Brain Teaser #7
A) Question:
True or False: From 2005 to present, breast cancer in women has been the second most common occurring cancer and the number one cause of cancer related deaths.
A) Answer:
False
Follow Up:
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in women.
B) Question:
In which breast and what quadrant is breast cancer most prevalent?
B) Answer:
Breast cancer is more common in the left breast and usually presents in the upper outer quadrant.
C) Question:
What is the most common pathology for patients with breast cancer?
C) Answer:
Infiltrating ductal carcinoma is the most common pathology in breast cancer, and it contributes about 70%-80% of all breast cancer cases.
D) Question:
According to the American Cancer Society, annual mammograms for low risk women should be performed after what age?
D) Answer:
Annual mammograms should be performed annually after the age of forty. The American Cancer Society suggests that an annual clinical breast exam and a monthly self breast exam be performed as well.
E) Question:
When treating breast cancer what is the most radiosensitive organ at risk?
E) Answer:
The lung is the most radiosensitive organ when treating breast cancer.
F) Question:
What is the TD5/5 for 2/3 of the lung?
F) Answer:
The TD5/5 for 2/3 of the lung is 3,000 cGy.
G) Question:
Name the three most common regional lymph nodes that may be of concern when treating breast cancer?
G) Answer:
The three most common lymph nodes that may be of concern are the axillary, supra-clavicular, and internal mammary lymph nodes.
H) Question:
When treating a tangential breast field, what do you usually not want the medial field boarders to do?
H) Answer:
Most of the time you don't want the medial boards to diverge.
Follow Up:
This can be accomplished many ways. One way is with a split beam technique, where you have your medial border on central axis. Another way is to compensate for the divergence is by having your tangential field angles have a greater then 180 degree hinge angle.
I) Question:
Please list the four different grades of skin reactions from least to most severe.
I) Answer:
From least severe to most server they go:
Erythema
Dry desquamation
Moist desquamation
Necrosis
Follow Up:
Erythema- slight redness of the skin, occurs at about 1,500 cGy-2,000 cGy.
Dry desquamation-Occurs with the destruction of the sebaceous glands, usually after 3,000 cGy, and causes itching.
Moist desquamation-occurs over 4,000 cGy and blistering may occur
Necrosis-this is cellular death.
THE END
Author: Sean Harris
Co-Author: Adam Buell
Editors: Mary Hare
Date Created: June 2005
