Breast masses in children and adolescents - expect infrequent but possible diagnosis

Introduction/Objective. Breast masses are uncommon in children and adolescents. Fortunately, most of these breast lesions are benign, self-limiting changes, although malignant diseases have also been described. The largest proportion of young patients are diagnosed with fibroadenoma. However, biopsy and histopathological examination are necessary in all suspected cases to exclude malignancy. This study aims to highlight the importance of the diagnosis and treatment of breast masses, as well as the possibility of developing malignant breast disease at this age, by presenting our case. Methods. We analyzed data from 27 patients who presented to our clinic in the two-year period. Breast ultrasound was performed on all patients presenting with pain and breast oedema. The breast masses were classified using the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS). Results. The median age of the 27 female patients was 15.44 ? 1.39 years, with breast masses mostly located on the right side in 16 (59.26%) patients, and the prevalence of BI-RADS III in 18 (66.66%) patients. Only two patients (7.4%) were reported as BI-RADS IV and seven (25.92%) as BI-RADS II. The most common mass lesions were fibroadenoma (20/27, 74.07%), benign phyllodes tumour (3/27, 11.11%), and hematoma, abscess, and juvenile papillomatosis (1/27, 3.7%), respectively. Breast cancer was diagnosed in one case (3.7%). Conclusion. Primary breast cancer is relatively uncommon in adolescents. However, clinicians should consider breast cancer in the differential diagnosis of a breast mass in adolescence.