ORIGINAL ARTICLE


https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10045-00130
The Journal of Medical Sciences
Volume 5 | Issue 3 | Year 2019

Spectrum of Lesions in Peritumoral Area in Association with Carcinoma of Breast


Shushan S Jayker1, Sahithi Tadi2, Jyothi R Kaluva3, Sharmila P Surhonne4

1–4Department of Pathology, RajaRajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Corresponding Author: Shushan S Jayker, Department of Pathology, RajaRajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, Phone: +91 9844795849, e-mail: shwetajayker@gmail.com

How to cite this article Jayker SS, Tadi S, Kaluva JR, et al. Spectrum of Lesions in Peritumoral Area in Association with Carcinoma of Breast. J Med Sci 2019;5(3):63–66.

Source of support: Nil

Conflict of interest: None

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Breast cancer remains a global health problem with an increasing incidence. Breast carcinogenesis emerges by a multistep process via steps of hyperplasia, premalignant change, and in situ carcinoma. Women with proliferative breast disease have been observed to have an increased risk of breast cancer. Improved knowledge of breast carcinogenesis will provide insight for defining the high-risk groups, thus resulting in improved screening and management regimens.

Materials and methods: The present study included 60 radical mastectomies for carcinoma of breast at RajaRajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru, from August 2015 to July 2018. The primary tumor and peritumoral area were studied both grossly and microscopically for the different lesions and the results were analyzed.

Observation and results: Of the 60 cases of breast carcinomas, the predominant type of carcinoma was infiltrating ductal carcinoma, no specific type (88%) (IDC, NOS). The lesions in peritumoral area were fibrocystic changes (62%), proliferative breast lesions (13%), and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (25%).

Conclusion: Most of the peritumoral area showed fibrocystic changes which have a less absolute risk of 3%, whereas DCIS has an absolute lifetime risk of 25–30% transforming into carcinoma of breast, making those patients mandatory for follow-up and management.

Keywords: Breast cancer, Peritumoral area, Proliferative breast disease.

INTRODUCTION

Breast cancer remains a global health problem with an increasing incidence.1 Breast carcinogenesis emerges by a multistep process via steps of hyperplasia, premalignant change, and in situ carcinoma.2 Benign breast diseases encompasses a spectrum of histologic entities usually subdivided into nonproliferative breast lesions, proliferative breast lesions without atypia, and proliferative breast lesions with atypia.3 Nonproliferative changes do not increase the risk of cancer. Proliferative breast disease is associated with a mild increased risk, while proliferative disease (PD) with atypia confers a moderate increase in the risk of breast cancer.4 Improved knowledge of breast carcinogenesis will provide insight for defining the high-risk groups, thus resulting in improved screening and management regimens.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total 60 cases of radical mastectomy specimens for carcinoma of breast received in the Department of Pathology over a period of 3 years at RajaRajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru, were included in the study. The specimens were grossed according to the standard protocol. The primary tumor and peritumoral area were assessed and additional bits were taken from the peritumoral area. The tissue bits were processed routinely and sections were stained by hematoxylin and eosin stain for microscopic examination. Data regarding age, categorization of lesions, and its percentage were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 60 cases, 56 cases were infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC), no otherwise specified (NOS) type, 1 case each of lobular carcinoma, mixed lobular and ductal carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma, and intracystic papillary carcinoma was diagnosed. The peritumoral area of these cases showed a single lesion or a combination of lesions. Age of the patients ranged from 21 to 80 years. Most of cases were seen in the age-group of 41–60 years (Fig. 1). Most common findings were of proliferative epithelial lesions without atypia (44%) noted in the adjacent tissue of carcinoma breast (Fig. 2).

Fig. 1: Age distribution

Fig. 2: Adjacent tissue changes in carcinoma breast

Fig. 3: Microphotograph showing fibrocystic change with apocrine metaplasia (HandE 10×)

Fig. 4: Microphotograph showing florid epithelial hyperplasia (HandE 10×)

Fig. 5: Microphotograph showing papillomatosis within duct (HandE 10×)

Fig. 6: Microphotograph showing cribriform ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (HandE 10×)

The different lesions noted in the peritumoral area in our study were fibrocystic change (33%) (Fig. 3), adenosis (10%), apocrine metaplasia (9%), sclerosing adenosis (1%), usual ductal hyperplasia (6%), moderate ductal hyperplasia (2%), florid ductal hyperplasia (2%) (Fig. 4), atypical ductal hyperplasia (2%), micropapillary hyperplasia (2%), intraductal papilloma (3%) (Fig. 5), and DCIS (20%) (Figs 6 and 7). No changes were observed in the remaining four cases (4%) (Table 1).

DISCUSSION

Benign breast disease is an important risk factor for a later breast cancer, which can develop in either breast.1 It encompasses a spectrum of histologic entities, usually subdivided into nonproliferative lesions, proliferative lesions without atypia, and atypical hyperplasias (AHs), with an increased risk of breast cancer associated with proliferative or atypical lesions.25 Dupont and Page found that women with non-PD did not have an increased risk of a later breast cancer.2 They observed a prevalence of AH, proliferative disease without atypia (PWDA), and non-PD of 4%, 27%, and 69%, respectively. Their reported prevalence of AH and PWDA is somewhat lower than that reported here.6

Fig. 7: High-power view of cribriform DCIS (HandE 40×)

Table 1: Associated changes in adjacent tissues of carcinoma breast
Type of lesionNumberPercentage
Adenosis  1010
Apocrine metaplasia    9  9
Papillary apocrine metaplasia    1  1
Duct ectasia    5  5
Fibrocystic change  3333
Duct papilloma    3  3
Sclerosing adenosis    2  2
Usual ductal hyperplasia    6  6
Florid ductal hyperplasia    2  2
Micropapillary hyperplasia    2  2
Atypical ductal hyperplasia    2  2
DCIS  2020
No changes    4  4
Total lesions100
Table 2: Comparison of lesions with other studies
Nonproliferative lesions (%)Proliferative lesions without atypia (%)Proliferative lesions with atypia (%)Other changes (%)
Present study2644624
Shashikala et al.827201835
Bhagyalakshmi et al.916291045
London et al.53839.622.3
Hartmann et al.1066.629.63.6
Table 3: Comparison of age-group with other studies
Age groupPercentage
Present study30–5051
Shashikala et al.831–5059
Bhagyalakshmi et al.930–5051

Most of the peritumoral area in our study showed proliferative lesions (50%), of which 44% were without atypia and 6% with atypia. The nonproliferative lesions accounted for 26%, DCIS in 20% of cases and 2% of cases had no changes (Fig. 2). The results in our study were in concordance with other studies (Table 2).

Palli et al.7 performed a case–control study nested in a cohort of approximately 6,000 women in the Florence district of Italy, who underwent benign breast biopsies. They found that breast cancer risks in women with PDWA and AH relative to those without PD were 1.3 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.5–3.5) and 13 (95% CI, 4.1–42), respectively.

The age range in our study of 60 cases was 20–80 years and 30–50 years was the most common age-group for breast carcinomas. This is similar to the studies done by Shashikala et al.8 and Bhagyalakshmi et al. (Table 3).9 The predominant histological subtype of carcinoma diagnosed was IDC, NOS type (88%).

The presence of atypia in women under 45 years of age conveyed twice the risk observed among women over 55 years of age (6.99 and 3.37, respectively), which might relate, in part, to menopausal status.10

However, in the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) study of women with lower categories of benign breast disease, the risk of breast cancer was greatest among postmenopausal women.11

Two main types of carcinoma-in-situ (CIS) are described—DCIS and lobular carcinoma in situ. Previous studies of CIS indicate that approximately a third will subsequently develop invasive carcinoma (IC). Autopsy studies indicate that CIS is frequently occurring and it was estimated that about 20% of all women will develop CIS during lifetime. Only a minor fraction is ever diagnosed, though the incidence of DCIS is increasing, especially related to mammography screening.12

CONCLUSION

Breast carcinomas are increasing in incidence, with 51% of cases seen in %3C;50 years of age in the present study. Proliferative epithelial lesions are at increased risk of subsequent breast cancer. We noted the frequency of these lesions associated with breast carcinoma in 50% of cases. Hence, diagnosis of these lesions has gained momentum in recent years. With careful follow-up with clinical breast examination every 6 to 12 months and annual mammographic screening can reduce the occurrence of invasive breast cancer.

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