Factors Predicting Breast Cancer Development in Women During Surveillance After Surgery for Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia of the Breast: Analysis of Clinical, Radiologic, and Histopathologic Features

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the risk of breast cancer development for women under surveillance after surgery for atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), as well as the clinical and pathologic factors associated with breast cancer development.

Methods: From November 2003 to December 2014, the study included 205 women (mean age, 47.1 ± 11.2 years; range 18-73 years) with a pathologic diagnosis of ADH at surgical excision who had preoperative mammography and ultrasonography (US) images and pathology slides available for review. The patients were classified into three groups according to the detection method as follows: negative group (with ADH occult on imaging), mammography group (with ADH detected on mammography), and US group (with ADH detected on US only). Clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic factors associated with breast cancer development after ADH surgery were evaluated.

Results: Breast cancer developed in 15 patients (7.3%) during surveillance after ADH surgery (follow-up period, 63.9 ± 40.8 months). Palpable lesions had significantly higher rates of breast cancer development after ADH surgery (26.7% vs 6.8%; P = 0.045). Breast cancer development after ADH surgery did not differ according to the detection method (P = 0.654). Palpability was significantly associated with breast cancer development during surveillance after ADH surgery (hazard ratio, 3.579; 95% confidence interval 1.048-12.220; P = 0.042).

Conclusion: The breast cancer development rate for women under surveillance after ADH surgery was 7.3%. Palpability at the time of ADH diagnosis was significantly associated with breast cancer development.