Giant Fibroadenoma of the Breast in an Adolescent

A 15-years-old girl was admitted to our Paediatric Surgery Department with a history of rapidly increasing enlargement of the right breast over the previous five months. Sonography revealed a non-infiltrative large tumour located in the right breast. The mass was excised and the histopathological examination established a diagnosis of giant fibroadenoma of the breast. The postoperative period was uneventful, and cosmetic intervention was accepted by the patient. Giant fibroadenoma is a rare pathology, usually presenting in adolescence, characterised by massive and rapid enlargement of an encapsulated mass. Currently, there are some preoperative difficulties in distinguishing it from cystosarcoma phyllodes, which has benign and malignant forms. It is important to differentiate the two pathologies before surgery as they have a different therapeutic approach and different follow-up. In cases of fibroadenoma, breast tumours over 5 cm in diameter and showing rapid enlargement should be excised and a histopathological diagnosis must be made. (Gazi Med J 2012; 23: 94-6)