Question: In 2006, I had lumpectomy and radiation in right breast following diagnosis of DCIS. I was 38. No family history. First mammogram. Margins were clear. I have had MRIs every six months alternating with mammograms every six months. Two weeks ago, I had a stereotatic biopsy that indicated ADH in the left breast [...]
Question: I looked for a way to post on your ask the pathologists forum but was unable so here is my question. I noticed a lump a few months ago and saw my primary care MD, sent for a mammagrom and US. Mammagram totally normal, no calcifications, US saw the mass and a biospy was [...]
I wrote a blog article a couple of years ago about how there is a lot of misinformation given out by many websites where patients can write in and ask questions related to breast pathology issues.
Unfortunately, in the past few years nothing seems to have changed. There are still many sites out there where [...]
Question: My core biopsy came back as “fibrocystic changes with a small focus of atypical ductal hyperplasia. calcifications are present within the focus of atypical ductal hyperplasia and in surrounding ducts.” My sister’s friend is a breast cancer nurse and recommended I get a second opinion at her hospital and so I had them [...]
A recent news release from Genomic Health, Inc. indicates preliminary data shows that the Oncotype DX® test can provide a score predicting risk of local recurrence in patients with a diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
DCIS is a very heterogeneous disease and there is disagreement in the breast care community as to how to [...]
Question: Hello, and thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.
March 29th first biopsy done, clinical information and history: Bloody nipple discharge left breast for 20 months, papilloma suspected, mammogram clear. Diagnosis after excision: 1. Low grade DCIS 2. Focal proliferative fibrocystic changes and small intraductal papilloma 3. DCIS [...]
Question: I am 40 years old and had my first mammogram 2 months ago. It showed a 5 mm area of micro calcifications. I had a stereotactic vacuum assisted biopsy and 8 samples were retrieved. The histopath came back as DCIS – cribriform, clinging, with a nuclear grade of 2 out of 3. The slides [...]
I recently gave a talk on second opinions in breast pathology at the 21st Annual Conference of the National Consortium of Breast Centers in Las Vegas. A modified version of that talk is available here as a pdf:
Second_Opinion_Pathology
The first part of the talk covers some of the data in the literature and the second part [...]
If you haven’t seen this recent article from the New York Times it’s worth a read.
I have posted before about the importance of getting your breast biopsy diagnosed from a pathologist who specializes in breast pathology. This article points out how subtle the distinction can be between atypical ductal hyperplasia and low grade ductal carcinoma [...]
Question: Hello, I just received the results of my core biopsy, I would like you opinion on it. Proliferated fibrocystic changes comprised of ductal epithelial hyerlasia with focal atypia, duct single minute microcalcification seen in benign fibrotic tissue. Patient needs surgery consult for breast biopsy. At this point, what do you think my risk is for cancer? I [...]