Which statement is true about atypical ductal hyperplasia or lobular neoplasia?

• A. Atypical ductal hyperplasia or lobular neoplasia is a high-risk criterion
• B. It has no impact on risk assessment
• C. It is not used in risk assessment
• D. It is a benign condition with no risk implications

Answer: (A)

Atypical ductal hyperplasia and lobular neoplasia are considered high-risk lesions in breast pathology. They are not cancers themselves, but their presence on biopsy signals a substantially increased probability of developing breast cancer in the future. Because of this elevated risk, they are incorporated into risk assessments and guide management decisions, including closer imaging surveillance and consideration of risk-reducing strategies.

In practice, finding ADH or lobular neoplasia on a biopsy often prompts closer follow-up and discussion about chemoprevention, and sometimes an excisional biopsy is performed to exclude any occult cancer. Their status as high-risk findings is why this statement is true: these conditions carry risk implications and are used in risk assessment, rather than being benign with no impact.