Pathology of benign breast disease

Abstract

A wide spectrum of benign changes may occur within breast tissue. These inlcude non-neoplastic conditions such as fibrocystic change and benign neoplasms (tumours). Conditions such as fibrocystic change are very common in middle-aged and elderly women, but vary enormously in degree and extent between individuals. Fibroadenomas are common causes of benign breast masses in young women. Benign breast conditions may clinically simulate malignancy and therefore result in the requirement for pathological examination of the tissue as part of ‘triple assessment’ (i.e., the diagnostic process for patients with potential breast disease). It is therefore essential that pathologists can identify these benign conditions accurately. Benign breast disease may not require surgical treatment over and above that needed to confirm the diagnosis, but some forms of cellular change (e.g. florid epithelial hyperplasia, radial scar, intraduct papilloma) may be associated with co-existent malignancy (i.e. breast cancer) and/or an increased risk of subsequent malignancy.