Ayyaswamy Thulasi1, William Premalatha Sharon Rose2, Dhanasekharan Uma3
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The breast is the essential symbol of womanhood to society and to the woman herself. Subjected every month to the
onslaught of ovarian, adrenal, pituitary and thyroid hormones in tandem with the uterus, the very histological architecture of
the breast changes sequentially. With the recent importance given to early diagnosis of cancer of the breast and its early
detection by both the patient and her physician, more benign conditions are likely to be detected than earlier. The objective
of our review is to find out the incidence of benign breast lump above 40 years of age in females attending our hospital.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
130 patients presenting to the outpatient department of KAPV Medical College with breast lump were included in this
comprehensive study.
A detailed history regarding the duration and nature of the complaints, family history pertaining to breast or ovarian
cancers, risk factors such as oral contraceptive use, parity, lactation, etc. was elicited. A thorough clinical examination was
performed.
RESULTS
Of 24 cases of fibroadenoma, all were operated upon by excision. Of 38 patients with fibroadenosis, 30 patients managed
conservatively and surgery for 8 patients where the diagnosis was doubtful. Abscesses were incised and drained under
antibiotic cover for 3 patients. 8 cases of breast cyst were managed by aspiration. TB mastitis was confirmed by excisional
biopsy and followed up by antituberculous therapy with regular follow up after 6 months. Healed lesions were found to be
associated with improved general condition of the patients. Lipoma and sebaceous cyst were managed by excision biopsy.
CONCLUSION
Benign breast diseases were found to be common in woman above 40 years old in contrast to normal teaching, which says
they are common in younger age groups. Fibroadenosis was the commonest benign disease closely followed by
fibroadenoma. Fibroadenosis was mostly managed conservatively. Excision biopsy was done for fibroadenoma, lipoma and
fat necrosis.
