Aberrations of Normal Development and Involution (ANDI): a New Perspective on Pathogenesis and Nomenclature of Benign Breast Disorders

A framework for understanding and management of benign breast disorders is presented, based on the notion that most breast complaints can be explained as minor aberrations of the normal processes of development, cyclical change, and involution. The generic term ANDI (aberrations of normal development and involution) is introduced to allow breast problems to be placed within an overall framework of pathogenesis; this concept also permits more detailed individual assessment with respect to normality and disease. Fibrocystic disease and its synonyms are discarded in favour of terms that are strictly descriptive of the clinical and/or histological picture.