A 44-year-old woman arrives at the clinic due to a breast mass. A hard, fixed mass in the right breast with palpable ipsilateral axillary lymphadenopathy is discovered on physical examination. A spiculated right-sided breast lesion is seen on mammography. The patient has a mass removed and axillary lymph nodes dissected. Histopathologic examination reveals ductal adenocarcinoma with axillary node involvement. The ability of the tumor to reach draining lymph nodes is facilitated by which of the following changes at the primary tumor site?

Question

A 44-year-old woman arrives at the clinic due to a breast mass. A hard, fixed mass in the right breast with palpable ipsilateral axillary lymphadenopathy is discovered on physical examination. A spiculated right-sided breast lesion is seen on mammography. The patient has a mass removed and axillary lymph nodes dissected. Histopathologic examination reveals ductal adenocarcinoma with axillary node involvement. The ability of the tumor to reach draining lymph nodes is facilitated by which of the following changes at the primary tumor site?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Malignant cells undergo several changes as they spread from their original location. They detach from other cells by inhibiting cadherins and from the basement membrane by inhibiting integrins. They secrete collagenases to cut a path through the extracellular matrix before entering the bloodstream and/or lymphatic system to spread.

A 44-Year-Old Woman Arrives at the Clinic Due to a Breast