Benign Epithelial Conditions

Question 1

Benign epithelial conditions of the breast

Answer 1

• Fibrocystic or non-proliferative breast changes
• common breast lesion, produces symptoms in at least 10% of women
• during reproductive decades, peak in premenopausal decade
• presents as a lump/lumpiness

Question 2

Morphology of fibrocystic breast changes

Answer 2

• fibrosis - due to chronic inflam reaction to contents of cysts when they rupture
• cysts & apocrine metaplasia
• adenosis & sclerosing adenosis - increase in number of acini per lobule
• epithelial hyperplasia

Question 3

Risk for invasive breast carcinoma

Answer 3

• risk of malignancy depends on degree of hyperplasia
• no increased risk: fibrosis, cystic changes, apocrine metaplasia, mild hyperplasia
• slightly increased risk (1.5-2x): sclerosing adenosis, hyperplasia (moderate to florid), marked ductal papillomatosis
• significantly increased risk (5x): atypical hyperplasia (ductal/lobular), family history