Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
On behalf of the NHS Breast Screening Programme Pathology Coordinating Group we present recommendations for terminology and diagnostic criteria for a number of key areas of practice in breast pathology where terminology can be confusing and where accurate communication will ensure appropriate clinical management. These recommendations cover columnar cell lesions and the spectrum of changes that can be seen in these epithelial proliferations, lobular neoplasia, micrometastases and isolated tumour cells in axillary lymph nodes, the use of basal/myoepithelial markers in diagnostic practice and oestrogen receptor testing in ductal carcinoma in situ.
Introduction
The research subgroup of the NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) Pathology Coordinating Group have compiled overviews and recommendations for topics that were either not considered or had minimal discussion in NHSBSP publication number 58 Pathology Reporting of Breast Disease. These will be included as appendices in the pending revision of the non-operative reporting guidelines. In conjunction with NEQAS the HER2 reporting guidelines have been updated and published:Walker RA, Bartlett JM, Dowsett M, et al. HER2 testing in the UK: further update to recommendations. J Clin Pathol 2008;61:818–24.
These topics are emerging issues in diagnostic breast pathology and are presented below as a series of short monographs.