Chronic Granulomatous Mastitis: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Considerations

Abstract

To review the clinical presentation, histopathological features, and optimal treatment of chronic granulomatous mastitis, the authors conducted a retrospective study of 25 women admitted to a teaching hospital in Malaysia between January 1998 and December 2000 who met the required histologic criteria. The primary outcome measures were morbidity and recurrence of the disease. Thirteen patients presented with a breast mass clinically mimicking breast cancer, and 12 patients had breast induration and abscess formation. In addition, 8 of these patients had recurrent breast disease. Clinical and imaging diagnosis has often been difficult and inconclusive, so histopathology remains the optimal diagnostic tool. Of interest, 50% of patients experience recurrences, and long-term follow-up is therefore necessary. The authors concluded that, because chronic granulomatous mastitis is a rare benign breast condition that may be misdiagnosed as breast carcinoma, complete resection should be accomplished whenever possible. Steroid therapy may be an adjuvant for optimal treatment. Awareness among surgeons and pathologists should also be emphasized to avoid unnecessary misdiagnosis and treatment.

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: an institutional experience

“…Several studies have shown varying degrees of success with all of these methods. Furthermore, management is complicated by a high rate of recurrence (16-50%) (9)(10)(11).…”

Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis: A Case Report

“…Long-term follow-up of patients is advised as there is a chance of relapse for long time after medication is ceased. It is not clear yet if long term low dose steroid can prevent relapse or not (Azlina et al, 2003).…”

“…In the relapsed cases supplementary therapeutic treatment is advised. Taghizadeh et al (2007) and Akcan et al (2006) other appropriate choices are as following: oral steroid therapy with a dose of 16 mg daily for 6 weeks and gradual tapering and surgical approach in the relapsed cases (Azlina et al, 2003;Hirata et al, 2003) waiting and conservative approach with short interval follow-up periods (Lai et al, 2005;Diesing et al, 2004) and finally using Metothrexate and Colchicine in cases resistant to corticotherapy. Diesing et al (2004) and Kim et al (2003) it is essential to ruled out infectious causes in corticotherapy cases and antibiotic treatment should start before administration of oral steroid in abscess cases.…”

Mastitis Granulomatosa Idiopática Y Mastitis De Células Plasmáticas: Experiencia De Tres Años

“…El diagnóstico clínico de estas dos entidades es difícil; se confunden con cáncer de mama localmente avanzado (2,3,4,5). La mamografía y la ecotomografía mamaria, no son específicas para el diagnóstico de estas patologías (6).…”