This suggests that it might be a precursor to early breast cancer. However, some studies have found that flat epithelial atypia actually poses a low risk of developing into invasive breast cancer. More research is needed to better understand the significance of this condition.

Should I worry about flat epithelial atypia?

This suggests that it might be a precursor to early breast cancer. However, some studies have found that flat epithelial atypia actually poses a low risk of developing into invasive breast cancer. More research is needed to better understand the significance of this condition.

Is flat epithelial atypia cancer?

Flat epithelial atypia (FEA) is a non-cancerous condition that develops in the breast. This change can only be seen after tissue from the breast is examined under the microscope by a pathologist.

How common is flat epithelial atypia?

The most common histologic subtype in biopsies was flat epithelia atypia in 35.2%, followed by papillary lesions in 21% and atypical ductal hyperplasia in 20%.

Does flat epithelial atypia need to be excised?

Surgical excision is recommended for pure flat epithelial atypia diagnosed at core needle biopsy, as the upgrade rate is greater than 2% as recommended by the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System.

What does flat epithelial atypia mean?

Flat epithelial atypia is a descriptive term that encompasses lesions of the breast terminal duct lobular units in which variably dilated acini are lined by one to several layers of epithelial cells, which are usually columnar in shape and which display low-grade cytologic atypia.

What is a high risk breast lesion?

A high risk lesion refers to a lesion that has, or is associated with, a greater risk of developing breast cancer in future, or that suggests a more concerning underlying pathology. While these lesions are not breast cancer, excision is often recommended.

Can atypia turn into cancer?

Over the course of your lifetime, if the atypical hyperplasia cells accumulate in the milk ducts or lobules and become more abnormal, this can transition into noninvasive breast cancer (carcinoma in situ) or invasive breast cancer.

What is the difference between atypia and dysplasia?

It is implied that atypia represents a benign process in many instances, while dysplasia describes a pre-neoplastic/neoplastic process1, although variation in defining these categories at the microscopic level often leads to confusion.

What does epithelial atypia mean?

Abstract. Flat epithelial atypia is a descriptive term that encompasses lesions of the breast terminal duct lobular units in which variably dilated acini are lined by one to several layers of epithelial cells, which are usually columnar in shape and which display low-grade cytologic atypia.

What is breast atypia?

Atypical hyperplasia (or atypia) means that there are abnormal cells in breast tissue taken during a biopsy. (A biopsy means that tissue was removed from the body for examination in a laboratory.) These abnormal cell collections are benign (not cancer), but are high-risk for cancer.

What does flat epithelial atypia mean in a biopsy?

Is ALH precancerous?

Breast anatomy Atypical hyperplasia is a precancerous condition that affects cells in the breast. Atypical hyperplasia describes an accumulation of abnormal cells in the milk ducts and lobules of the breast. Atypical hyperplasia isn’t cancer, but it increases the risk of breast cancer.