Solid breast masses diagnosed as fibroadenoma at fine-needle aspiration biopsy: acceptable rates of growth at long-term follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
To determine what growth rate is acceptable before recommending histologic diagnosis of solid breast lesions diagnosed as fibroadenoma at fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB).


METHODS
For 1,070 consecutive patients with breast lesions diagnosed as fibroadenoma at FNAB, three measurements of each mass were performed at the initial visit when FNAB was performed and at each follow-up ultrasonographic examination. Changes in volumes were calculated. At one or more visits, 194 masses showed an increase in volume. Nonfibroadenomas were excluded, and the data were used for comparison. Percentiles (90th and 95th) for percentage change in volume per month were used to determine acceptable changes in dimensions (specifically, greatest anteroposterior, parallel-to-skin, and perpendicular-to-skin dimensions).


RESULTS
There were 567 interval measurements of 179 masses in 173 patients younger than 50 years and 50 measurements of 15 masses in 14 patients 50 years or older at the time of FNAB. The 95th percentile for percentage change in volume per month was approximately 16% for patients younger than 50 years; the 90th percentile was approximately 13% for patients 50 years or older. The 95th percentile mean change in dimension in a 6-month interval for those younger than 50 years was 20%; the 90th percentile change for those 50 years or older was also 20%. All excised masses with slower growth proved benign at histologic examination.


CONCLUSIONS
Solid breast masses diagnosed as fibroadenomas at FNAB may be safely followed up if volume growth rate is less than 16% per month in those younger than 50 years and less than 13% per month in those 50 years or older. Acceptable mean change in dimension for a 6-month interval is 20% for all ages.
Gordon
Paula B
PB
Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, 750 W Broadway, Suite 505, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V5Z 1H4.
Gagnon
Faith A
FA
Lanzkowsky
Leora
L
D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D018226:Fibroadenoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary