Misdiagnosis of Breast Pathology Can Be Reduced — but Not Eliminated — with a Second Opinion

Review by high-volume breast pathologists improved accuracy for diagnosing atypical hyperplasia and DCIS.

Interpreting breast pathology is notoriously difficult and lesions can be misclassified. Clinically significant discrepancies have been reported in >10% of breast biopsy cases, raising concerns about overtreatment and underdiagnosis. Whether or not a pathologist seeks a second opinion varies widely by individual and by institutional policy. In this simulation study, investigators grouped 240 breast biopsy specimens into four sets of slides and distributed them randomly to 115 pathologists for interpretation. Disease categories spanned a range including benign proliferative, atypia, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and invasive breast cancer. To identify the optimal scheme for improving diagnostic accuracy of breast biopsy cases, the authors…

Reviewing Author

Laila Samiian, MD

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAssociation of Women Surgeons (Member, Publications Committee)

Laila Samiian, MD

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAssociation of Women Surgeons (Member, Publications Committee)

Misdiagnosis of Breast Pathology Can Be Reduced — but Not Eliminated — with a Second Opinion

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Reviewing Author