A 45-year-old woman comes in for her annual check-up and reports noticing some changes in her breast tissue. She undergoes a mammogram and a biopsy, which reveals various changes in the breast tissue. Her physician is concerned about her risk of developing breast cancer and reviews the pathology report to determine her level of risk.
Which of the following conditions is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer?
A. Fibrocystic mastopathy
B. Severe hyperplasia
C. Atypical hyperplasia
D. Papillomatosis
Answer:
The Correct Answer is: C. Atypical hyperplasia
Explanation:
Atypical hyperplasia (C):
– Atypical hyperplasia is a condition where there is an abnormal proliferation of breast ductal or lobular cells with atypical features. It is considered a high-risk precursor lesion for breast cancer.
– Women with atypical hyperplasia have a significantly increased risk of developing breast cancer compared to those without this condition. Studies indicate that the risk is approximately four to five times higher than the general population.
Explanation of Incorrect Options:
Fibrocystic mastopathy (A):
– Fibrocystic changes (or fibrocystic mastopathy) are common benign changes in the breast, including cysts, fibrosis, and ductal hyperplasia. While they can cause discomfort and changes in breast texture, they are not associated with a significant increase in breast cancer risk.
Severe hyperplasia (B):
– Severe hyperplasia without atypia (also known as usual ductal hyperplasia) involves an increased number of cells within the ducts or lobules but without atypical features. This condition slightly increases the risk of breast cancer but not as much as atypical hyperplasia.
Papillomatosis (D):
– Papillomatosis refers to the presence of multiple papillomas (small, wart-like growths) in the breast ducts. While papillomas can sometimes harbor atypia or be associated with cancer, papillomatosis itself is not as strongly associated with increased breast cancer risk as atypical hyperplasia.
In conclusion, atypical hyperplasia is the condition most strongly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, making option C the correct answer.