Biochemical subgrouping of benign breast disease to define premalignant potential.

To determine which subgroups of benign breast disease are likely to progress to malignant degeneration, a biochemical analysis of 3'5' cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) was run on several samples of breast tissue. cAMP is elevated in a progressive fashion from normal breast tissue to fibrosis, cystic mastitis, ductular hyperplasias, and finally to carcinoma. Correlation of cAMP levels in breast lesions with histopathologic grading of increasing epithelial proliferation confirmed the concept that there are subgroups within those lesions that have greater malignant potential. Benign breast lesions with significantly higher cAMP levels, although still lower than those of cancer, must be considered at higher risk for eventual malignant change.