Description

Atypical hyperplasia of the breast is the development of pre-cancerous cells in the breast. Atypical hyperplasia causes a buildup of cells in the breast tissue. When viewed with a microscope, the cells look different from typical cells of the breast.

Atypical hyperplasia of the breast is breast cancer. But it is a sign that you have a higher risk of breast cancer in the future.

Your health care team create a plan to help you manage your risk of breast cancer. Often this includes more frequent breast cancer screening tests. You could also consider the possibility of drugs to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Symptoms

Atypical hyperplasia of the breast usually does not cause any symptoms.

Atypical hyperplasia of the breast is usually found during a breast biopsy. A breast biopsy is a procedure to remove some breast cells for testing. It's often recommended if relative is found on a mammogram or an ultrasound. A biopsy may also be done to investigate a breast concern, such as a lump.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if you have any symptoms that worry you.

Causes

It is not clear what causes atypical hyperplasia of the breast.

Atypical hyperplasia of the breast occurs when cells in the breast tissue to develop changes in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell the cell what to do. The changes that tell the cell to make many more cells. This causes an accumulation of the cells of the breast. Health professionals call this accumulation of hyperplasia. The changes also enable the cells in atypical cells. This means that the cells look different from typical cells.

Atypical hyperplasia is thought to be a very early step in the process that turns healthy cells into cancer cells. In theory, if the atypical hyperplasia cells were allowed to continue growing, they could get more changes in the DNA and cells become cancerous. More research is needed to understand how this happens.

Atypical hyperplasia may occur in the breast ducts or lobules of the breast:

  • Atypical ductal hyperplasia describes a growth of abnormal cells within the breast ducts. The mammary ducts are tubes that can lead to breast milk in the nipples. This type of atypical hyperplasia is the most common.
  • Atypical lobular hyperplasia describes a growth of abnormal cells within the breast lobules. The breast lobules are the glands that can make milk. This type of atypical hyperplasia is less common.

Both types of atypical hyperplasia increase the risk of breast cancer. The treatment of both types is similar.

Risk factors

There are No specific risk factors for atypical hyperplasia of the breast. Atypical hyperplasia is one of several conditions that cause the growth of cells in the breast that is not cancerous. These conditions are sometimes called benign diseases of the breast. Health professionals have been found to be risk factors for benign diseases of the breast. They include:

  • A family history of breast cancer. If a parent, brother or son had cancer of the breast, the risk of being diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia of the breast or other benign breast disease before the menopause is greater.
  • Hormone therapy for the menopause. Taking certain medications for hormonal therapy to control the symptoms of menopause can increase the risk of atypical hyperplasia and other benign diseases of the breast.

Complications

If you have been diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia of the breast, you have an increased risk of getting breast cancer in the future. The risk of breast cancer in people with atypical hyperplasia is approximately four times greater than in those who did not have atypical hyperplasia. The risk is similar to the atypical ductal hyperplasia and atypical lobular hyperplasia.

Studies of women with atypical hyperplasia have found that the risk of breast cancer increases with time. At 25 years after diagnosis, approximately 30% of women with atypical hyperplasia can have breast cancer. Put another way, for every 100 women diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia, 30 it can be expected that the breast cancer 25 years after diagnosis. And 70 is not going to develop breast cancer.

Prevention

It is not clear if there's anything that can prevent the atypical hyperplasia of the breast. The same things which help to reduce the risk of breast cancer can help reduce the risk of atypical hyperplasia. Things you can do to reduce your risk of breast cancer include:

Ask about breast cancer screening

Talk with your doctor or other health care professional about when to start screening for breast cancer. Ask about the benefits and risks of the test. Together, you can decide which screening tests for breast cancer are right for you.

Become familiar with your breasts through breast self-exam for breast awareness

You can choose to become familiar with their breasts from time to time inspection of them during a breast self-exam for breast awareness. If there is a new change, a lump or something that is not typical in their breasts, and report to a health care professional immediately.

Breast awareness can't prevent breast cancer. But it can help to better understand the look and feel of your breasts. This may make it more likely that you'll notice if something changes.

Drink alcohol only in moderation, if at all

Limit the amount of alcoholic beverages to no more than one drink per day, if you choose to drink. For the prevention of breast cancer, there is no safe amount of alcohol. So if you are very concerned about your risk of breast cancer, you can choose not to drink alcohol.

Exercise most days of the week

Try to do at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. If you haven't been active lately, consult with a medical professional if you feel well and start slowly.

Limit of hormone therapy for menopause

Hormone therapy and treatments used to relieve the symptoms of menopause can increase the risk of breast cancer. Talk with a health professional about the benefits and risks of hormone therapy.

Some people have symptoms during menopause, causing discomfort. These people may decide that the risks of hormone therapy are acceptable to obtain relief. To reduce the risk of breast cancer, the use of the lowest dose of hormone therapy possible for the least amount of time.

Maintain a healthy weight

If your weight is healthy, work to maintain that weight. If you need to lose weight, consult with a health care professional about the healthy ways to lose your weight. Eating fewer calories, and gradually increase the amount of exercise.

Diagnosis

Atypical hyperplasia of the breast is most often diagnosed during a breast biopsy. A breast biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of breast tissue for testing. Often if something is worrying is found during a clinical breast exam or an imaging test, such as a mammogram or an ultrasound.

Treatment

The treatment for atypical hyperplasia of the breast can include surgery to remove the atypical cells. Not everyone needs surgery. Your health care team may recommend more frequent screening of cancer of the breast for signs of breast cancer. You could also consider the possibility of a medication to lower the risk of breast cancer.

Surgery

Atypical hyperplasia of the breast can be treated with surgery to remove the atypical cells. This might be advisable if mammogram images show something about. The members of your health care team usually decide whether to recommend surgery based on the discussion of their results of imaging tests, the results of the biopsy of breast and other factors.

If you have surgery, the tissue removed during the operation is tested in the laboratory to look for signs of cancer. The majority of people who undergo surgery for atypical hyperplasia do not have breast cancer. But sometimes, surgery is non-invasive breast cancer, also called ductal carcinoma in situ or invasive breast cancer.

Not all people with atypical hyperplasia of the breast surgery needs. Some of the health care teams may not recommend surgery if there is a low risk of cancer screening. The level of risk may depend on the results of the mammogram, pictures, and other factors such as your medical history and the past of breast operations. Your health care team to carefully consider its results of the biopsy and other health conditions when choosing the treatment plan that is best for you.

Medication to reduce the risk of breast cancer

Medications that block the hormone estrogen in the body can reduce the risk of breast cancer. The majority of breast cancers with the use of estrogen and other hormones to help the growth of the cancer. Blocking estrogen helps to stop the cancer of the training.

Hormone-blocking drugs used to reduce the risk of breast cancer include:

  • Tamoxifen
  • Raloxifene (Evista)
  • Anastrozole (Arimidex)
  • Exemestane (Aromasin)

These medications are usually taken daily for five years to reduce the risk of breast cancer. The medicine tamoxifen is sometimes taken at a lower dose every other day. Talk with your health care team about what medicine is best for you.

Follow-up care for breast cancer

Atypical hyperplasia of the breast increases the risk of breast cancer. To your health care team create a breast cancer screening plan. You may have more frequent of the research or of the different tests for detection of someone with an average risk of breast cancer.

Screening of breast cancer may include:

  • Breast self-exams for breast awareness to become familiar with the typical look and feel of your breasts.
  • Clinical breast exams by a health care professional once or twice a year.
  • Screening mammograms once a year.
  • Additional breast cancer screening tests based on your other risk factors for breast cancer. These tests may include magnetic resonance imaging of the breast , molecular breast imaging, and other complementary breast imaging tests. Which test is best for you can depend on the risk factors for breast cancer, family history of breast cancer, if you have changes in the DNA that increase the risk of cancer of the breast and if your mammogram images demonstrate that they have dense breasts.

Other ways to reduce your risk of breast cancer

To reduce your risk of breast cancer, your health care team may recommend that you:

  • Avoid hormone therapy for menopause. Certain types of medications that use hormones to help control the symptoms of menopause can increase the risk of breast cancer. If you have symptoms of the menopause, ask your health care team about treatments that do not increase the risk of breast cancer.
  • Consider surgery to reduce the risk of breast cancer. If you have a very high risk of breast cancer, your health care team may recommend surgery to reduce the risk. The risk may be higher if you have a strong family history of breast cancer. The risk may also be high if the changes in the DNA that increase the risk of breast cancer in your family. An operation that can reduce the risk of breast cancer is surgery to remove both breasts. This procedure is called a risk-reducing mastectomy or prophylactic mastectomy.
  • Make healthy lifestyle choices. Make healthy choices into your daily life to reduce your risk of breast cancer. For example, the exercise most days of the week and maintain a healthy weight. Do not smoke. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink, whether you choose to drink alcohol. For the prevention of breast cancer, there is no safe amount of alcohol. So if you are very concerned about your risk of breast cancer, you can choose not to drink alcohol.
  • To participate in a clinical trial. Clinical trials test new treatments. Trials test the best way to manage the risk of breast cancer in people with atypical hyperplasia may be available. Ask your health care team about clinical trials.

Coping and support

Learning that you have atypical hyperplasia of the breast can feel stress. Some people say that it makes you worry about your risk of breast cancer. With time, you'll find your own way to deal with atypical hyperplasia. Until you find what works for you, consider trying to:

Understand your individual risk of breast cancer

Breast cancer risk statistics can be overwhelming and worrisome. These statistics were calculated using the following many people with atypical hyperplasia and follow-up for breast cancer. While these numbers can give you an idea of their perspective, they can't tell you about your own risk of breast cancer.

Ask your health professional to explain your individual risk of breast cancer. Once you understand your personal risk of breast cancer, you may feel more comfortable making decisions about your treatment.

Go to all your follow-up appointments

If you have been diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia, you may need more frequent breast cancer screenings and tests. It is normal to feel anxious or worried before these tests. Don't let these feelings to keep you from going to your appointments.

Instead, find activities that help you cope with your concerns. Relax, write your feelings in a journal, or spend time with a friend that will cheer you up.

Talk with other people in your situation

Connect with other people who have been diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia. Ask your health care team about support groups in your community and online.

Preparing for your appointment

If a mammogram reveals a suspicious area in your breast, your health care professional may refer you to a breast health specialist or specialty breast center. If you have atypical hyperplasia of the breast, a breast health specialist can help you understand your risk of breast cancer and create a plan to help you manage the risk.

What you can do

To prepare for your appointment, try the following:

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there is anything that you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking.
  • Consider the possibility of a family member or friend. Sometimes it can be difficult to absorb all of the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.

Questions to ask

Your time with your health care team is limited, so preparing a list of questions ahead of time. A list of questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For the atypical hyperplasia, some basic questions to ask include:

  • Can you explain my pathology report for me?
  • I need more tests?
  • I'm going to need the surgery of atypical hyperplasia?
  • There are medications you can take to reduce my risk of breast cancer?
  • What can I do to reduce my risk of breast cancer?
  • What are the symptoms of breast cancer should I watch for?
  • How often should I have a mammogram to detect breast cancer?
  • I also have an mri to detect breast cancer?
  • What would you recommend to a friend or family member in my situation?
  • Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
  • I need to see a breast health specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover it?
  • Should I consider genetic counseling?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?

In addition to the questions you have prepared, do not hesitate to ask other questions that come to mind during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care team is likely to ask a series of questions. Be prepared to answer questions such as:

  • Do you have a family history of breast cancer?
  • Do you have a family history of other types of cancer?
  • Has had a breast biopsy before? Do you know the results of previous breast biopsies?
Symptoms and treatment of Atypical hyperplasia of the breast