Fibroadenoma of the breast: a follow-up of conservative management.

This report details the outcome after clinical diagnosis of mammary fibroadenoma in 110 women aged under 35 years. After fine needle aspiration cytology, and subsequent exclusions and failures of follow-up, 92 lesions were observed for a mean of 47 weeks (range 13-90 weeks), with regular measurements until removal of persisting lesions at 12 months. Fifteen lesions disappeared and 56 had the classical histology of fibroadenoma, mean size 2.5 cm; 30 of the latter continued to grow throughout the study. Cytology is essential to exclude malignancy if conservative treatment is considered, and is helpful in identifying a benign lesion. A period longer than 12 months may be required for resolution of a fibroadenoma and removal under local anaesthesia as a day case offers a simple alternative.