Biomarkers in Benign Breast Disease: Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

Extract

Benign breast diseases are both common and heterogeneous. Some types (usual and atypical hyperplasias) are weak but wellestablished risk factors (1) and probably precursors for breast cancer (2). Other types (e.g., sclerosing adenosis, papillomas, and fibroadenomas) also may be associated with a slightly elevated risk, although the evidence is less compelling (3ߝ5). These benign lesions are defined by their histologic features, which are insufficient to distinguish breast tissue destined to develop cancer.

An article by Rohan et al. (6) in this issue of the Journal describes an interesting study that evaluates the abilities of certain biomarkers to better discriminate risk in patients with benign breast disease. Using a nested case-control study design based on the Canadian National Breast Screening Study (NBSS), Rohan et al. evaluated p53 and c-erbB-2 abnormalities by immunohistochemistry in benign breast tissue of patients who later developed breast cancer (cases; n471) compared with matched patients who did not (controls: n = 291 for c-erbB-2; n = 288 for p53).