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Incidental Pathologic Findings in Young Adult Reduction Mammaplasty
Jenna Maroney1, K C Collins1, Katelyn Dannheim1
1From Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University; the Departments of Plastic and Oral Surgery and Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Brown University; and the Department of Pathology, Rhode Island Hospital/Hasbro Children's Hospitals.
Routine histopathologic examination of breast tissue is beneficial for young women undergoing reduction mammaplasty, especially those with early menarche, as it can identify concerning lesions.
Area of Science:
- Breast pathology
- Surgical pathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Reduction mammaplasty is a common procedure in young women.
- Incidental microscopic findings in breast tissue can occur.
- The benefit of routine histopathologic examination in this demographic is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize incidental microscopic findings in young women undergoing reduction mammaplasty.
- To determine the value of routine histopathologic examination in this population.
- To identify risk factors associated with abnormal findings.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 798 young women undergoing reduction mammaplasty (June 2010 - May 2018).
- Analysis of demographics, surgical details, and histopathologic data.
- Statistical analyses including univariate and multivariable models.
Main Results:
- 11.8% of patients had abnormal histopathologic findings.
- Proliferative lesions without atypia were most common (8.0%).
- Atypical proliferative lesions and borderline phyllodes tumors were rare (1.1% and 0.1%, respectively).
- Early menarche (younger than 12 years) was linked to increased proliferative lesions.
Conclusions:
- Over 10% of young women undergoing reduction mammaplasty have histopathologic findings.
- Routine pathologic evaluation is recommended for early detection and improved surveillance.
- Particular attention should be given to patients with early menarche due to increased risk.
