Practical Breast Pathology

Jul 8, 2002

Practical Breast Pathology by Tibor Tot, László Tabár, and Peter B. Dean
Thieme, New York, 2002, $99.

Practical Breast Pathology clearly and concisely introduces the specific vocabulary of the pathologist to radiologists, surgeons, oncologists and other breast disease specialists.

The book begins with a description of normal breast structure, correlated with mammographic patterns. Distortion and destruction of normal structures are presented step-by-step. Significance of size, extent, distribution and location of the lesions is explained well. Hyperplastic changes (with and without atypia), and amorphous microcalcifications are detailed and illustrated.

Special chapters are dedicated to ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), invasive breast carcinoma, and benign lesions. The diagnostic criteria of DCIS is completely detailed and illustrated. Diagnostic criteria and differential diagnosis of tubular carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, invasive lobular carcinoma are thoroughly discussed. Benign lesions (fibroadenoma, phylloides tumor, papilloma, adenosis, radial scar) are highlighted with mammographic images.

The role of fine-needle aspiration biopsy in verifying a malignancy, and of core-needle biopsy in establishing definitive preoperative diagnosis, is clearly demonstrated. The preoperative diagnostic algorithm in case of round/oval densities, stellate lesions or microcalcifications found on the mammogram is thoroughly explained in a special chapter.

The book does have some weak points. Information on the technique for processing large histologic sections is unnecessary as the technique itself is not important for radiologists or surgeons. There also are a few histopathological terms -- such as syncitial and psammoma-body -- that are used but never defined.

The abundant illustrations in this book are superb and, on the whole, the explanations of breast pathology are clear and unhampered by the details (stain, magnification) that are only vital to pathologists. Practical Breast Pathology is easy to understand and a pleasure to read.

By Dr. Ana Roxana Covali
AuntMinnie.com contributing writer
July 9, 2002
Dr. Covali serves as a junior radiologist at the Elena Doamna Obstetrics and Gynecology University Hospital in Iasi, Romania. She also is a teaching assistant in the histology department at Gr T Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iasi. Dr. Covali is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in histology at Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest.

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