Breast diseases associated with systemic medical disorders

Benign breast lesions are associated with a wide range of systemic medical conditions. These lesions can have features that are clinically and radiologically suspicious for carcinoma. However, with the exception of diabetes mellitus-associated breast disease, these lesions are rare and the general histopathologist is unlikely to encounter them regularly.This review examines the most common benign breast lesions associated with systemic medical disorders and drugs, including the typical clinical and radiological findings, pathogenesis, and macroscopic and microscopic findings. The specific features and immunohistochemical techniques helpful in differentiating benign disease from carcinoma will be discussed and illustrated using examples from our own practice.