Microglandular Adenosis and Associated Invasive Carcinoma

Microglandular adenosis is a rare borderline neoplastic lesion of the breast composed of haphazardly located small, round tubules with a single cell layer interspersed within breast stroma and/or adipose tissue. Microglandular adenosis is devoid of a myoepithelial cell layer, and has a characteristic immunophenotype, being positive for S100 and negative for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2/neu. When associated with cancer, microglandular adenosis and associated invasive carcinoma share the same molecular alterations, including TP53 mutation; therefore, microglandular adenosis is considered a nonobligate precursor of triple (HER2/neu, estrogen and progesterone receptors)-negative breast carcinoma. Microglandular adenosis is an important diagnostic pitfall as it can be easily mistaken for a low-grade invasive carcinoma.

To provide a review of the clinicopathologic features of microglandular adenosis and associated invasive carcinoma, with emphasis on key features separating entities in the differential diagnosis.

Review of current literature on microglandular adenosis and associated invasive carcinoma and personal experience of authors.

Microglandular adenosis can mimic breast carcinoma; attention to key features, including morphologic-immunophenotypic correlation, is essential in establishing the diagnosis.