Atypical hyperplasia of the breast is the development of precancerous cells in the breast. Atypical hyperplasia causes a buildup of cells in the breast tissue. When viewed with a microscope, the cells look different from typical breast cells.
Atypical hyperplasia of the breast isn't breast cancer. But it's a sign that you have an increased risk of breast cancer in the future.
Your healthcare team creates a plan to help you manage your risk of breast cancer. Often this includes more-frequent breast cancer screening tests. You also might consider medicines to reduce breast cancer risk.
Atypical hyperplasia of the breast usually doesn't cause any symptoms.
Atypical hyperplasia of the breast is typically found during a breast biopsy. A breast biopsy is a procedure to remove some breast cells for testing. It's often recommended if something concerning is found on a mammogram or an ultrasound. A biopsy also might be done to investigate a breast concern, such as a lump.
Make an appointment with a doctor or other healthcare professional if you have any symptoms that worry you.
It's not clear what causes atypical hyperplasia of the breast.
Atypical hyperplasia of the breast happens when cells in the breast tissue develop changes in their DNA. A cell's DNA holds the instructions that tell the cell what to do. The changes tell the cell to make many more cells. This causes a buildup of cells in the breast. Healthcare professionals call this buildup hyperplasia. The changes also turn the cells into atypical cells. This means that the cells look different from typical cells.
Atypical hyperplasia is thought to be a very early step in the process that turns healthy cells into cancer cells. In theory, if atypical hyperplasia cells are allowed to continue growing, they could get more DNA changes and become cancer cells. More research is needed to understand how this happens.
Atypical hyperplasia can happen in the breast ducts or the breast lobules:
Both types of atypical hyperplasia increase the risk of breast cancer. Treatment for both types is similar.
There are no specific risk factors for atypical hyperplasia of the breast. Atypical hyperplasia is one of several conditions that cause a growth of cells in the breast that isn't cancerous. These conditions are sometimes called benign breast diseases. Healthcare professionals have found risk factors for benign breast diseases. They include:
If you've been diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia of the breast, you have an increased risk of getting breast cancer in the future. The risk of breast cancer in those with atypical hyperplasia is about four times higher than in those who don't have atypical hyperplasia. The risk is similar for atypical ductal hyperplasia and atypical lobular hyperplasia.
Studies of women with atypical hyperplasia have found that the risk of breast cancer increases over time. At 25 years after diagnosis, about 30% of women with atypical hyperplasia may have breast cancer. Put another way, for every 100 women diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia, 30 can be expected to have breast cancer 25 years after diagnosis. And 70 will not develop breast cancer.
It's not clear whether there's anything that can prevent atypical hyperplasia of the breast. The same things that help lower the risk of breast cancer may help lower the risk of atypical hyperplasia. Things you can do to lower your risk of breast cancer include:
Talk with your doctor or other healthcare professional about when to begin breast cancer screening. Ask about the benefits and risks of screening. Together, you can decide what breast cancer screening tests are right for you.
You may choose to become familiar with your breasts by occasionally inspecting them during a breast self-exam for breast awareness. If there is a new change, a lump or something not typical in your breasts, report it to a healthcare professional right away.
Breast awareness can't prevent breast cancer. But it may help you to better understand the look and feel of your breasts. This might make it more likely that you'll notice if something changes.
Limit the amount of alcohol you drink to no more than one drink a day, if you choose to drink. For breast cancer prevention, there is no safe amount of alcohol. So if you're very concerned about your breast cancer risk, you may choose to not drink alcohol.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. If you haven't been active lately, ask a healthcare professional whether it's OK and start slowly.
Hormone therapy treatments used to ease menopause symptoms may increase the risk of breast cancer. Talk with a healthcare professional about the benefits and risks of hormone therapy.
Some people have symptoms during menopause that cause discomfort. These people may decide that the risks of hormone therapy are acceptable to get relief. To reduce the risk of breast cancer, use the lowest dose of hormone therapy possible for the shortest amount of time.
If your weight is healthy, work to maintain that weight. If you need to lose weight, ask a healthcare professional about healthy ways to lower your weight. Eat fewer calories and slowly increase the amount of exercise.
Atypical hyperplasia of the breast is most often diagnosed during a breast biopsy. A breast biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of breast tissue for testing. It's often done if something concerning is found during a clinical breast exam or on an imaging test, such as a mammogram or an ultrasound.
Treatment for atypical hyperplasia of the breast may involve surgery to remove the atypical cells. Not everyone needs surgery. Your healthcare team might recommend more-frequent breast cancer screening to watch for signs of breast cancer. You also might consider medicine to lower your risk of breast cancer.
Atypical hyperplasia of the breast may be treated with surgery to remove the atypical cells. This might be recommended if mammogram images show something concerning. Members of your healthcare team typically decide whether to recommend surgery based on a discussion of your imaging test results, the results of your breast biopsy and other factors.
If you have surgery, the tissue removed during the operation is tested in the lab to look for signs of cancer. Most people who have surgery for atypical hyperplasia don't have breast cancer. But sometimes the surgery finds noninvasive breast cancer, also called ductal carcinoma in situ, or invasive breast cancer.
Not everyone with atypical hyperplasia of the breast needs surgery. Some healthcare teams may not recommend surgery if there is a low risk of finding cancer. The level of risk may depend on the findings of your mammogram images and other factors, such as your medical history and past breast operations. Your healthcare team carefully considers your biopsy results and your other health conditions when choosing the treatment plan that's best for you.
Medicines that block the hormone estrogen in the body can lower the risk of breast cancer. Most breast cancers use estrogen and other hormones to help the cancer grow. Blocking estrogen helps stop cancer from forming.
Hormone-blocking medicines that are used to lower breast cancer risk include:
These medicines are typically taken daily for five years to reduce the risk of breast cancer. The medicine tamoxifen is sometimes taken in a lower dose every other day. Talk with your healthcare team about which medicine is best for you.
Atypical hyperplasia of the breast increases the risk of breast cancer. So your healthcare team creates a breast cancer screening plan. You might have more-frequent screening or different screening tests than would someone with an average risk of breast cancer.
Your breast cancer screening may include:
To reduce your risk of breast cancer, your healthcare team may recommend that you:
Finding out that you have atypical hyperplasia of the breast can feel stressful. Some people say it causes them worry about their risk of breast cancer. With time, you'll find your own way of coping with atypical hyperplasia. Until you find what works for you, consider trying to:
Breast cancer risk statistics can be overwhelming and worrisome. These statistics are figured out by following many people with atypical hyperplasia and monitoring them for breast cancer. While these statistics can give you an idea of your outlook, they can't tell you about your own risk of breast cancer.
Ask your healthcare professional to explain your individual risk of breast cancer. Once you understand your personal risk of breast cancer, you can feel more comfortable making decisions about your treatment.
If you've been diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia, you may need more-frequent breast cancer screening exams and tests. It's common to feel anxious or worried before these tests. Don't let these feelings keep you from going to your appointments.
Instead, find activities that help you cope with worries. Relax, write your feelings in a journal or spend time with a close friend who can lift your spirits.
Connect with others who have been diagnosed with atypical hyperplasia. Ask your healthcare team about support groups in your community and online.
If a mammogram reveals a suspicious area in your breast, your healthcare professional may refer you to a breast health specialist or a specialized breast center. If you have atypical hyperplasia of the breast, a breast health specialist can help you understand your breast cancer risk and create a plan to help you manage the risk.
To prepare for your appointment, try to:
Your time with your healthcare team is limited, so prepare a list of questions ahead of time. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For atypical hyperplasia, some basic questions to ask include:
In addition to the questions that you've prepared, don't hesitate to ask other questions that come to mind during your appointment.
Your healthcare team is likely to ask you a number of questions. Be prepared to answer questions such as:
