Apocrine metaplasia is the transformation of epithelial cells into apocrine-like cells, often found in the breast.
Understanding Apocrine Metaplasia
Apocrine metaplasia is a change (metaplasia) where normal epithelial cells transform into cells resembling apocrine or sweat gland cells. This is most commonly encountered in the breast.
Occurrence
- Location: It often occurs in the peripheral parenchyma (functional tissue) of the breast.
- Prevalence: More common in premenopausal women.
- Association: Frequently associated with gross cysts in fibrocystic breast disease, a common benign breast condition. According to the provided context, it is related to fibrocystic breast disease, "the most common non-..." (the sentence is incomplete).
Significance
While apocrine metaplasia itself is usually benign, its presence can sometimes be associated with other breast conditions. It's important to note that further investigation might be necessary to rule out any underlying concerns.
