Mastering the Massive: The Surgical Strategy and Outcomes in a Case of a Large Breast Hamartoma

Hamartomas are rare, benign pseudotumors consisting of a mixture of ducts, lobules, fibrous stroma, and adipose tissue. Despite their benign nature, these lesions can present significant clinical challenges and may be underrecognized. A 48-year-old female presented with a progressively enlarging lump in the right breast over eight years. The lump, measuring 42 x 45 cm, displaced the nipple-areola complex and exhibited a bosselated, variegated consistency. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-defined, lobulated lesion (15.3 x 21 x 26 cm) involving the right breast parenchyma and skin surface. Histopathology from core biopsies showed predominantly fibrocollagenous tissue with mild atypia. The patient underwent wide local excision and reconstruction with a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. Postoperative histopathology confirmed a well-encapsulated mammary hamartoma (29 x 25 x 11.5 cm, 6 kg) with no malignant features. Hamartomas are usually benign and can be challenging to diagnose due to their complex, disorganized architecture. Imaging modalities such as mammography, ultrasound, and MRI are essential for diagnosis, while histopathological examination confirms the nature of the lesion. Surgical excision remains the definitive treatment, addressing both functional and cosmetic concerns. Although malignancy is rare, precise diagnosis and thorough surgical management are critical. This case is the largest breast hamartoma documented in the literature to our best knowledge, providing significant insights into its clinical presentation and management.