effects are there with doxorubicin?
Higher cumulative doses are associated with cardiomyopathy and it is usual to limit total cumulative doses to
8. Adjuvant anthracycline-taxane combination chemotherapy should be considered in patients where the
Adjuvant anthracycline-taxane combination chemotherapy should be considered in patients where the
For patients with lymph node-positive breast cancer, docetaxel can be added as part of an adjuvant
9. How does docetaxel work?
Docetaxel inhibits mitioic spindle assembly.
10. Following surgery, what agent either alone in combination with chemotherapy can be given to
Tamoxifen.
An anti-oestrogen which induces gonadotrophin release by occupying oestrogen receptors in the
therebu interefering with feedback mechanisms; chorionic gonadotrophin is sometimes used as an adjunct in
Tamoxifen can increase the risk of thromboembolism particularly during and immediately after major surgery
11. How does tamoxifen work?
An anti-oestrogen which induces gonadotrophin release by occupying oestrogen receptors in the
therebu interefering with feedback mechanisms; chorionic gonadotrophin is sometimes used as an adjunct in
It is a selective estrogen-receptor modulator (SERM).
Tamoxifen can increase the risk of thromboembolism particularly during and immediately after major surgery
12. What important side effects are there with tamoxifen use?
An anti-oestrogen which induces gonadotrophin release by occupying oestrogen receptors in the
therebu interefering with feedback mechanisms; chorionic gonadotrophin is sometimes used as an adjunct in
Tamoxifen can increase the risk of thromboembolism particularly during and immediately after major surgery
Misc Healthcare Topics 2025/26 Edition
