Follow-up of granulomatous mastitis with monitoring versus surgery

Abstract

Background: IGM (Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis) is a rare, chronic, non-malignant and non-life-threatening breast disease. Clinically and radiologically, it has similar characteristics with other granulomatous diseases and breast carcinomas.

Methods: The patients whom diagnosed IGM according to pathology report were retrospectively evaluated between November 2014 and January 2016. The demographic properties, complaints during admission, diagnosis and treatment methods and clinical results were obtained via investigation of the patient files. The patients were called for follow-up and discussion.

Results: The patients whom diagnosed IGM were retrospectively evaluated and total number of patients were 19. The average following period was 11 months (4-13 months). Fourteen patients were in the reproductive period, five patients were in the postmenopausal period. Ultrasound imaging was performed on all patients, mammography was done on 6 patients over 40 years of age. The patients were not imaged by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Sixteen patients had IGM in a single breast, only three patient have an IGM history in bilateral breast, one or three years ago. Core biopsy was performed on all patients. One patient with bilateral IGM diagnosis performed a drainage and incisional biopsy due to a twice developing abscess clinic and recurrence. One patient had final diagnosis coexistence IGM and ductal carcinoma.

Conclusions: Patients who followed-up by observation should be explained that IGM is a chronic disease and that it may recur in certain periods. Clinical, radiological and pathological examinations should be performed together for breast cancer developing due to the chronical progresses of IGM or concurrent breast cancer.

Keywords: Granulomatous mastitis; breast cancer; observation; surgery.