Pathologic findings in breast reduction specimens: detection of occult premalignant and cancerous lesions.

[BACKGROUND] As reduction mammaplasty has become one of the most popular reconstructive procedures, there is an increasing number of reports regarding histopathologic findings in breast tissue yielded by the procedure.

[PATIENTS AND METHODS] This study evaluates histopathologic findings in breast tissue removed during reduction mammaplasty procedures performed during a 40-month period (2008-2011), and includes 300 patients of which 258 underwent bilateral breast reduction (group B) and 42 unilateral reduction for symmetry to the contralateral reconstructed breast (group U).

[RESULTS] Occult carcinomas were detected in 4 (1.55%) group B patients and 1 (2.38%) group U patient. Atypical hyperplasia and intraductal papillomas were identified in 22 (8.6%) and 5 (11.9%) patients, respectively. Benign pathologic changes including typical mild ductal hyperplasia, fibrocystic disease, adenosis, fibroadenoma, and lobular atrophy were identified in 174 (67.44%) group B and 26 (61.9%) group U patients.

[CONCLUSION] Breast carcinomas are rarely detected in breast tissue yielded by reduction mammaplasty procedures due to routinely performed preoperative assessment including clinical examination and mammograms. Pathologic examination of specimens provides the clinician with a conclusive diagnosis allowing for possible prompt further management.