Benign Breast Disease in Women

Benign breast disease in women is a very common finding and results in a diagnosis in approximately one million women annually in the United States (1). An understanding of the hormonal and growth factor control of breast development and function is key to the rational and systematic evaluation and treatment of patients. A firm understanding of benign breast disease is important since sequential steps are necessary to distinguish lesions which impart a high risk of subsequent breast cancer from those which do not. This chapter will review the physiology of breast function, provide histologic examples of common lesions, and detail practical approaches to evaluation and treatment. For complete coverage of all related areas of Endocrinology, please see our online FREE web-book, www.endotext.org .