Mucin extravasation in breast core biopsies – clinical significance and outcome correlation

Abstract

ME and MLL on core biopsy warrant close radiological-pathological correlation. When the entire radiological abnormality has been removed with large core mammotome biopsy specimens, surgery may potentially be avoided in histologically benign lesions, although such an approach requires further validation.

Benign mucocele-like lesions of the breast: revisited

“…Thus, this group recommended excision of all benign mucocele-like lesions, particularly if they presented as a mass. Similarly, in the most recent study of mucocele-like lesions by Begum et al, 9 two out of 39 cases of benign mucocele-like lesions were upstaged; one was upstaged to colloid carcinoma and had been composed of acellular mucin pools on core biopsy, whereas the other case's excision showed atypical duct hyperplasia. Based on this study, the authors felt that if the entire radiological lesion was completely removed by a large core biopsy, particularly calcifications, surgery could be avoided.…”

“…Based on their findings, the latter group has questioned the necessity of excising benign mucocele-like lesion diagnosed on core needle biopsy. With the exception of two recent series, 8,9 none showed malignancy on excision, further justifying this practice. The goal of this study was to evaluate our experience and follow-up of benign mucocele-like lesions diagnosed on core needle biopsy.…”

“…[4][5][6][7][8][9] Four of the six series 4,6,8,9 showed atypia on excision, whereas two others showed no change between the core needle biopsy and excision findings of benign mucocele-like lesion. Based on their findings, the latter group has questioned the necessity of excising benign mucocele-like lesion diagnosed on core needle biopsy.…”

Mucocele-like lesions of the breast: a long-term follow-up study

“…Subsequent reports have shown an association with CCL, ADH, DCIS and mucinous carcinoma and suggested that MLL and mucinous carcinoma may represent two ends of the pathological spectrum of mucinous lesions of the breast [2-5]. CCL were defined as enlarged terminal duct lobular units with variably dilated acini, secretion, apical snouts and varying degree of cytological atypia [9], and a frequent association with MLL has been reported [5].…”

“…MLL was defined as mucin-containing cysts lined by flat or low-cuboidal epithelium, with extravasated mucin into the surrounding stroma. The term MLL does not imply the nature of the accompanying epithelial alterations, which ranges from benign changes to columnar cell lesions (CCL), atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or mucinous carcinoma [2-5]. Although the main focus of the study, to date, has been whether core biopsy reliably can diagnose MLL [5-8], there is only one report with a long-term follow-up after excision of MLL [2].…”