Table 1 Diagnostic criteria for columnar cell lesions used in the present study
Columnar cell change | Columnar cell hyperplasia | Columnar cell change with atypia | Columnar cell hyperplasia with atypia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Flat epithelial atypia | ||||
Topography | Terminal duct-lobular unit with variable dilation | Terminal duct-lobular unit with variable dilation | Terminal duct-lobular unit with variable dilation | Terminal duct-lobular unit with variable dilation |
Architecture | 1 or 2 cell layers | Cell stratification greater than 2 layers, complex cellular configurations are not present | 1 or 2 cell layers | Cellular stratification of more than 2 layers, complex cell configurations are not present |
Cytology | Columnar cells with ovoid to elongated nuclei orientated perpendicular to the basal membrane; nucleolus absent or inconspicuous. | Columnar cells with ovoid to elongated nuclei orientated perpendicular to the basal membrane; “hobnail” cells might appear with absent or inconspicuous nuclei. | Cytological atypia present (usually low-grade); the cells resemble tubular carcinoma. Mitoses are uncommon. | Cytological atypia present (usually low-grade); the cells resemble tubular carcinoma. Mitoses are uncommon. |
Apical decapitation | Often present, not usually prominent. | Often present, might be exaggerated. | Often present, might be exaggerated. | Often present, might be exaggerated. |
Intraluminal secretions | Might be present but are not usually prominent. | Might be present and prominent. | Might be present and prominent. | Might be present and prominent. |
Calcifications | Might be present | Usually present, might be psammomatous. | Usually present, might be psammomatous. | Usually present, might be psammomatous. |