Columnar Cell change with Hyperplasia

alami

Hello Everyone,

To give a brief background - I had my first mammo recently and came back with BIRADS-3. The radiologist wanted to wait and watch but I insisted on a biopsy to ease my anxiety. Results came back with fibrocystic changes. The one that causes me a lot of anxiety (even after the biopsy) is the Columnar Cell Hyperplasia. From whatever I read, that could turn atypical which is precancer. My surgeon recommended I go back to annual ammo as there is nothing to worry about. But I am constantly worried about this. Can someone help me with any insights they might have? Did/Does anyone have this change?

MelissaDallas

I’d believe the breast surgeon.

Moderators

Hi alami,

We're sorry you're here and worrying. As MelissaDallas suggests, your surgeon is well-versed in this area and their recommendation should be followed. Please keep us posted after your next follow-up! Naturally, you can always seek a second opinion for peace of mind.

--The Mods

needsglasses

I’m sorry you’re feeling anxious about this. I had a similar diagnosis wayyyy back in 2007. Mine was a microlobulated solid mass, so it was excised after core biopsy as it looked like cancer on imaging. It came back as CCL (blunt duct adenosis and sclerosing adenosis). I was just sure it was going to recur. But here I am, 13 years later, and that spot is still clear as a bell.

CCL can indicate a very very slightly increased cancer risk, but it’s a tiny increase. The only reason I’m checking this board now is to decide whether to enter my hospital’s high risk screening program (now that I’m 45). But the reason they’re recommending it to me is because of my breast density and family history, not the CCL.

Going back to mammography sounds like a prudent option. They’ll know where the CCL was and keep an eye on that area for any changes. Which are very unlikely!

Beesie

Sorry that having the biopsy didn't ease your mind, but seems to have had the opposite effect. You should listen to your surgeon, who is the expert, not an interpretation of what you've read on Dr. Google.

"that could turn atypical which is precancer"

Atypical conditions are not pre-cancers. They are conditions that increase breast cancer risk; some such as ADH and ALH are considered high risk conditions. For example, approx. 25% of women with ADH eventually develop cancer, with many of those developing DCIS, which is considered to be either a pre-cancer or non-invasive cancer. So with hyperplasia without atypia, you are several steps away from having an invasive cancer.

There are dozens of benign breast conditions. About 60% of women have fibrocystic breasts. I would guess that everyone one of them - 60% of women - would be found to have some benign abnormality, as you do, if they were to have a biopsy. Most are harmless and either present no increase in risk or only a very small increase in risk, requiring no further action.

alami

Thank you to all of you for taking your time to respond to my query. Your responses have been very helpful to say the least.