How often is fibrocystic change malignant?
Fibrocystic disease of the breast is a term that is very often misused and misunderstood. Fibrocystic changes in the breast are any changes in the breast that are not cancer. These problems could be lumpy breasts, painful or tender breasts and even swelling. These signs and symptoms have no relation to cancer. Late in the l980’s, the American College of Pathologists stated that fibrocystic disease does NOT increase the risk of cancer. There is one breast condition that does suggest increased cancer risk called atypical hyperplasia that has been wrongly termed fibrocystic disease. Atypical hyperplasia are cells in the breast that are abnormal and increased in number. Women with atypical hyperplasia have an increased relative risk of 3.5 for breast cancer. If they have a family history of breast cancer the risk increases to 8-9. A woman who has been told she has atypical hyperplasia should be very committed to close follow-up. This means a yearly mammogram and a physical exam of the brea
