Male breast atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH): Clinicopathological insights from a rare cohort Journal Article


Authors: Al-Refai, R.; Ali, A.; Roychoudhury, S.; Bendari, A.; Sham, S.; Kantarovich, D.; Genco, I.; Jaffer, S.; Hajiyeva, S.
Article Title: Male breast atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH): Clinicopathological insights from a rare cohort
Abstract: Aims: Atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) in male breast tissue is a rare condition with limited understanding. We aimed to elucidate the clinicopathological characteristics of ADH in male patients, focusing on its prevalence, presentation, and associated factors. Methods and Results: We analysed 40 cases of ADH from 1626 male breast cases encountered between 2013 and 2023. Clinicopathological data were reviewed to identify key features and trends. The mean age of the patients in our cohort was 43 years. ADH was mainly discovered incidentally during the workup for gynecomastia in 85% (34/40) of cases. Only two cases, 5% (2/40), initially presented as a palpable mass; one was pure ADH and the other one an ADH with intraductal papilloma (IDP). Nipple discharge was the initial presentation in 7.5% (3/40) of cases, all of which were associated with IDP. Additionally, 5% (2/40) of cases were identified due to calcifications on imaging. Excision was the initial diagnostic procedure in 77.5% (31/40) of cases, and core needle biopsy (CNB) in 22.5% (9/40). In most patients 70% (28/40) had unilateral disease, while 84.4% (27/32) exhibited multifocal lesions, and 90.6% (29/32) showed cribriform architectural patterns. Notably, 77.3% (17/22) of patients had a history of medications linked to gynecomastia. During follow-up (9 months to 26 years), two patients developed ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Conclusion: ADH in male patients primarily presents incidentally alongside gynecomastia. Multifocality and cribriform patterns are common histological features. The association with medication-induced gynecomastia and the potential progression to DCIS highlight the clinical significance of ADH in males. © 2025 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Keywords: adolescent; adult; clinical article; human tissue; aged; middle aged; excision; young adult; prednisone; clinical feature; histopathology; follow up; diagnostic procedure; ovary cancer; cohort studies; breast cancer; breast; prevalence; cohort analysis; risk factors; pathology; risk factor; cancer hormone therapy; leuprorelin; patient care; mammography; family history; breast tumor; hyperplasia; needle biopsy; alcohol; tamoxifen; antihypertensive agent; incidental finding; epidemiology; alprazolam; venlafaxine; genetic screening; hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase inhibitor; gynecomastia; carcinoma, intraductal, noninfiltrating; breast discharge; male breast; breast neoplasms, male; gabapentin; breast papilloma; hyperprolactinemia; atypical ductal hyperplasia; breast calcification; cannabis; amiodarone; hypophysis adenoma; humans; human; male; article; ductal breast carcinoma in situ; atypical ductal epithelial hyperplasia; male breast atypical ductal hyperplasia
Journal Title: Histopathology
Volume: 86
Issue: 7
ISSN: 0309-0167
Publisher: Wiley Blackwell  
Date Published: 2025-06-01
Start Page: 1137
End Page: 1146
Language: English
DOI: 10.1111/his.15419
PUBMED: 39887441
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Source: Scopus
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