[Epidemiology and diagnosis of breast cancer]. / Epidemiologia oraz diagnostyka raka piersi.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Family history of breast cancer, age at menarche, number of pregnancies and births, history of breast biopsies, use of hormone replacement therapy and time from the last menstrual period are the key events to note. In addition, a high percentage of cases has been demonstrated in women with a genetically conditioned cancer, i.e. mutations in genes BRCA1, BRCA2, syndromes of Li-Fraumeni, Cowden and Peutz-Jeghers. Over 90% of cases are local or regional when detected. The diagnostics approach consists of self-control, breast palpation by the doctor, breast imaging usually with ultrasound, mammography and magnetic resonance. To confirm the diagnosis, a fine-, core-needle or mammotome biopsy is performed. The final diagnosis is based on a wide panel of immunohistochemical and cytogenetic tests. Histological examination provides accurate assessment of the tumor type, grade, estrogen and progesterone hormone receptor status, HER2 overexpression and Ki67 proliferation index. The data makes possible to qualify to one of four groups of breast cancer biological subtypes, which allows individualized treatment of the patient.

Incidence of spinal perineurial (Tarlov) cysts among East-European patients.

The spinal perineurial cyst (Tarlov) is a dilatation between the perineurium and endoneurium of spinal nerve roots, located at level of the spinal ganglion and filled with cerebrospinal fluid but without communication with the perineurial subarachnoid space. The aim of the study was to evaluate it incidence among East-European patients. The retrospective data collected during various magnetic resonance spinal examinations and stored on the picture archiving and communication system was analyzed for an incidence of perineurial cysts. From among 842 patients that underwent examination, 75 cases perineurial cysts were revealed. In 22 cases single anomalies were found. In remaining 53 cases, multiple uni- or less frequently bilateral changes were noted. The most common position was the sacral canal, particularly the level of S2 and S3. Occasionally, cysts were also visible on the cervical, thoracic and lumbar level. Incidence of sacral perineurial cysts was significantly higher in females than in males. Similar data was found for single and multiple changes despite of their localization. Insignificant changes were seen for patient age and cyst size. Perineurial spinal cysts were the most frequently observed on the sacral level and such changes were more common in females.