[The pathology of mastopathy and breast cancer]

Radiologists and pathologists play the most important role in the diagnosis of breast diseases. The combination of mammographic and cytological investigations can lead to the determination of which lesions require an operation and which do not. Fibroadenomas, mastopathies and carcinomas are the most common histological diagnoses. It is necessary to decide which type of mastopathy (atypical intraductal or intralobular hyperplasia) might involve a higher risk of carcinoma. When classifying carcinomas, the pathologist must give details about prognostic factors such as staging (pTN status), histological typing, grading, and hormone receptors (oestrogen and gestagen).