Breast masses in childhood: a single-center experience

TL;DR

This study examines breast masses in children, finding most are benign but some can be malignant, emphasizing the need for careful monitoring.

Contribution

The study provides clinical and pathological insights into pediatric breast masses based on a single-center retrospective analysis.

Findings

Most pediatric breast masses were benign fibroepithelial lesions or fibroadenomas.

Malignant tumors were rare but present in 6.3% of cases.

Larger tumor size was associated with higher likelihood of surgery.

Abstract

Pediatric breast masses are rare conditions. Although most of them are benign, they can cause concern in families. The present study aims to determine breast masses’ clinical and pathological outcomes in childhood.

The records of patients who underwent further evaluations for breast masses between 2010 and 2023 at a single center were retrospectively reviewed.

A total of 32 patients with breast tumors were included in the study. The median age of the patients was 16 years (1-18 years); 90.6% (n = 29) were female, and 9.4% (n = 3) were male. Most patients, 90.6% (n = 29), had a painless, palpable mass. A family history of breast cancer was present in four patients. One patient had received chemotherapy for neuroblastoma and one for teratoma. The most common location was the upper outer quadrant in 35.5% of patients (n = 11). Bilateral mass involvement was present in five patients (15.6%). The mean tumor size was 32.64 ± 17.4 mm (range 9–80 mm). The mean tumor diameter was 24.6 ± 14.2 mm in patients who were followed without surgery and 39.2 ± 17.4 mm in those who underwent surgery (P = 0.017). A biopsy was performed in 53.1% (n = 17) of the patients, and surgery in 56.2% (n = 18). The most frequent pathology was fibroepithelial lesion and fibroadenomas 57.1% (n = 20). Malignant tumors (leiomyosarcoma and T cell lymphoma) were observed in 6.3% of the patients (n = 2) and borderline phyllodes tumors in 18.7% (n = 6). Recurrence was observed in 18.7% of the patients (n = 6) during the follow-up.

In childhood, the most commonly encountered breast tumors are benign. However, careful monitoring is crucial due to the potential occurrence of malignant tumors. Further evaluations should be undertaken in patients with a history of malignancy or radiotherapy, masses larger than 5 cm, or masses with progressive growth.

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