Microglandular adenosis (MGA): Extremely rare variant of adenosis
Proliferation of ductules with single epithelial cell layer infiltrative pattern
Only benign epithelial lesion that lacks myoepithelial cell layer but retains basement membrane
May represent nonobligate precursor to triple-negative breast cancer
IMAGING
General Features
Mammographic Findings
Ultrasonographic Findings
MR Findings
Image-Guided Biopsy
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features
Microscopic Features
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Consider
Image Interpretation Pearls
Selected References
Bahl M et al: Pathologic outcomes of architectural distortion on digital 2D versus tomosynthesis mammography. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 209(5):1162-1167, 2017
Hicks and Lester: Diagnostic Pathology: Breast 2nd Edition. Philadelphia: Elsevier. 126-133, 2016
Visscher DW et al: Sclerosing adenosis and risk of breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 144(1):205-12, 2014
Eusebi V et al. Tumours of the nipple. In: Lakhani SR et al. WHO Classification of Tumours of the Breast. 4th Edition Lyon, France: IARC; 2012
Wen YH et al: Microglandular adenosis: a non-obligate precursor of triple-negative breast cancer? Histol Histopathol. Epub ahead of print, 2013
Shin SJ et al: Molecular evidence for progression of microglandular adenosis (MGA) to invasive carcinoma. Am J Surg Pathol. 33(4):496-504, 2009
Khalifeh IM et al: Clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical features of microglandular adenosis and transition into in situ and invasive carcinoma. Am J Surg Pathol. 32(4):544-52, 2008
Salarieh A et al: Breast carcinoma arising in microglandular adenosis: a review of the literature. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 131(9):1397-9, 2007
Bassett LW et al: Diagnosis of Diseases of the Breast. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders. 439-42, 2005
Guinebretière JM et al: Normal and pathological breast, the histological basis. Eur J Radiol. 54(1):6-14, 2005
Markopoulos C et al: Adenosis tumor of the breast. Breast J. 9(3):255-6, 2003
Gill HK et al: When is a diagnosis of sclerosing adenosis acceptable at core biopsy? Radiology. 228(1):50-7, 2003
Resetkova E et al: Ten-year follow-up of mammary carcinoma arising in microglandular adenosis treated with breast conservation. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 127(1):77-80, 2003
Günhan-Bilgen I et al: Sclerosing adenosis: mammographic and ultrasonographic findings with clinical and histopathological correlation. Eur J Radiol. 44(3):232-8, 2002
Sabaté JM et al: Microglandular adenosis of the breast in a BRCA1 mutation carrier: radiological features. Eur Radiol. 12(6):1479-82, 2002
Rosen PP: Rosen's Breast Pathology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 139-51, 2001
DiPiro PJ et al: Mammographic and sonographic appearances of nodular adenosis. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 175(1):31-4, 2000
Cyrlak D et al: Breast imaging case of the day. Florid sclerosing adenosis. Radiographics. 19(1):245-7, 1999
Jensen RA et al: Invasive breast cancer risk in women with sclerosing adenosis. Cancer. 64(10):1977-83, 1989
Rosen PP: Microglandular adenosis. A benign lesion simulating invasive mammary carcinoma. Am J Surg Pathol. 7(2):137-44, 1983
Related Anatomy
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References
Tables
Tables
KEY FACTS
Terminology
Imaging
Top Differential Diagnoses
Pathology
Clinical Issues
TERMINOLOGY
Synonyms
Nodular adenosis = tumoral adenosis
Definitions
Adenosis: Benign proliferation of lobular glandular elements with increased number of acini/ductules relative to surrounding tissue
Nodular subtypes form solid masses (nodular adenosis, adenosis tumor)
Part of spectrum of fibrocystic change, together with fibrosis and cysts
Microglandular adenosis (MGA): Extremely rare variant of adenosis
Proliferation of ductules with single epithelial cell layer infiltrative pattern
Only benign epithelial lesion that lacks myoepithelial cell layer but retains basement membrane
May represent nonobligate precursor to triple-negative breast cancer
IMAGING
General Features
Mammographic Findings
Ultrasonographic Findings
MR Findings
Image-Guided Biopsy
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features
Microscopic Features
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Consider
Image Interpretation Pearls
Selected References
Bahl M et al: Pathologic outcomes of architectural distortion on digital 2D versus tomosynthesis mammography. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 209(5):1162-1167, 2017
Hicks and Lester: Diagnostic Pathology: Breast 2nd Edition. Philadelphia: Elsevier. 126-133, 2016
Visscher DW et al: Sclerosing adenosis and risk of breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 144(1):205-12, 2014
Eusebi V et al. Tumours of the nipple. In: Lakhani SR et al. WHO Classification of Tumours of the Breast. 4th Edition Lyon, France: IARC; 2012
Wen YH et al: Microglandular adenosis: a non-obligate precursor of triple-negative breast cancer? Histol Histopathol. Epub ahead of print, 2013
Shin SJ et al: Molecular evidence for progression of microglandular adenosis (MGA) to invasive carcinoma. Am J Surg Pathol. 33(4):496-504, 2009
Khalifeh IM et al: Clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical features of microglandular adenosis and transition into in situ and invasive carcinoma. Am J Surg Pathol. 32(4):544-52, 2008
Salarieh A et al: Breast carcinoma arising in microglandular adenosis: a review of the literature. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 131(9):1397-9, 2007
Bassett LW et al: Diagnosis of Diseases of the Breast. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders. 439-42, 2005
Guinebretière JM et al: Normal and pathological breast, the histological basis. Eur J Radiol. 54(1):6-14, 2005
Markopoulos C et al: Adenosis tumor of the breast. Breast J. 9(3):255-6, 2003
Gill HK et al: When is a diagnosis of sclerosing adenosis acceptable at core biopsy? Radiology. 228(1):50-7, 2003
Resetkova E et al: Ten-year follow-up of mammary carcinoma arising in microglandular adenosis treated with breast conservation. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 127(1):77-80, 2003
Günhan-Bilgen I et al: Sclerosing adenosis: mammographic and ultrasonographic findings with clinical and histopathological correlation. Eur J Radiol. 44(3):232-8, 2002
Sabaté JM et al: Microglandular adenosis of the breast in a BRCA1 mutation carrier: radiological features. Eur Radiol. 12(6):1479-82, 2002
Rosen PP: Rosen's Breast Pathology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 139-51, 2001
DiPiro PJ et al: Mammographic and sonographic appearances of nodular adenosis. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 175(1):31-4, 2000
Cyrlak D et al: Breast imaging case of the day. Florid sclerosing adenosis. Radiographics. 19(1):245-7, 1999
Jensen RA et al: Invasive breast cancer risk in women with sclerosing adenosis. Cancer. 64(10):1977-83, 1989
Rosen PP: Microglandular adenosis. A benign lesion simulating invasive mammary carcinoma. Am J Surg Pathol. 7(2):137-44, 1983
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