Benign Breast Disease in Women

Background: Most clinical breast changes in women are benign; in only 3% to 6% of cases are they due to breast cancer. However, there is a lack of up-to-date, evidence-based treatment recommendations for the various benign differential diagnoses. Methods: Selective literature search of PubMed from 1985 to May 2019, including current national (AWMF. Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellscheften [Association of Scientific Medical Societies in Germany]) and international guidelines. Results: Mastalgia and fibrocystic changes are common (around 50% of all women over the age of 30). Fibroadenomas occur in 25% of women: they are the most common benign tumors of the breast and do not require treatment. With most benign breast changes the risk of dedifferentiation is very low. However, it is important in the differential diagnosis to distinguish between such benign changes and breast cancer or changes that carry a risk of malignancy. Complex cysts, for example. carry a risk of malignancy of 23% to 31%, papillary lesions 16%, and radial scars 7%. Where there is doubt, histological confirmation should be sought by means of percutaneous biopsy. Conclusion: Benign breast changes can be definitively distinguished from malignant lesions through the selective use of available diagnostic investigations and interdisciplinary collaboration. When lesions of uncertain malignant potential are found (B3 in the biopsy classification), complete excision is indicated. Prospective studies on the early diagnosis of breast cancer in lesions carrying a risk of malignancy are desirable.