What is a microcalcification? A microcalcification is a small deposit of the mineral calcium inside tissue. Microcalcifications can be found anywhere in the body but they are most commonly found in the breast where they are associated with both non-cancerous and cancerous conditions. Imaging studies such as mammography can see microcalcifications in the breast and …
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Atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) Atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH) Benign phyllodes tumour Borderline phyllodes tumour Columnar cell change (CCC) Columnar cell hyperplasia (CCH) Complex sclerosing lesion Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) Encapsulated papillary carcinoma (EPC) Fibroadenoma Fibrocystic change Flat epithelial atypia (FEA) Fibroepithelial lesion Intraductal papilloma Invasive apocrine carcinoma Invasive breast carcinoma Invasive ductal carcinoma Invasive …
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Columnar cell hyperplasia is a non-cancerous change that can occur in the small structures of the breast called terminal duct lobular units (TDLUs). In this condition, the glands (acini) inside the TDLU become slightly enlarged and are lined by more than two layers of tall, column-shaped cells. This increased layering of cells is what hyperplasia …
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Columnar cell change is a non-cancerous alteration that can occur in the small structures of the breast known as terminal duct lobular units (TDLUs). In this change, the tiny glands (acini) inside the TDLU become slightly enlarged and are lined by cells that are taller than usual, called columnar epithelial cells. In some cases, there …
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Fibrocystic change is a non-cancerous (benign) condition of the breast that includes several related changes that often occur together. These changes include cysts, fibrosis, apocrine metaplasia, and adenosis. Fibrocystic change is very common and is seen in up to 60% of women of reproductive age. It can affect one or both breasts and may cause …
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Flat epithelial atypia (FEA) is a non-cancerous change that occurs in the small glands of the breast called terminal duct lobular units (TDLUs). In FEA, the normal cells lining the glands are replaced by one or more layers of mildly abnormal cells. These abnormal cells are usually cuboidal or column-shaped and look similar to the …
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Phyllodes tumour is a rare type of breast tumour. Most phyllodes tumours will behave like non-cancerous tumours. However, a small number (approximately 10%) will behave like cancer. This behaviour includes the ability to spread through the normal tissue in the breast and to other parts of the body. The entire tumour must be removed surgically …
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Usual ductal hyperplasia (UDH) is a non-cancerous (benign) condition commonly found in breast biopsies. It describes an increase in the number of normal-looking cells within the small ducts of the breast, typically in a region of the breast known as the terminal duct lobular unit. These cells multiply in a disorganized manner but do not …
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A fibroadenoma is a benign (noncancerous) type of breast tumor. It is made of both epithelial cells (the cells that line breast ducts) and stromal cells (the connective tissue that supports the ducts). Fibroadenomas are not cancerous, and having a fibroadenoma does not increase the risk of developing breast cancer in the future. If a …
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Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is the second most common type of breast cancer after invasive ductal carcinoma. It starts in the lobules — the small glands in the breast that produce milk — and grows into the surrounding breast tissue. The term “invasive” means the cancer cells have spread beyond the lobules into nearby tissue. …
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