atypical ductal hyperplasia
Meaning of atypical ductal hyperplasia: Atypical ductal hyperplasia is a benign breast condition marked by abnormal appearing cells that raises the future risk of breast cancer.
Definition of atypical ductal hyperplasia
Atypical ductal hyperplasia is a benign, meaning noncancerous, condition of the breast in which cells within the milk ducts increase in number beyond what is typical and appear abnormal when examined under a microscope. It is generally identified incidentally, often found on a biopsy performed to evaluate an unrelated finding such as calcifications seen on imaging.
Although atypical ductal hyperplasia is not cancer, having this finding is associated with a higher than average future risk of developing breast cancer compared with someone without the condition, a risk that applies to either breast rather than only the area where the finding was identified.
Because of this increased risk, atypical ductal hyperplasia is typically followed with closer breast cancer screening going forward, and the finding itself is distinguished from ductal carcinoma in situ, a more advanced abnormal change classified as an early form of cancer.
Also known as
Used in a sentence
A breast biopsy revealed atypical ductal hyperplasia following an abnormal mammogram finding.
Good to know
Atypical ductal hyperplasia is a benign finding rather than cancer, but it is distinguished from ductal carcinoma in situ, a more advanced change classified as an early form of breast cancer, a distinction generally confirmed through biopsy.
Word origin
Where “atypical ductal hyperplasia” comes from
Formed from Greek hyper-, meaning excessive, and plasis, meaning a forming, describing an increased number of cells.