Benign breast lesions that mimic malignant tumors: analysis of five distinct lesions

Interpretation of breast biopsies has assumed a large and important component of the surgical pathologist's practice. Currently, about 10% of women will develop breast carcinoma during their lifetime. This high incidence, coupled with increased public awareness of breast disease, greater use of screening mammography to detect early carcinomas, development of multiple therapeutic options (the latter often influenced by the pathology of the tumor), and a harsh medicolegal climate have placed greater demands on surgical pathologists for accurate interpretation of breast tissues. The focus of this report is to define the clinicopathologic features of five benign breast lesions that mimic malignant breast disease, and thus pose important diagnostic considerations to surgical pathologists.