Atypical lobular hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ at core-needle breast biopsy

To review outcomes of lesions diagnosed at core-needle breast biopsy as atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH) or lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS).

Results from 1,400 consecutive core-needle breast biopsies were reviewed. Twenty-five (1.8%) biopsy samples with the diagnosis of lobular neoplasia (15 with ALH and 10 with LCIS) adjacent to or in a targeted benign lesion were found. Lesions were excised (n = 15) or followed up (n = 10) at least 22 months.

Of the 15 lesions with ALH, 13 (87%) were adjacent to (n = 12) or associated with (n = 1) microcalcifications, and two (13%) were in masses. Six lesions with residual calcifications were excised. One lesion was diagnosed as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and five were benign (residual ALH was seen in four). One excised mass showed residual ALH. Six lesions were gone at follow-up, one cluster of microcalcifications was decreased in size, and one fibroadenoma with ALH was stable. Of the 10 lesions with LCIS, seven (70%) were adjacent to (n = 6) or associated with (n = 1) microcalcifications, and three (30%) were in or adjacent to masses. Five lesions with LCIS and residual microcalcifications were excised. Three yielded atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH); one, residual LCIS; and one, ALH. Three masses with LCIS were excised. One showed residual LCIS; one, a papilloma with adjacent LCIS; and one, a fibroadenoma with LCIS in it. One cluster of microcalcifications was gone at follow-up, and one was stable.

After a diagnosis of lobular neoplasia at core biopsy, residual microcalcifications are viewed in the context of a patient at higher risk of cancer. Of 11 lesions with residual microcalcifications, three (27%) were ADH and one (9%) was DCIS.