Benign proliferative breast disease

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Benign proliferative breast disease refers to a group of noncancerous conditions that can increase the risk of developing breast cancer. These conditions involve changes to the cells in the breast tissue that make them appear abnormal under a microscope.

Types of Benign Proliferative Breast Disease[edit | edit source]

There are several types of benign proliferative breast disease, including:

  • Atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH): This condition involves abnormal cells in the lining of the breast ducts. It is considered a precancerous condition because it can develop into ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a type of noninvasive breast cancer.
  • Atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH): Similar to ADH, ALH involves abnormal cells in the lobules of the breast. It can increase the risk of developing lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), a type of noninvasive breast cancer.
  • Intraductal papilloma: This condition involves the growth of wart-like lumps in the breast ducts. While most intraductal papillomas are benign, some can contain abnormal cells or develop into breast cancer.
  • Sclerosing adenosis: This condition involves the overgrowth of cells in the lobules of the breast. It can make the breast feel lumpy and can sometimes be mistaken for breast cancer on a mammogram.

Risk Factors[edit | edit source]

The exact causes of benign proliferative breast disease are unknown, but certain factors may increase the risk of developing these conditions. These include:

  • Age: The risk of developing benign proliferative breast disease increases with age.
  • Family history: Women with a family history of breast cancer or benign proliferative breast disease may be at higher risk.
  • Hormone levels: High levels of estrogen and progesterone may increase the risk of developing benign proliferative breast disease.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment for benign proliferative breast disease depends on the specific condition and the patient's overall health. Options may include:

  • Observation: Some conditions may not require immediate treatment but will need to be monitored closely for changes.
  • Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be needed to remove abnormal cells or lumps.
  • Medication: Certain medications can help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in women with benign proliferative breast disease.

See Also[edit | edit source]




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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD