Management of breast fibroadenomas.
OBJECTIVE
To identify from the literature and clinical experience a rational approach to management of fibroadenomas of the breast.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Age-based algorithms that allow for conservative management and that limit excision to patients whose fibroadenomas fail to regress are presented.
Greenberg
R
R
Department of Surgery A, Tel-Aviv Medical Center, and the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
Skornick
Y
Y
Kaplan
O
O
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000465:Algorithms; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D018226:Fibroadenoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans