Benign breast disorders and diseases in rural Andhra Pradesh: A prospective study

Background: Throughout life period of female, breast is subjected to constant physical and physiological alterations that are related to puberty, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, lactation, and menopause. Benign breast diseases (BBD) constitute a heterogeneous group of breast lesions which include developmental abnormalities, inflammatory and granulomatous lesions, epithelial and stromal proliferations, and neoplasms.Methods: This is a prospective study of females with breast disease presenting to surgery department over a period of one year. Malignant cases or benign cases treated earlier are excluded from the study. In addition to detailed history, triple assessment including thorough clinical examination, imaging study and tissue biopsy was done to arrive at a diagnosis. Investigations included routine hematological in all patients and imaging (ultrasonography and mammography) in some.Results: Most common BBD is fibroadenoma followed by mastalgia, breast abscess and fibrocystic disease in our population. Commonest way of presentation was lump in breast followed by mastalgia and nipple discharge.Conclusion: Benign breast diseases are common problems of 2nd and 3rd decade in females and raises considerable fear of malignancy. The patients of BBDs generally present with one or more of these complaints–breast lump, breast pain or nipple discharge. All the patients with discrete breast lumps should undergo a triple assessment to make an early diagnosis.