Fundamentals of Benign Breast Disorders

The breast mass is the most common symptom of women presenting to breast centers, accounting for more than half of the complaints. Although most are benign, the presence of a mass can cause considerable anxiety because of the concern for cancer. The most important task of the physician evaluating a breast mass is to exclude the presence of malignancy and provide an accurate diagnosis. Given the nonmalignant nature of fibroadenomas and other benign breast lesions, an important goal in treatment should be cosmesis. The best cosmesis and patient satisfaction occurred when less than 10% of the breast volume was excised.