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Fibroepithelial Lesions of the Breast

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Practical Atlas of Breast Pathology

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Abstract

Fibroepithelial lesions of the breast are a group of biphasic neoplasms, lesions characterized by proliferation of both mesenchymal and epithelial elements. On the whole, these lesions constitute one of the most commonly encountered neoplasms in routine practice and span the spectrum of biological significance from benign to malignant. Prototypic examples of these neoplasms include the fibroadenoma (FA) and phyllodes tumor (PT), with the phyllodes tumor requiring further subtyping into benign, borderline/intermediate, and malignant in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations [1]. These specific lesions within this group have diverse clinical behavior, natural history, and therapeutic implications, despite showing considerable morphologic overlap at times. Since many of the initial diagnoses are rendered in core biopsies, this can potentially compound a diagnostic challenge, and clinical-pathological correlation is imperative. Here, we present a review of fibroepithelial lesions with an emphasis on morphology and distinguishing features. Hamartomas, also considered a fibroepithelial lesion, is discussed below under the differential diagnosis section of fibroadenoma.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Danielle Fortuna MD

  2. Department of Pathology, St. Luke’s University Health Network, Bethlehem, PA, USA

    Adam Toll MD

  3. Department of Pathology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Juan P. Palazzo MD

Authors
  1. Danielle Fortuna MD
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  2. Adam Toll MD
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  3. Juan P. Palazzo MD
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Correspondence to Juan P. Palazzo MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania

    Simona Stolnicu

  2. Department of Pathology, Hospital de Oncologia, Centro Medico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico

    Isabel Alvarado-Cabrero

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Fortuna, D., Toll, A., Palazzo, J.P. (2018). Fibroepithelial Lesions of the Breast. In: Stolnicu, S., Alvarado-Cabrero, I. (eds) Practical Atlas of Breast Pathology . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93257-6_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93257-6_9

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-93257-6

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