High-risk lesions of the breast: concurrent diagnostic tools and management recommendations

Abstract

Breast lesions with uncertain malignant behavior, also known as high-risk or B3 lesions, are composed of a variety of pathologies with differing risks of associated malignancy. While open excision was previously preferred to manage all high-risk lesions, tailored management has been increasingly favored to reduce overtreatment and spare patients from unnecessary anxiety or high healthcare costs associated with surgical excision. The purpose of this work is to provide the reader with an accurate overview focused on the main high-risk lesions of the breast: atypical intraductal epithelial proliferation (atypical ductal hyperplasia), lobular neoplasia (including the subcategories lobular carcinoma in situ and atypical lobular hyperplasia), flat epithelial atypia, radial scar and papillary lesions, and phyllodes tumor. Beyond merely presenting the radiological aspects of these lesions and the recent literature, information about their potential upgrade rates is discussed in order to provide a useful guide for appropriate clinical management while avoiding the risks of unnecessary surgical intervention (overtreatment).