Biopsy Interpretation of the Breast

by Stuart J Schnitt, Laura C. Collins MD

Overview

A practical guide for the diagnostic surgical pathologist, this new edition of Biopsy Interpretation of the Breast presents the diverse spectrum of pathologic alterations that occur in the breast in a manner analogous to that in which they are encountered in daily practice. Lesions are grouped together according to their histologic patterns rather than by the traditional benign-malignant categorization in order to simulate the way pathologists face these lesions as they examine microscopic slides on a daily basis. The role of adjunctive studies in solving diagnostic problems in breast pathology is emphasized where appropriate.
In addition, the clinical significance and impact on patient management of the various diagnoses are discussed and key clinical and management points highlighted.

Features include:"
· Lesions grouped by histologic patterns to simulate real-world experience
· Many sections updated to reflect the most recent advances in the field
· More than 550 color images, including over 100 new images, highlight key pathologic features and streamline visual diagnosis
· Bulleted tables summarize key diagnostic features of various lesions
· A concise, convenient format that serves as a practical reference and diagnostic guide for pathologists

Included with the companion web site:"
· Fully searchable text
· More than 300 full-color images
· Test bank that is ideal for board exam preparation

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781975183929
Publisher:	LWW
Publication date:	06/23/2025
Series:	Biopsy Interpretation Series
Edition description:	Fourth
Pages:	632
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 1.50(h) x 9.50(d)

Table of Contents

Preface to the First Edition v

Preface to the Second Edition vii

Acknowledgments ix

1 Normal Anatomy and Histology 1

2 Reactive, Inflammatory, and Nonproliferative Lesions 25

3 Intraductal Proliferative Lesions: Usual Ductal Hyperplasia, Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia, and Ductal Carcinoma In Situ 58

4 Columnar Cell Lesions and Flat Epithelial Atypia 107

5 Lobular Carcinoma In Situ and Atypical Lobular Hyperplasia 136

6 Fibroepithelial Lesions 171

7 Adenosis and Sclerosing Lesions 202

8 Papillary Lesions 228

9 Microinvasive Carcinoma 267

10 Invasive Breast Cancer 282

11 Spindle Cell Lesions 363

12 Vascular Lesions 387

13 Other Mesenchymal Lesions 408

14 Miscellaneous Rare Lesions 419

15 Nipple Disorders 429

16 Male Breast Lesions 451

17 Breast Lesions in Children and Adolescents 462

18 Axillary Lymph Nodes 471

19 Treatment Effects 493

20 Specimen Processing, Evaluation, and Reporting 507

Index 527

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Lamis A Shatat, MBBS (University of Kansas Medical Center)
Description: This is one of the best pathology books I have ever read! It goes over benign, premalignant, and malignant breast diseases in a very systematic, enjoyable, and easy flowing manner. This is an update of a 2009 edition.
Purpose: This is intended as a concise, practical, benchside guide to the diagnostic surgical pathology of breast disease, rather than as a substitute for the comprehensive breast pathology textbooks already available. This is exactly what the book is — an excellent breast biopsy interpretation guide.
Audience: It is designed for pathologists and pathologists-in training. As a pathology resident, I learned a lot about breast pathology from it, and I quite often see my attending pathologists consult it as a quick, reliable reference. Both authors are well known in the field of breast pathology, and Dr. Schnitt is one of the editors of WHO Classification of Tumours of the Breast, 4th edition, Lakhani et al. (World Health Organization, 2012) (the blue book). The presentation feels like the authors have worked closely with trainees and anticipate the difficult areas, so they cover those thoroughly.
Features: Starting with normal anatomy and histology, including normal variations, it goes through reactive nonproliferative processes, proliferative lesions, nipple, papillary, and columnar cell lesions, and in situ and invasive carcinomas. It covers mesenchymal lesions as well as male and child breast pathology. Conveniently, it also describes treatment effect on the breast, axillary lymph node examination, and breast specimens processing and reporting. What is unique about this book is that it approaches breast biopsy interpretation in a pattern recognition way, just like pathologists do in everyday sign-out. It defines entities and works through diagnosis and differential diagnosis with sound reasoning and in a clear fashion. Even the complex lesions, like papillary proliferative lesions, are described in a simple, coherent, yet complete way. Another helpful feature is that in the less agreed upon diagnostic criteria, the authors briefly go over different opinions and conclude with what they personally do in their own practice! The material is presented in a well-organized format, using plenty of representative photomicrographs and many well-placed tables and algorithms. As a biopsy interpretation book, it touches only briefly on molecular biology of breast disease and covers variants of breast carcinoma quickly, but, as stated by the authors, this book won't substitute for the comprehensive breast pathology books already out there.
Assessment: This is a superb book in a field which almost all pathologists need to be quite familiar with. It has the knowledge and the approach pathologists need for day-to-day practice. The second edition, with over 100 new images, comes right after the updated WHO classification of breast tumors and incorporates all the changes embraced by the World Health Organization.

Doody's Review Service