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Columnar cell lesions, mammographic density and breast cancer risk

  • Preclinical Study
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Abstract

Background Mammographic density is the third largest risk factor for ductal carcinoma in-situ (DCIS) and invasive breast cancer. However, the question of whether risk-mediating precursor histological changes, such as columnar cell lesions (CCLs), can be found in dense but non-malignant breast tissues has not been systematically addressed. We hypothesized that CCLs may be related to breast composition, in particular breast density, in non-tumour containing breast tissue. Patients and methods We examined randomly selected tissue samples obtained by bilateral subcutaneous mastectomy from a forensic autopsy series, where tissue composition was assessed, and in which there had been no selection of subjects or histological specimens for breast disease. We reviewed H&E slides for the presence of atypical and non-atypical CCLs and correlated with histological features measured using quantitative microscopy. Results CCLs were seen in 40 out of 236 cases (17%). The presence of CCLs was found to be associated with several measures of breast tissue composition, including radiographic density: high Faxitron Wolfe Density (P = 0.037), high density estimated by percentage non-adipose tissue area (P = 0.037), high percentage collagen (P = 9.2E−05) and high percentage glandular area (P = 2E−05). DCIS was identified in two atypical CCL cases. The extent of CCL was not associated with any of the examined variables. Conclusion Our study is the first to report a possible association between CCLs and breast tissue composition, including mammographic density. Our data suggest that prospective elucidation of the strength and nature of the clinicopathological correlation may lead to an enhanced understanding of mammographic density and evidence based management strategies.

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Abbreviations

ADH:

Atypical ductal hyperplasia

ALH:

Atypical lobular hyperplasia

BMI:

Body mass index

CCC:

Columnar cell change

CCH:

Columnar cell hyperplasia

CCL:

Columnar cell lesion

DCIS:

Ductal carcinoma in-situ

DIN1a, DIN1b:

Ductal intraepithelial neoplasia 1b, 1a

ER:

Estrogen receptor

MD:

Mammographic density

TDLU:

Terminal duct lobular unit

UDH:

Usual ductal hyperplasia

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Acknowledgments

We thank the generous assistance of Dr. Sue Bartow in providing access to the material on which this study was based. S. Aparicio is supported by Canada Research Chair in Molecular Oncology. G. Turashvili is supported by the CIHR Training Program for Clinician Scientists in Molecular Oncologic Pathology (STP-53912).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Molecular Oncology and Breast Cancer Program, BC Cancer Research Centre, 675 W 10th Avenue, Vancouver, Canada, V5Z 1L3

    Gulisa Turashvili, Steven McKinney, Karen A. Gelmon, Peter Watson & Samuel Aparicio

  2. Campbell Family Institute of Breast Cancer Research, Ontario Cancer Institute, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Canada, M5G 2M9

    Lisa Martin & Norman Boyd

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  1. Gulisa Turashvili
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  2. Steven McKinney
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Correspondence to Samuel Aparicio.

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Turashvili, G., McKinney, S., Martin, L. et al. Columnar cell lesions, mammographic density and breast cancer risk. Breast Cancer Res Treat 115, 561–571 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-008-0099-x

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