Understanding Breast

Changes and Conditions

A Health Guide

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | National Institutes of Health

About this guide

This guide Understanding Breast Changes and Conditions can help you talk with your
doctor or nurse as you learn about next steps after an abnormal mammogram result or breast
change.

View PDF, ePub, and Kindle formats: www.cancer.gov/ubc-guide

Learn more online

National Cancer Institute (NCI): NCI has comprehensive research-based information on
breast cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, genetics, and supportive care.

● Visit NCI’s home page for breast cancer: www.cancer.gov/breast

● Throughout this guide, click on links that define medical terms in the NCI
dictionary: www.cancer.gov/dictionary

Call or chat online with an information specialist at our NCI Cancer Information Service at
www.cancer.gov/contact, in English and Spanish. There, you can also request a clinical trial
search related to breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or a breast condition.

Phone: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)

Website: www.cancer.gov or www.cancer.gov/espanol

Email: [email protected]

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): CDC’s National Breast and Cervical
Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) helps low-income, uninsured, and underinsured
women gain access to timely breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnostic, and treatment
services. NBCCEDP also provides patient navigation services to help women overcome
barriers and get timely access to quality care.

Visit www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp to find out if you qualify for free or low-cost breast and
cervical cancer screenings.
Table of Contents
For online viewers, click on a title to be taken to that section.

Female Breast Anatomy 1

Abnormal Breast Changes 2
Breast Changes during Your Lifetime 3
Screening for Breast Cancer 4
Mammogram Findings 7
Follow-Up Tests to Diagnose Breast Conditions and Breast Cancer 10
Benign Breast Conditions 13
Precancerous Breast Conditions 16
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) 17
Breast Cancer 17
Talking with Your Doctor to Learn More 18

The information in this booklet can help you

● talk with your doctor or nurse if you notice a breast change

● understand the importance of follow-up care if you had an abnormal mammogram result

● get the tests and treatment that your doctor or nurse recommends

We’ve also included questions within this guide to help you talk with your doctor or nurse.

www.cancer.gov
 Female Breast Anatomy
To better understand breast changes, it helps to know about the breasts and
lymphatic system.

Anatomy of the female breast

The nipple and areola are on the
outside of the breast. The lobes,
lobules, and ducts are inside the
breast. The breast also has lymph
nodes that go from the breast
to the armpit and are part of the
lymphatic system. The chest wall
has skin, fat, muscles, bones, and
other tissues that form a protective
structure around vital organs.

About the female breast

The female breast has different types of breast tissue.

● Glandular tissue includes breast lobes, lobules (sacs) that make milk, and ducts that carry
milk to the nipple; most breast cancers form in the ducts.

● Fibrous connective tissue supports, protects, and holds bones, muscles, and other tissues
and organs in place.

● Fatty breast tissue is found around the glandular and fibrous connective tissue.

Dense breasts have more glandular tissue and fibrous connective tissue and less fatty breast
tissue. Learn more about dense breast tissue on page 8.

About the lymphatic system

The lymphatic system is a part of your body’s defense system. It has lymph vessels and
lymph nodes.

● Lymph vessels are thin tubes that carry a fluid called lymph and white blood cells. Lymph
vessels lead to small, bean-shaped organs called lymph nodes.

● Lymph nodes are found near your breast, under your arm, above your collarbone, in your
chest, and in other parts of your body. Lymph nodes filter substances in lymph to help fight
infection and disease. They also store disease-fighting white blood cells called lymphocytes.

1 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)
Abnormal Breast Changes
Check with your doctor or nurse if you notice
unusual changes in your breast(s). Finding breast
● Lump or firm feeling (also called a mass), changes
including a lump in or near your breast, a
lump under your arm, thick or firm tissue Being familiar with how your
in or near your breast or under your arm, or breasts normally feel, such as
a change in the size or shape of your breast. when you shower or put on a bra,
can make it easier to notice any
Breast lumps come in different shapes and
changes. However, doing routine
sizes. Most lumps are not breast cancer.
breast self-exams has not been
● Nipple changes or discharge, including fluid shown to decrease the chance of
from the nipple that is not breast milk. Because dying from breast cancer.
nipple changes or discharge can sometimes be
Follow up with your doctor
signs of breast cancer, they should be checked. or nurse if you notice a breast
However, nipple discharge can be caused by change—even if you are not due
birth control pills, medicine, and infections. for a mammogram. Some breast
cancers, called interval breast
● Skin changes, including itching, redness
cancer, are diagnosed between
or darkening, scaling, swelling, dimples, or
routine mammogram screenings.
puckers on your breast or nipple that don’t
go away.

While some breast changes can be felt or seen, others can only be found during an imaging
procedure such as a mammogram, MRI, or ultrasound.

“One day I felt a small lump in my breast.

I was worried, so I called to schedule a
mammogram. I’m glad that I did.”

www.cancer.gov 2
 Breast Changes during Your Lifetime
Most women notice changes in the Talking about breast changes
breasts at different times during their
life.
with a doctor or nurse
Prepare before your visit by writing down
● Before or during menstruation
information about the change(s) you notice.
(also called a woman’s period),
your breasts may feel painful, swollen, These are the breast changes I have noticed:
or tender. You may feel one or more
● My breast change looks or feels like this:
lumps during this time because of
(Is the lump hard or soft? Does your breast
extra fluid in your breasts.
feel tender or swollen? How big is the lump?
● During pregnancy your breasts may What color is the nipple discharge?)
feel lumpy. This is usually because
● This is where the breast change is:
the glands that produce milk are
(What part of the breast feels different? Do
increasing in number and getting
both breasts feel different or only one breast?)
larger.
● This is when I first noticed the breast change:
● As you approach menopause, your
hormone levels change. This can make ● Since then, this is the change I’ve noticed:
your breasts feel tender, even when (Has it stayed the same or changed?)
you are not having your period. Your
breasts may also feel lumpier during Share your personal medical history including,
menopause than they did before. for example,

● If you are taking hormones (such ● I’ve had these breast problems in the past:
as hormone replacement therapy, ● My last screening exam was on this date:
birth control pills, or injections),
your breasts may become more ● My last menstrual period started on this date:
dense. This can make a mammogram
● I currently: have breast implants, am
more difficult to interpret. Be sure
pregnant, am breastfeeding
to mention that you are taking
hormones when scheduling your
Share what you know about your family
mammogram appointment.
medical history including, for example,
● After menopause, your hormone
● These family members had these breast
levels drop. You may stop having
conditions:
lumps, pain, or nipple discharge.
● These family members have tested positive for
mutations related to breast cancer risk:

● These family members had breast cancer (at

these ages):

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Screening for Breast Cancer
Screening means checking for a disease such as breast cancer, or for changes that
may develop into disease, before there are signs or symptoms.
A screening mammogram can find signs of breast cancer and tumors that are too small to feel.
Breast cancer screening recommendations are developed by organizations such as the United
States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The USPSTF is a group of health experts
who review published research, look at the scientific quality of the evidence, and make
recommendations on health topics such as breast cancer screening.

USPSTF screening recommendations for most women

● Ages 40–74: Mammography screening is recommended every 2 years.

● Age 75 or older: The decision of whether to continue screening at age 75 and beyond is a
personal one to make after talking with your doctor or nurse.

These recommendations are for women who don’t

have signs or symptoms of breast cancer and are at Questions to ask
an average risk of developing breast cancer, as well
as those who have dense breasts or a family history
about breast
of breast cancer. cancer screening
Women who have a harmful change in a BRCA ● What is my risk of breast
gene, had radiation to the chest in the past, or had cancer, based on my personal
breast cancer in the past should talk with their and family medical history?
doctor about when to start screening and how to ● What screening test is
be screened. recommended for me
and how often should I be
Where to get screened screened?

If you don’t have a doctor, you can find a clinic

● At what age is screening no
longer needed or advised
near you that offers breast cancer screening by
for me, based on my current
contacting your state or local health department
health status?
or the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early
Detection Program (NBCCEDP) at www.cdc.gov/
cancer/nbccedp.

www.cancer.gov 4
 Screening mammogram
A screening mammogram is an x-ray of the breast that is used to find breast cancer. During
the procedure, your breast is pressed between two plastic plates. You will stand still for a few
seconds when the x-ray is being taken. Some discomfort is normal, but if it’s painful, tell the
mammography technician. The x-rays are sent to a radiologist, who studies them and sends
a radiology report to your doctor or nurse.

Depending on where you get your mammogram, you may get a 2-D mammogram or a
3-D mammogram.

● 2-D mammography takes pictures

from two different angles, the side
and above.

● 3-D mammography takes pictures

from many different angles. 3-D
mammography is also called
digital breast tomosynthesis.

Although 3-D mammography may

allow breast tissue to be seen more
clearly, it may involve a higher dose
of radiation. And it is not known
whether it is better than standard
2-D mammography at finding life-
threatening breast cancers early.

Learn more about guidelines for screening mammograms at www.cancer.gov/mammograms.

Breast cancer screening clinical trial: A cancer screening clinical trial, called TMIST
(Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial) is working to determine whether
3-D is better than 2-D at reducing the development of advanced breast cancer. The results
will help researchers develop individualized screening recommendations based on a woman’s
risk for breast cancer.

Vaccination and breast cancer screening

You may be advised to wait 4 to 6 weeks after getting some vaccines, such as the COVID-19
vaccine, before getting your routine screening mammogram. This is because certain vaccines
may cause temporary swelling of the lymph nodes in your armpit. This swelling may be
mistaken as a sign of breast cancer.

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Breast MRI
A breast MRI (also called magnetic
resonance imaging) uses a powerful
magnet, radio waves, and a computer
to take detailed pictures of areas
inside the breast. MRI is used
in addition to mammograms in
some women who have a high
risk of breast cancer. MRI is not
used alone because it doesn’t find
certain breast changes, such as
microcalcifications. And although
MRI has high sensitivity (it can
detect cancers that mammograms
may miss), it does not have high
specificity, which means it may give
false-positive test results.

Your doctor can help you understand how factors in your personal medical history and family
medical history may increase or decrease your risk for breast cancer.

“My doctor talked with me about where and

how often to get a mammogram, based on
the guidelines. It helped to have her explain
this information.”

www.cancer.gov 6
 Mammogram Findings
You should receive the results of your mammogram within 30 days. Be sure the mammography
facility has your current contact information. It’s helpful to get your mammogram at the same
facility each time, so your current mammogram can be compared with past mammograms.

● If your results were normal: Your

breast tissue shows no signs of a mass or
calcification.
Did you notice a
breast change after a
● If your results were abnormal: An abnormal
breast change was found. Although many recent mammogram?
breast changes found on a mammogram are
benign (not cancer), it’s important to get If you notice a breast change
the follow-up tests advised by your doctor or before you are due for your next
nurse. mammogram, call your doctor or
nurse. Sometimes breast cancer is
● If you don’t get your results: Call your diagnosed before you are due for your
doctor or nurse. next mammogram. Breast cancer that
develops between mammograms is
known as an interval breast cancer.

These breast cancers tend to be larger,

grow and spread more quickly, and
have a worse prognosis than breast
cancers that are found during a
screening mammogram.

“I was nervous when I had an abnormal

mammogram finding. I was relieved to
learn that most abnormal results are
not breast cancer.”

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What can a mammogram show?
Mammograms can show a mass (lump), calcifications, dense breast tissue, and other
changes in breast tissue. The radiologist will study the mammogram for changes that do
not look normal and for differences between your breasts. When possible, your most recent
mammogram will be compared with past mammograms to check for changes.

Normal Benign cyst Breast Breast

mammogram (not cancer) calcifications cancer

Mass (also called a lump): The size, shape, and edges of a lump give the radiologist
important information. A lump that is not cancer often looks smooth and round and has
clear, defined edges. Lumps that look like this are often cysts and are not cancer. However,
if the lump on the mammogram has a jagged outline, an irregular shape, or other unusual
features, it is of more concern and more tests may be needed.

Calcifications are deposits of calcium in the breast. They are too small to be felt but can be
seen on a mammogram. There are two types:

● Macrocalcifications look like small white dots on a mammogram. They are often caused by
aging, an old injury, or inflammation and are usually benign (not cancer).

● Microcalcifications look like white specks on a mammogram. If found in an area of rapidly

dividing cells or grouped together in a certain way, they may be a sign of DCIS or breast
cancer. Calcium in your diet does not cause breast calcifications.

Breast density is a description of the relative amounts of dense and fatty tissue on a
mammogram. Dense breasts, which have relatively less fat and relatively more glandular
tissue and connective tissue than fatty breast tissue, can make a mammogram more
difficult to interpret. That’s because both dense breast tissue and some abnormal breast
changes, such as calcifications and tumors, appear as white areas in the mammogram. As a
result, mammography is less sensitive in women with dense breasts—that is, it is more likely
to miss cancer. Women with dense breasts also have an increased risk of developing, but not
dying from, breast cancer.

Learn how having dense breast tissue may affect mammography and get answers to questions about
dense breasts at www.cancer.gov/DenseBreasts.

www.cancer.gov 8
 Understanding your
mammogram report Questions to ask
It’s important to understand your mammogram
about your
results. Don’t hesitate to call your doctor if you mammogram results
have questions about what your mammogram
letter means. Be sure you understand the ● What is my BI-RADS category?
findings and the recommended next steps you ● What do I need to do?
need to take.
● Do I need follow-up testing?
Mammogram reports use the Breast Imaging
Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) to
● When should I get my next
report findings, shown in the table below. mammogram?

Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS)

Category Finding (assessment) Recommended next steps

Additional imaging needed before a category

0 Need additional imaging evaluation
can be assigned

1 Negative Continue regular screening mammograms

2 Benign (not cancer) Continue regular screening mammograms

3 Probably benign Receive a 6-month follow-up mammogram

4 Suspicious abnormality May require biopsy

5 Highly suggestive of malignancy (cancer) Requires biopsy

Biopsy confirms presence of cancer before

6 Known biopsy-proven malignancy (cancer)
treatment begins

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Follow-Up Tests to Diagnose Breast
Conditions and Breast Cancer
The procedures and tests listed below may be recommended by your doctor or nurse to
diagnose a breast change that was found on a mammogram or that you or your doctor or
nurse felt. Keep in mind that fewer than 1 in 10 women who are called back for more testing
after a screening mammogram are found to have breast cancer.

Breast imaging procedures

Breast imaging procedures take detailed pictures of areas inside the breast. The results of the
breast imaging tests listed below, and the expertise of the radiologist interpreting your tests,
are important for an accurate diagnosis.

Diagnostic mammogram: A type of mammography in which more x-ray pictures of the

breast are taken from different angles to allow an area of the breast to be examined more
closely.

Ductography (also called a galactography): A procedure that takes pictures of the breast
ducts so that doctors can learn more about certain kinds of abnormal nipple discharge or a
breast mass. Pictures are taken using a contrast material that is given through an injection to
help breast ducts show up clearly.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breast: A procedure in which radio waves and
a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside
the breast. An MRI can help your doctor learn more about a breast mass or enlarged lymph
nodes that were found during a clinical breast exam but were not seen on a mammogram or
ultrasound.

Ultrasound of the breast: A procedure that that uses high-energy sound waves to look at
tissues and organs inside the body. The sound waves make echoes that form images (called a
sonogram) of the tissues and organs on a computer screen. These images can show if a breast
lump is solid or is filled with fluid.

Questions to ask before an Questions to ask

imaging test after an imaging test
● Why is this test needed? What will it tell us? ● What are the results of my test?
● What type of imaging test will I have? ● What do these findings mean?
● What happens during the procedure? ● What next steps should I take?
● How long will the procedure take?
● How long will the appointment take?

www.cancer.gov 10
 Breast biopsies and surgical procedures
A biopsy is a procedure to remove cells or tissue to be checked under a microscope, by a
pathologist, for signs of disease. When an imaging procedure shows an abnormal breast
change, a biopsy may be needed to make a definitive diagnosis. Some types of biopsies may
also be used as treatment.

Your doctor will talk with you about the type of biopsy, why it’s needed, and what to expect
during and after the procedure.

Needle biopsy: A procedure that removes cells, small tissue samples, or fluid so that it can be
examined under a microscope.

● A fine-needle aspiration biopsy uses a thin needle to drain fluid or to remove cells.

● A core needle biopsy (also called a core biopsy) uses a wide needle to remove small tissue
sample(s) that are about the size of a grain of rice.

● A vacuum-assisted core biopsy (also called a vacuum-assisted biopsy) is used to remove a

small sample of breast tissue with a probe that is connected to a vacuum device. The tiny
cut made in the breast is much smaller than with surgical biopsy.

Surgical biopsy: A procedure that removes breast tissue so that it can be examined under a
microscope.

● An incisional biopsy procedure removes a sample of breast tissue.

● An excisional biopsy procedure removes the entire lump or suspicious area.

● A wide local excision is used to cut out a tumor or other abnormal lesion and some normal
tissue around it.

Sometimes an imaging procedure is used to help a surgeon find and remove an abnormal
area during a biopsy. A stereotactic biopsy uses mammography; there are also ultrasound-
guided biopsies and MRI-guided biopsies.

Questions to ask before Questions to ask after

a biopsy the results of a biopsy
● Why is a biopsy needed? ● What are my biopsy results?
● What type of biopsy will I have? ● What do these findings mean?
● What happens during the biopsy? ● What next steps should I take?
● How long will the procedure take? ● Should I see a breast surgeon or
● How should I care for the area where I other specialist?
had the biopsy?
● When will I know the results?

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Commonly asked questions about breast procedures
Here are answers to commonly asked questions about tests and procedures:

Where are breast biopsy and other surgical procedures done?

Breast biopsies and surgical procedures are usually done in a doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital
on an outpatient basis. This means you will go home the same day as the procedure.

What are different types of anesthesia?

Anesthesia is the loss of feeling or awareness caused by drugs or other substances. It will be used
so you won’t feel pain during a breast procedure. Local anesthesia causes the loss of feeling in
a small area, so you’ll be awake but won’t feel pain during the procedure. Regional anesthesia
is used to cause a temporary loss of feeling in a region or part of the body. General anesthesia
causes you to be asleep during the procedure.

What happens during a wire localization procedure?

Wire localization (also called needle localization and needle/wire localization) is a procedure
used to mark a small area of abnormal tissue to be removed. An imaging device is used to guide
a thin wire with a hook at the end through a hollow needle to place the wire in or around the
abnormal area. Once the wire is in the right place, the needle is removed, and the wire is left in
place so the doctor will know where the abnormal tissue is. The wire is removed when a biopsy
is done.

What is a breast biopsy clip?

A breast biopsy clip (also called a breast biopsy marker) is a tiny metal object that is placed into
the breast during a biopsy to mark the area where the biopsy was done. The clip or marker is
left inside the breast to identify the area on future imaging exams or to help locate the site
in the event that breast cancer is diagnosed, and surgery is required. The clip does not cause
pain or harm and can stay in the breast. However, if the abnormal area is removed, the clip or
marker will often be removed as part of the surgery.

“I needed to have a second mammogram,

followed by an MRI and then a biopsy.
My doctor explained why I needed each
procedure and the results of each one.”

www.cancer.gov 12
 Benign Breast Conditions
Your doctor will use the findings from follow-up tests listed in the previous section to diagnose
most breast conditions. You and your doctor will receive a radiology report after an imaging
test such as a mammogram, MRI, or ultrasound or a pathology report after a biopsy. Most of
the benign (not cancer) breast conditions listed below are not related to and do not increase
your risk of breast cancer.

Adenosis: A breast condition in which there are

enlarged breast lobules that may cause small round Questions to ask
lumps or lumpiness. Or you may not feel anything at
all. It does not increase your risk of breast cancer. If
about a breast
the enlarged lobules have scar-like fibrous tissue, the condition
condition is called sclerosing adenosis, which is
explained on page 15. ● What is the name (and
spelling) of the breast
Breast duct ectasia (also called mammary condition that I have?
duct ectasia): A breast condition in which one ● Does this condition increase
or more breast ducts widens and thickens. This my risk of breast cancer?
can cause the duct to become blocked with fluid. ● Can you help me understand
It may sometimes cause whitish, greenish, or this risk and if it’s something
blackish nipple discharge, tender or darker nipples, to be concerned about?
or inverted nipples. If the blocked duct becomes
● What are the next steps?
infected, you may feel a lump under the nipple.
Breast duct ectasia is a benign breast condition that
● Does this condition go away
on its own? Does it need
is most common in women who are approaching or
monitoring or treatment?
have gone through menopause. It does not increase
your risk of breast cancer.

Cysts in the breast: Closed, saclike pockets of tissue that can form in the breast. Most
breast cysts are filled with fluid and called simple cysts. They may be painful just before your
menstrual period begins. You may be able to feel a cyst, although some are too small to be felt.
Most cysts are benign and do not increase your risk of breast cancer. Cysts are most common
in premenopausal women and in women taking menopausal hormone therapy.

Fat necrosis of the breast: A condition that causes round, firm, usually painless lumps. Fat
necrosis may appear after an injury to the breast, surgery, or radiation therapy. Skin around
the lump may look red, bruised, or dimpled. Fat necrosis is a benign condition that does not
increase your risk of breast cancer.

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Fibroadenoma: Benign breast tumors that often feel like hard, round lumps in the breast and
move easily. Fibroadenomas don’t usually hurt and may sometimes be too small to be felt.
Fibroadenomas are the most common benign breast tumors in women under 30 years old,
although they can be found at any age. These tumors may get larger when estrogen levels
increase (during pregnancy or with hormone replacement therapy) and smaller during
menopause. Most fibroadenomas are simple fibroadenomas and don’t increase your risk of
breast cancer. However, complex fibroadenomas are larger and may slightly increase your
risk of breast cancer.

Fibrocystic breast changes (also called fibrocystic breasts): A common breast condition
in which you may have breast swelling or discomfort, sensitive nipples, nipple discharge and
itching. You may also have a mass (also called lumps) or cysts. Symptoms often start before
or during your menstrual period. As many as half of all women notice fibrocystic breast
changes. It’s most common among women under the age of 45 and among women taking
hormone replacement therapy. Fibrocystic breast changes do not increase your risk of breast
cancer.

Granular cell tumor (also called Abrikossoff tumor): A rare type of soft tissue tumor that
may cause a firm lump. Granular cell tumors usually begin in Schwann cells (cells that hold
nerve cells in place) and can occur anywhere in the body, including the breasts. Very rarely,
granular cell tumors may be malignant (cancer) and spread to nearby tissue.

Hematoma of the breast: A pool of clotted or partially clotted blood under the skin of the
breast that may cause a lump, fever, and breast inflammation. Hematomas are usually caused
by a broken blood vessel after an injury or surgery to the breast. They can also occur without
injury in people taking aspirin or blood thinners. Hematomas do not increase your risk of
breast cancer.

Intraductal breast papilloma (also called intraductal papilloma): A breast condition that
causes wartlike growths in the breast duct.

● Single intraductal papillomas are usually close to the nipple and may cause a lump, pain,
and clear or bloody discharge. They do not increase your risk of breast cancer.

● Multiple intraductal papillomas may not be felt or cause nipple discharge. They are smaller
and often found farther away from the nipple than single intraductal breast papillomas.
Multiple intraductal papillomas may increase your risk of breast cancer.

Lipoma of the breast: A benign tumor made of fat cells. It’s usually a painless, single, soft
lump. Lipoma does not increase your risk of breast cancer.

Mastitis: A painful breast condition that is most common in women who are breastfeeding.
It’s caused when a breast duct (also called a milk duct) becomes blocked or infected. Your
breast may look red or darker and feel lumpy, warm, and tender. You may also have nipple
discharge and a fever or flu-like symptoms. Mastitis is usually diagnosed by your doctor, based
on your signs and symptoms.

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 Phyllodes tumor (also called cystosarcoma phyllodes of the breast or CSP): A rare type
of breast tumor that is usually painless. It starts in the connective tissue of the breast and
may grow quickly. These tumors grow in a leaf-life pattern and are named after the Greek
word “phyllodes,” which means leaf-like. Although most phyllodes tumors are benign (not
cancer), they may sometimes be malignant (cancer). Your risk of developing a phyllodes
tumor is higher if you have Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a rare, inherited disorder.

Radial scars (also called complex sclerosing lesions): A type of benign tissue that looks
like a scar when viewed under a microscope. Often, multiple lesions are seen in both breasts.
Radial scars cannot usually be felt and rarely cause symptoms. Radial scars may slightly
increase your risk of breast cancer.

Sclerosing adenosis of the breast: A condition that doesn’t usually cause symptoms,
although you may notice a small lump or breast pain. Scar-like fibrous tissue is found in the
breast lobules. Sclerosing adenosis may slightly increase your risk of breast cancer. Learn
more about complex sclerosing lesions, commonly called radial scars, above.

“I talked with my doctor to learn what

treatment she recommended for the benign
breast condition that I had.”

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Precancerous Breast Conditions
A precancerous condition is one that is not cancer but may become cancer. If you are
diagnosed with one of these conditions, you have a higher risk of breast cancer. The risk of
developing breast cancer is lower for ADH and ALH than for PLCIS and LCIS.

Atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH): A breast condition in which there are more cells than
usual in the breast ducts and the cells look atypical (abnormal) under a microscope. ADH
may increase your risk of breast cancer.

Atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH): A breast condition in which there are more cells than
usual in the breast lobules and these cells look atypical (abnormal) under a microscope. ALH
may increase your risk of breast cancer.

Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS): A breast condition in which abnormal cells are found in
the breast lobules. There are more abnormal cells in the breast lobules with LCIS than with
ALH. LCIS increases your risk of developing cancer in either breast.

Pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ (PLCIS): A breast condition in which abnormal

cells are found in the breast lobules. These cells are often larger and more abnormal than in
LCIS. PLCIS is more likely to become invasive breast cancer than LCIS. PLCIS occurs most
often in postmenopausal women.

“My doctor made the time to help me

understand my increased risk of breast
cancer and the pathology report after my
biopsy.”

www.cancer.gov 16
 Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a noninvasive breast
condition in which abnormal cells are found inside the
breast duct but have not spread outside it. DCIS is also
called intraductal breast carcinoma or stage 0 breast
carcinoma in situ.

Although the cells are abnormal, they are not considered

cancer because they do not have the ability to break
through the duct wall or spread in the body, which is
the definition of cancer. DCIS may sometimes become
invasive breast cancer and spread to other tissues.

Doctors diagnose some cases of DCIS as being at lower risk of becoming invasive than others.
However, since doctors don’t currently know for sure which cases of DCIS will become
invasive cancer and which ones won’t, DCIS is almost always treated. Because research is
ongoing and you have choices about treatment, it may be helpful to get a second opinion
and discuss your treatment options with more than one doctor.

Learn about treatment options in the DCIS section of www.cancer.gov/BreastTreatment.

DCIS and clinical trials: You and your doctor can find DCIS prevention and treatment
clinical trials near you by entering “DCIS” as a keyword in www.cancer.gov/trials.

Breast Cancer
Breast cancer (also called invasive breast cancer) is a disease in which cancer cells form in the
tissues of the breast. Breast cancer is not just one disease. There are different breast cancer
subtypes.

In breast cancer, cells grow and divide without control

and invade nearby breast tissue. Cancer cells may also
form a mass called a tumor and metastasize (spread) to
the lymph nodes or other parts of the body.

Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common type of

breast cancer.
Learn more about breast cancer, including treatment options,
at www.cancer.gov/types/breast.

17 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)
Talking with Your Doctor to Learn More
It can be stressful to receive an abnormal mammogram result or notice a breast change and
need follow-up testing. Here are tips to help you talk with your doctor or nurse, consider a
second opinion, and get answers to any breast health questions you may still have.

Meeting with your doctor or nurse

When you meet with your doctor or nurse, it’s important to get information that helps you
to understand your diagnosis and to make medical decisions. You may want to ask a friend or
family member to go with you to take notes and ask questions.

It’s important to ask your doctor or nurse to

● explain and write down medical terms, such as the name of a procedure, treatment, or
breast condition

● go over treatment options, if needed, for the breast condition that you have

● give you information to read or websites to visit, if you are interested in learning more

● refer you to a breast specialist for follow-up medical care and treatment if needed; you
can also call your insurance company for the names of specialists who participate with
your plan

Considering a second opinion

You may want to get a second opinion on the recommended treatment. Even highly
experienced doctors sometimes have different opinions. If you choose to get a second
opinion, you will need to get information on the diagnosis and treatment from the first
doctor to give to the second doctor.

A second opinion is especially helpful when

● the first opinion on the treatment comes from a doctor who doesn’t specialize in or
frequently treat the breast condition that you were diagnosed with

● there are complicated medical decisions that need to be made

● there are different treatment options to choose from

Considering a clinical trial

Clinical trials are being carried out to learn more about how to prevent, detect, and treat
breast conditions and breast cancer. You can call 1-800-4-CANCER to get help finding clinical
trials that are most relevant to you or a loved one.

You and your doctor can also find clinical trials by searching www.cancer.gov/trials.

www.cancer.gov 18
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from the National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education

NIH Publication No. 24-3536

August 2024