What to Know About PASH

“We saw something on your mammogram and want to check it out.” The words every woman dreads to hear.

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But what if your physician tells you that your mammogram and follow-up breast biopsy shows pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia? What exactly does that mean?

“Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia is a long name that shouldn’t scare you,” says breast pathologist, Erinn Downs-Kelly, DO. “It’s a benign, non-cancerous finding.” Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia, referred to as “PASH” is a non-cancerous (benign) breast lesion that may (or may not) cause breast enlargement. PASH can sometimes be felt as a lump during a monthly self-breast exam, but is most often found during a routine mammogram. It can also be found during a biopsy for an unrelated breast condition.

PASH is not cancer and it doesn’t increase your risk for developing breast cancer in the future. One study found that some women with PASH actually had a lower risk of developing breast cancer than those without PASH.

Generally speaking, a lesion is a term used to describe anything abnormal. So when a radiologist sees a lesion on a mammogram, he or she flags it for follow-up, explains Downs-Kelly.

PASH is thought to have a hormonal link that can influence the size of the lesion. Most lesions that come to a doctor’s attention are between 1 and 3 centimeters. Most females with PASH are premenopausal or perimenopausal, meaning they are between the ages of 13 and 55. Other than being hormone related, the cause of PASH is unknown.

“When it comes to treatment, it’s really a personalized approach,” says Downs-Kelly. “It’s more tailored to the individual and the imaging findings.”

Sometimes no treatment is needed, other than follow-up imaging through your yearly mammogram. Some women may prefer to have the mass removed, especially if it’s causing symptoms ― or just making them worry. Recently, the American Society of Breast Surgeons has suggested that women without symptoms and with appropriate imaging results don’t need to have the mass removed.

The bottom line? PASH is found in up to 23% of breast specimens. And importantly, it’s not cancer.

If you find anything that feels different during your monthly self-breast exam, schedule an appointment with your doctor.