[Potentially precancerous stage of breast cancer]

On the basis of experience with more than 5000 patients, a new classification of potentially precancerous alterations of the breast tissue was undertaken on the basis of more than 200 000 sections. This new classification distinguishes a mastodysplasia minima, a mastodysplasia media and mastodysplasia persevera (lobular and ductular structure). The borderline cases of mastodysplasia media require especially intensive discussion. The histological description is made to serve patient-orientated medicine. On the basis of this classification, potential prestages of breast cancer can be healed when the appropriate inference is made from the exact diagnosis. With advances in technique of breast surgery, subcutaneous mastectomy is to be considered as a possible method of choice. In particular, this also applies as prophylactic therapy in unclear borderline cases, above all in mastodysplasia persevera, and in occasional cases also in mastodysplasia media. The classification of the different degrees of severity of mastodysplasia (as a potential precancerous condition of the breast) has been used successfully for more than six years in a large number of patients.