Open AccessManagement of Breast Fibroadenomas
Author(s) -
Greenberg Ron,
Skornick Yehuda,
Kaplan Ofer
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of general internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.746
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 1525-1497
pISSN - 0884-8734
DOI - 10.1046/j.1525-1497.1998.cr188.x
Subject(s) - medicine , fibroadenoma , breast cancer , conservative management , physical examination , natural history , general surgery , gynecology , radiology , cancer , surgery
OBJECTIVE: To identify from the literature and clinical experience a rational approach to management of fibroadenomas of the breast. METHOD: Recent literature on detection, diagnosis, and natural history of fibroadenomas was reviewed. Experience with over 4,000 women evaluated in the breast clinic at the Tel‐ Aviv Medical Center contributed to the management strategies suggested by review of the literature. RESULTS: Fibroadenomas of the breast are common, accounting for 50% of all breast biopsies performed. Physical examination, sonography, and fine needle aspiration are effective in distinguishing fibroadenomas from breast cancer. Transformation from fibroadenoma to cancer is rare; regression or resolution is frequent, supporting conservative approaches to follow‐up and management. CONCLUSION: Age‐based algorithms that allow for conservative management and that limit excision to patients whose fibroadenomas fail to regress are presented.