Surgical treatment for breast tumors in children

Abstract

Introduction/Objective Fibroadenoma, often called “breast mice tumors” due to their mobility, are the most common breast tumors in pediatric population. Considering that some tumors have a potential for rapid growth, breast tissue damage, and that an ideal diagnostic tool has yet to be found, complete mass extirpation might be the treatment of choice. The aim of the study was to present our clinical experience in treating children with breast masses.

Methods A retrospective review (2011–2018) of patients treated for breast tumors at the Institute for Child and Youth Health Care of Vojvodina in Novi Sad was conducted.

Results In this study 29 girls (mean age 15.8 ± 1.8) were included. The majority of masses were located in the upper outer (27.6%) or lower inner (24.1%) breast quadrant. The mean mass diameter was 39.7 mm. It has been observed that the mean mass diameter in the group of girls with positive family history for breast diseases was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than in those with negative family history (27.5 vs. 43.2 mm). There were no proven malignant tumors and all tumors have been completely extirpated. The mean postoperative stay was 1.5 ± 1.02 days.

Conclusion An appropriate radical operative technique dependent on mass size and localization is still the “gold standard” for treating breast masses in pediatric patients. Cooperation with experts in the field of oncologic breast surgery enables implementing these operative techniques in clinical practice of pediatric surgeons.

Keywords: breast fibroadenoma; phylloid breast tumor; surgery; children