← Return to Pathology reports differ: ADH on biopsy but no ADH after lumpectomy

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@bd2486

I have been diagnosed with ADH after biopsy and my doctor recommended removal of the affected tissue (she called it a tumor) and advised they needed to make sure there wasn’t anything in the rest of the tissue or the surrounding tissue. It’s my understanding that if they found nothing then the after report should say no atypical hyperplasia.
After researching this recommendation, a very small percentage of women with this diagnosis get cancer. I have no risk factors as in family history, and this can be dealt with in preventative measures such as regular mammograms and meds to decrease estrogen production. I’m getting a second opinion, but leaning toward the preventative option. Any input appreciated.

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Replies to "I have been diagnosed with ADH after biopsy and my doctor recommended removal of the affected..."

Just saw this. I had a very challenging experience w/ a potential mis-dx of DCIS with overtreatment consequences. I won't go into details here, but I highly recommend you check out David Page (if he's not retired yet) from Vanderbilt, who's an expert on something called "florid hyperplasia" and how it's distinct from ADH and DCIS. Of course, these concepts and tx recommendations change by the decade, if not sooner--but trust me. Radiologist from the TOP institutions in the US can disagree about how to "read" DCIS biopsy results--and they can disagree on ADH. AI-enabled radiology is changing this.

ADH at least at present is seen as a risk factor for future invasive or inflammatory breast cancer and so watchful waiting is important. Whether you're willing to go through the challenges of radiation and/or hormonal therapy--well, that's beyond my commentary.

The breast cancer treatment "system" can IMO tend to distort patients' and families decision-making--once dx, you've got this entire culture of dx, typologies, support groups, surgical and pharmaceutical regimens, all in an environment of intensified fear w/ relative and absolute risk. Barring inflammatory breast cancer or highly symptomatic BC w/ mets, I've found it's important to get mentally far away from the system for a little bit--just a week?--and focus on nature, life, love, the minutaie and big goals--to assess whether the treatment plans of the "system" are what one really wants.

I don't think the people working w/in this are ill-intended, but many organizational and industry forces kind of come together to put patients at risk of over-treatment. When it comes to lower risk conditions like ADH, DCIS, BRCA-positive status, etc., it's all the more important that we step back and breathe space around the situation to ensure we're making decisions that are best for our quality of life. God bless.