Search

Background: Fibroepithelial lesions of the breast (FEL) are atypical lesions diagnosed on core-needle biopsy. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate at which FELs are upstaged to phyllodes tumor on excision, and to examine the clinical and radiological factors that may be predictive of upstaging., Methods: A retrospective review from the medical records of patients diagnosed with FEL on CNB at a single institution between 2010 and 2015 was performed. Patients diagnosed with benign or borderline phyllodes tumors were compared to those diagnosed with fibroadenoma., Results: Of 74 patients diagnosed with FEL, 48 underwent excision (64.9%). Of the 48 lesions excised, pathology revealed 30 fibroadenomas (62.5%), 14 benign phyllodes tumors (29.2%), and 4 borderline phyllodes tumor (8.3%). No malignant phyllodes tumors were identified. On preoperative ultrasound, heterogeneous echotexture (p = 0.03) and lack of internal vascularity (p = 0.03) were significantly associated with upstaging to phyllodes tumor., Conclusions: Surgical excision of FELs yield a pathological diagnosis of benign and borderline phyllodes tumor in 37.5% of cases. A high BIRADs score (≥4b), heterogeneous echotexture and lack of internal vascularity on ultrasound may help predict upstaging to phyllodes tumor., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Fibroadenomas are benign breast tumors; however, more aggressive lesions may mimic or arise within fibroadenomas. We sought to define criteria identifying patients who should undergo surgical excision., Methods: Patients with a preoperative diagnosis of fibroadenoma, who underwent surgical excision between 2002 and 2011, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with final pathologic diagnosis of fibroadenoma were compared with those with non-fibroadenoma pathology., Results: Of the 723 patients, 681 (94%) had fibroadenomas on final pathology. The incidence of non-fibroadenoma pathology was 6% (42 patients) and included benign phylloides (23), malignant phylloides (2), atypical ductal hyperplasia (1), intraductal papilloma (5), and other benign pathology (11). No cases of adenocarcinoma were identified. Non-fibroadenoma pathology was associated with age >35, immobile or poorly circumscribed mass, size >2.5 cm, and biopsy not definitive for fibroadenoma., Conclusion: Patients with age >35 years, immobile or poorly circumscribed mass, size >2.5 cm, or biopsy not definitive for fibroadenoma should undergo surgical excision., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The oncologic efficacy of breast-conserving therapies has been established in recent decades. Oncoplastic breast surgery (OBS), as a leap forward in breast conservation, offers concomitant techniques of oncologic and plastic surgeries that grant better esthetic results. The outcomes of our oncoplastic surgeries from 2007 to 2012 are reported., Methods: A series of 258 cases with breast masses (18 benign and 240 carcinomas) were operated on by OBS techniques and prospectively followed. Neoadjuvant and adjuvant oncologic treatments were also delivered as indicated., Results: Free margins were obtained in 95% of cancer patients. During the 26 months of follow-up, local recurrence happened in 7 (2.9%) patients, of which 1 underwent oncologic therapies and 6 underwent completion mastectomy. Complications postponed adjuvant therapies in 3 (1.2%) patients. Postsurgically, metastases were diagnosed in 8 (3.3%) patients. Two patients (.8%) died of cancer., Conclusions: Outcomes of OBS are oncologically acceptable with low frequencies of positive margins and recurrence, while cosmetic results are much improved by OBS., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Percutaneous needle biopsy, also known as minimally invasive breast biopsy (MIBB), has become the gold standard for the initial assessment of suspicious breast lesions. The purpose of this study is to determine modern rates of MIBB and open breast biopsy., Methods: The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration outpatient surgery and procedure database was queried for patients undergoing open surgical biopsy and MIBB between 2003 and 2008., Results: Although there was an increase in the use of MIBB, the overall rate of open surgical biopsy remained high (∼30%). A reduction in the open biopsy rate from 30% to 10% could be associated with a charge reduction of >$37.2 million per year., Conclusions: The current rate of open surgical breast biopsy remains high. Interventions and quality initiatives are warranted, which could lead to a reduction in unnecessary operations for women, improved patient care, and a reduction in breast health care costs., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The ability to perform breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided breast procedures are increasingly important skills for breast surgeons. Breast fellowship programs must develop programs to ensure adequate ultrasound training for breast fellows., Methods: A Minimally Invasive Breast Biopsy Clinic was established at the Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center to provide breast fellows with comprehensive, hands-on, "live-patient" breast ultrasound training., Results: From December 2004 though February 2005, 5 breast fellows received training in the Minimally Invasive Breast Biopsy Clinic. Each fellow received a minimum of 18 weeks of "live-patient" experience. Although the learning curve varied among the fellows, all showed proficiency in performing breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided core biopsies by the 12th week. A total of 39 patients with fibroadenomas underwent 62 ultrasound-guided procedures, including 30 vacuum-assisted percutaneous excisions, 16 cryoablations, and 16 core biopsies., Conclusion: The Minimally Invasive Breast Clinic model provided breast fellows with sufficient "live-patient" experience to enable confident performance of breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided breast procedures. The selection of patients with fibroadenomas facilitated safe and efficient training without interfering with the management of cancer patients.

Introduction: Fibroadenomas are a frequently encountered benign tumor that will occur in approximately 10% of women during their lifetime. Although the natural history would suggest fibroadenomas diagnosed with minimally invasive needle core biopsy can be safely observed, the majority are still surgically removed in the operating room. In an effort to limit the more than 500,000 surgical fibroadenoma removals performed each year, percutaneous excision has become a viable alternative. Percutaneous excision of intact fibroadenomas versus removal with a multiple core sampling technique has the dual potential advantage of causing minimal intervention combined with provision of adequate sample for thorough histopathology and margin analysis for confirmation of complete removal. An 18-month retrospective analysis was undertaken to evaluate the utilization of a new radiofrequency-assisted biopsy device in the successful removal and continued absence of histologically confirmed fibroadenomas on 4- to 6-month follow-up imaging., Methods: Between April 2004 and November 2005, 100 patients underwent ultrasound- or stereotactic-guided, radiofrequency-assisted intact percutaneous excision of 106 diagnosed fibroadenomas of the breast. Patients were comprised of 100 women whose ages ranged from 18-70 years (median age, 45 years)., Results: Indications for the procedure included palpable mass, 77; abnormal mammogram, 13; and abnormal ultrasound, 10, as the patient's initial presentation. Ultrasound was used to guide the procedure in 82 patients, and stereotactic was used in 18 patients. One early study procedure was performed under general anesthesia; the remaining studies were performed under local anesthesia (1% lidocaine) using from 10 to 45 mL. On pathologic examination, the tumors ranged in size from 6 to 27 mm (mean diameter, 14 mm) and weighed from 0.6 to 2.0 g (mean weight, 1.0 g). Patients reported minimum discomfort related to the procedure; pain scores ranged from 0 to 10 (mean pain score, <1). Complications were minimal, with only 2 patients having bleeding, which was controlled by conservative measures. At the 4- to 6-month follow-up, 79 of 85 (93%) evaluable patients showed no physical or imaging evidence of residual fibroadenoma, an additional 5 patients have reported no physical findings or further complaints and have required no further need for medical evaluation, 8 have been lost to follow-up, and 2 have yet to be reevaluated., Conclusions: Percutaneous ultrasound- or stereotactic-guided, radiofrequency-assisted excision of fibroadenomas of the breast may be performed in an ambulatory setting under local anesthesia. The procedure provides intact specimens that in most cases appear to be completely removed after follow-up of 4 to 6 months. The procedure is well tolerated by patients and is associated with minimal complications.

Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the intermediate- (6 months) and longer-term (12 months) follow-up of patients with breast fibroadenomas treated by cryoablation in community-based practice settings., Methods: The FibroAdenoma Cryoablation Treatment (FACT) registry was created to systematically collect procedural and follow-up data for patients with fibroadenomas treated by cryoablation without subsequent excision. This report summarizes the experience from 55 different practice settings across the United States. Baseline and follow-up clinical data at 6 months and 12 months were tabulated for all patients., Results: Data from 444 treated fibroadenomas were analyzed. The mean tumor diameter was 1.8 cm. Before cryoablation, 75% of fibroadenomas were palpable by the patient. Follow-up at 6- and 12-month intervals revealed palpability of the treated site in 46% and 35%, respectively. When fibroadenomas were grouped by size, for lesions 2 cm, residual cryoablation induce changes were visible by ultrasound in 39% of the patients at 6 months. The treatment area was palpable in 78% of the cases at the same time. Visibility by ultrasound was 32%, and palpability was 59% at 12 months follow-up. Patient satisfaction with the procedure was rated as high at 91% and 88% at 6 and 12 months follow-up, respectively., Conclusions: Before implementing this technique, patients should be apprised of the likely persistence of a palpable mass of the treated site for a prolonged period that will reabsorb over time. Palpability of the treated site persists for a substantially longer period of time for lesions greater than 2 cm in diameter. For patients with a fibroadenoma smaller than 2 cm, complete resolution can be expected in two thirds and three quarters of the patients at 6 and 12 months, respectively. We will continue to follow these patients to better define the length of time and factors influencing the resolution of the treatment induced physical and radiographic findings.

Background: Cryoablation is a recent technological advance and has been used for the percutaneous treatment of breast fibroadenomas. Herein, we provide a retrospective summary of the early experience from a nationwide group., Methods: We organized a national registry to document the community practice and adoption of an office-based system of cryoablation for breast fibroadenoma. Data were abstracted during the first 6 weeks after the procedure to assess acute outcome and potential complications. At 6-and 12-month follow-up intervals, additional data were collected regarding fibroadenoma resolution, cosmesis, and patient satisfaction., Results: Fifty-three sites ablated 310 fibroadenomas. Early follow-up data on 256 lesions showed that the procedure was well tolerated with infrequent minor complications immediately after the procedure. At 6 and 12 months postprocedure, the remaining fibroadenoma volume progressively involuted. At both intervals, cosmesis was excellent, and patient satisfaction was rated high., Conclusions: An early community experience with office-based cryoablation of breast fibroadenomas is encouraging and comparable to the initial experience of high-volume tertiary centers. More follow-up is necessary to determine long-term results and residual mammographic changes., (Copyright 2004 Excerpta Medica, Inc.)

Background: Fibroadenomas commonly found by palpation and routine mammography account for approximately 20% of open surgical breast biopsies. Alternatives to open surgery include tumor removal using an automated coring device and tumor ablation using heating or cooling elements. We report our initial experience with cryoablation of biopsy-proven benign fibroadenomas., Methods: A table-top cryoablation system employing a 2.4-mm cryoprobe was used to treat biopsy-proven benign fibroadenomas up to 4 cm in maximum diameter in a prospective nonrandomized fashion. The cryoprobe was placed under ultrasound guidance. Using a treatment algorithm based on fibroadenoma size, all tumors were subjected to two freeze cycles with an interposing thaw. Skin appearance and temperature, probe temperature, iceball size, and patient comfort were closely monitored during the procedure. Follow-up examinations including ultrasonography and photographs were scheduled for up to 12 months postablation., Results: Fifty patients with 57 core biopsy-proven benign fibroadenomas were treated. Seven early cases were treated in an ambulatory surgery center setting. The remaining procedures were completely office-based using only local anesthetic. Tumor diameter varied from 7 mm to 42 mm (mean 21 mm). The iceball engulfed the target lesion in each case. Transient postoperative side effects were local swelling and ecchymosis. Postoperative discomfort rarely required medication beyond acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Lesions showed progressive shrinkage and disappearance over 3 to 12 months. No skin injury was noted and appearance remained excellent. Patient satisfaction was excellent., Conclusions: With office-based use of ultrasound-guided cryoablation for fibroadenomas there was little or no pain, target lesions were reduced in size or eliminated, scarring was minimal, cosmesis outstanding, and patient satisfaction was excellent. Cryoablation offers a useful office-based alternative to surgical excision of benign fibroadenomas.

The early results of 6 patients with a benign breast mass who underwent an endoscopic extirpation via an extra-mammary incision were presented. Under general anesthesia in either a lateral or supine position, a 12-mm and two 5-mm incisions in the infra-mammary line in 2 patients and in the mid-axillary line in the remaining 4 patients were made. The tumors were then endoscopically extirpated. Preoperative aspiration needle cytology revealed six fibroadenomas in 5 patients and one intraductal papilloma in the other patient. All patients were single females with a mean age of 22.5 years. The maximal size of the masses was 5 cm on average. The average operation time was 3 hours 20 minutes. Regarding postoperative complications, subcutaneous emphysema extending to the neck due to CO2 gas inflation and a burn in the skin were seen in 1 patient each; however, no further treatment was required in these cases. The postoperative hospital stay was 1.7 days on average, and all patients were extremely satisfied with the cosmetic results of the procedure. The cosmetic results are drastically improved by the application of endoscopic removal via extra-mammary approaches, which are newly introduced, for benign breast tumors.