Which lesions with a radiological or core biopsy diagnosis of fibroadenoma should be excised?

Introduction A recent Association of Breast Surgery summary statement on fibroadenoma management recommends excision only for cellular fibroepithelial lesions and rapidly growing lesions with a core biopsy diagnosis of fibroadenoma; persistent pain is a relative indication for excision. Methods This retrospective study looked at the impact this approach would have on the diagnosis of phyllodes tumours. Results From 2014 to 2018, there were 1,058 core biopsy diagnoses of fibroadenoma; 112 lesions were excised, of which 98 were fibroadenomas, 4 were hamartomas and 10 were phyllodes tumours. In this group, an excision diagnosis of phyllodes tumour was associated with size more than 40 mm, age more than 40 years and radiological suspicion of phyllodes tumour or carcinoma. One hundred and sixty-six excised fibroepithelial lesions with no previous core biopsy included eight phyllodes tumours; in this group, rapid growth was associated with phyllodes tumour diagnosis. Twelve of the 26 fibroepithelial lesions classified as B3 (cellular fibroepithelial lesion or phyllodes tumour) were diagnosed as phyllodes tumours on excision. Using a combination of radiological, clinical and pathological features it was possible to create an excision policy that would recommend excision of 22 of the 31 phyllodes tumours in this period. Eight of the nine ‘missed’ phyllodes tumours were benign. Conclusion The Association of Breast Surgery summary statement will reduce the number of fibroadenomas excised, but may also result in delayed diagnosis of some phyllodes tumours. Appropriate safety netting advice should be provided to identify rapidly growing lesions.