Breast Cancer Risk Assessment

Types

Having some types of breast tissue can increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. Three types of tissue that increase risk are lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), atypical hyperplasia, and usual ductal hyperplasia.

Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS)

Lobular carcinoma in situ consists of a noninvasive increase in the cells of the milk-producing lobules of the breast. It is found by coincidence in breast tissue removed for another reason. There are no changes in the breast examination or mammogram associated with LCIS. The word "carcinoma" in the name reflects only that pathologists once thought that the tissue looked like an early stage of cancer. Observed over time, however, it is clear that areas of LCIS do not act like cancers.

The presence of LCIS in breast tissue, however, indicates an elevated risk of developing cancer in either breast at some time in the woman's life. For a woman who has LCIS, the risk of developing breast cancer is 10 times higher than the average risk.

Atypical Hyperplasia

The term "atypical hyperplasia" describes breast tissue showing an increased growth of some normal cells. It can be found in tissue obtained during a biopsy performed to evaluate calcifications in the breast, or may be found in breast tissue removed for other reasons. It may be seen as an excessive growth of cells of the milk ducts (atypical ductal hyperplasia) or of the milk-producing cells in the lobule of the breast tissue (atypical lobular hyperplasia). The presence of atypical hyperplasia increases a woman's risk of developing breast cancer to five times the average risk. The breast cancer risk is even higher in women with atypical hyperplasia and a family history of breast cancer.

Usual Ductal Hyperplasia

The term "usual ductal hyperplasia" describes breast tissue with an increased number of benign cells within a milk-collecting duct. This tissue type doubles a woman's risk of eventually developing invasive breast cancer.