The Pathologic Spectrum of Pregnancy- and Lactation–Associated Breast Lesions

Accurate diagnosis of pregnant and lactating patients with breast lesions requires clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic correlation. Careful examination of biopsy cores and maintaining a high index of suspicion, even without clear radiologic findings, are essential for identifying atypia. When significant acute mastitis and overlapping secretory/lactational changes complicate the characterization of atypia, requesting additional tissue, using appropriate immunohistochemical stains, or deferring to excisional biopsy is appropriate. Awareness of these entities, given their varied prognoses and the sociopsychological challenges of postpartum and lactation, is crucial for guiding effective management.