THE BREAST MOUSE: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF BREAST FIBROADENOMAS IN THE PAKISTANI POPULATION

OBJECTIVE: To assess the characteristics of fibroadenomas and demographics of women presenting with breast masses in order to differentiate such masses from malignant breast masses. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey was conducted at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Pakistan. Women with breast masses presenting to surgical outpatient department were assessed by taking a thorough history and breast examination, followed by imaging (ultrasound/mammography). Diagnosis was confirmed by fine needle aspiration cytology/Core biopsy. Only diagnosed cases of fibroadenomas were included in this study. RESULTS: Majority (n=93; 70.5%) of fibroadenoma patients were aging from 16-30 years. Seventy (n=70; 53.0%) patients belonged to urban areas. Menstrual cycle was regular in 123 (93.2%) cases. Sixty-four (48.5%) patients were using oral contraceptive pills. Majority (n=79; 59.8%) of patients were nulliparous. Most (38.6%) women presented with a duration of the lump in 1-6 months. Approximately half (n=51; 53 %) of patient reported no increase in size. Lump was painful in 77 (58.3%) cases and 34 (74.2%) stated that the pain was acyclical. Lumps were mainly located on left side (n=64; 48.5%) and in upper outer quadrants (n=54; 40.9%) of breast. Mean lump size was 4.05 cm. Only 9 (6.8%) patients reported nipple discharge. Almost all of the patients (n=128; 97%) chose to undergo excision of the fibroadenoma. CONCLUSION: Fibroadenomas are a common presentation in women presenting with breast masses in the surgical outpatient department, most frequent in women aging 16-30 years and nulliparous. There is a strong predominance in the left breast in the upper outer quadrant.