Excision of breast fibroepithelial lesions: when is it still necessary?-A 10-year review of a regional centre.

PURPOSE: Fibroepithelial lesions (FEL) range from benign fibroadenoma (FA) to malignant phyllodes tumor (PT), but can be difficult to diagnose on core needle biopsy (CNB). This study assesses risk factors for phyllodes tumor (PT) and recurrence and whether a policy to excise FELs over 3 cm in size is justified. METHODS: Patients having surgery for FELs from 2009 to 2018 were identified. The association of clinical, radiology and pathological features with PT and recurrence were evaluated. Trend analysis was used to assess risk of PT based on imaging size. RESULTS: Of the 616 patients with FELs, 400 were identified as having FA on CNB and 216 were identified as having FEL with a comment of concern for phyllodes tumor (query PT, QPT). PT was identified in 107 cases; 28 had CNB of FA (7.0%), while 79 had QPT (36.6%). Follow-up was available for 86 with a mean of 56 months; six patients had recurrence of PT, all of whom had QPT on CNB. The finding of PT was associated with CNB of QPT, increasing age and size on multivariate logistic regression. All patients diagnosed with PT following CNB of FA had enlarging lesions with a mean size of 38.3 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Our data does not support routine excision of FELs based on size alone. All patients with QPT on CNB, regardless of size should consider excision due to high risk of PT and recurrence, and the decision to excise FAs to rule out PT should also consider whether the lesion is enlarging.

Nighttime compression supports improved self-management of breast cancer-related lymphedema: A multicenter randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Lymphedema is a prevalent long-term effect of breast cancer treatment associated with reduced quality of life. This study examined the efficacy of nighttime compression as a self-management strategy for women with chronic breast cancer-related lymphedema. METHODS: Th authors conducted a parallel 3-arm, multicenter, randomized trial. Women were recruited from 3 centers in Canada and randomized to group 1 (daytime compression garment alone [standard care]), group 2 (daytime compression garment plus nighttime compression bandaging), or group 3 (daytime compression garment plus the use of a nighttime compression system garment). The primary outcome was the change in excess arm volume from the baseline to 12 weeks. Participants from all groups used a nighttime compression system garment from weeks 13 to 24. RESULTS: One hundred twenty women were enrolled, 118 completed the randomized trial, and 114 completed the 24-week follow-up. The rates of adherence to nighttime compression were 95% ± 15% and 96% ± 11% in the compression bandaging and nighttime compression system groups, respectively. After the intervention, the addition of nighttime compression was found to be superior to standard care for both absolute milliliter reductions (P = .006) and percentage reductions (P = .002) in excess arm lymphedema volume. Significant within-group changes were seen for quality of life across all groups; however, no between-group differences were found (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The trial demonstrated a significant improvement in arm lymphedema volume from the addition of nighttime compression whether through the application of compression bandaging or through the use of a nighttime compression system garment. LAY SUMMARY: Lymphedema is swelling that occurs in the arm on the side of the surgery for breast cancer. Lymphedema occurs in approximately 21% of women. Lymphedema tends to worsen over time and can result in recurrent infections in the arm, functional impairment, and pain. Currently, treatment consists of intensive treatments to reduce the swelling followed by regular use of a compression sleeve during the day. This study examined and found a benefit from the addition of nighttime compression (whether through self-applied compression bandaging or through the use of a nighttime compression system garment) to the use of a daytime compression sleeve.

Measurements using mammography and ultrasonography underestimate the size of high-volume ductal carcinoma in situ.

BACKGROUND: Surgical decisions for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are based on lesion sizes. This study aims to determine the accuracy of pre-operative imaging in estimating the size of DCIS. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of clinicopathologic data of patients treated for DCIS with breast conserving surgery (BCS) between 2012 and 2018. Mammographic and sonographic lesion sizes were compared with final pathology sizes. RESULTS: For the 152 lesions visible on mammography, mean size on imaging was significantly smaller when compared to final pathology (2.3 vs. 3.6 cm, p < 0.001). The mean difference of 1.3 cm was a significant underestimation with a correlation coefficient of 0.367 (p < 0.001). For 48 sonographically visible lesions, the radiologic size was significantly smaller than pathologic size (1.7 vs. 4.1 cm, p < 0.001), but the degree of underestimation was not significantly correlated (p = 0.379). CONCLUSION: DCIS size was significantly underestimated by imaging. This must be taken into consideration during surgical planning.

De-Escalating Breast Cancer Surgery: Should We Apply Quality Indicators from Other Jurisdictions in Canada?

Quality Indicators (QIs), including the breast-conserving surgery (BCS) rate, were published by the European and American Breast Cancer Societies and this study assesses these in a Canadian population to look for opportunities to de-escalate surgery. A total of 2311 patients having surgery for unilateral, unifocal breast cancer between 2013 and 2017 were identified and BCS QIs calculated. Reasons for mastectomy had been prospectively collected with synoptic operative reporting. Our BCS rate for invasive cancer < 3 cm was 77.1%, invasive cancer < 2 cm was 84.1%, and DCIS < 2 cm was 84.9%. There was no statistically significant change in BCS rates over a five-year period, but there was a reduction in contralateral prophylactic mastectomies (CPM) from 28% in 2013 to 16% in 2017 (p < 0.001). Trend analysis looking at tumour size and medical need for mastectomy indicated that 80% of patients at our centre would be eligible for BCS with tumour cut off of 2.5 cm. Our institution met American but not European QI standards for BCS rates, potentially indicating a difference in patient demographics compared to Europe. Our results support the understanding that BCS rates are influenced by multiple factors and are challenging to compare across jurisdictions. CPM rates may offer a more actionable opportunity to de-escalate surgery for breast cancer.

Development and Prospective Validation of a Risk Calculator That Predicts a Low Risk Cohort for Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia Upstaging to Malignancy: Evidence for a Watch and Wait Strategy of a High-Risk Lesion.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend surgical excision of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) due to the concern of undersampling a potential malignancy on core needle biopsy (CNB). The purpose of this study was to determine clinical, radiological and pathological variables associated with ADH upstaging to cancer and to develop a predictive risk calculator capable of identifying women who have a low oncological risk of upstaging. METHODS: A prospectively collected database from a tertiary breast referral center was analyzed for women diagnosed with ADH on CNB between January 2013 to December 2017 who underwent surgical excision. CNB and surgical pathology reports were examined to determine rate of upstaging. The association between clinical, radiological and pathological variables were evaluated using regression analysis to determine predictors of ADH upstaging to cancer. Significant variables (p ≤ 0.05) identified on univariate analysis were assigned a score of "1" and were included in the ADH upstaging risk calculator. RESULTS: A total of 1986 patients underwent surgery for a high-risk lesion. We identified 318 (16.0%) patients who had ADH identified on their CNB who underwent surgery-of which 290 were included in our study. The upstage rate was 24.8%. Five variables were associated with upstaging and included in our calculator: (1) lesion > 5 mm on ultrasound; (2) lesion > 5 mm on mammogram; (3) one or more "high-risk" lesion(s) on CNB; (4) pathological suspicion for cancer and; (5) incomplete removal of calcifications on CNB. Patients with a score of 0 had a 2% risk of being upstaged to cancer and were deemed low risk with 17.2% of patients falling within this category. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ADH on CNB can be stratified into a low oncological cohort who have a 2% risk of being upstaged to carcinoma. In the future, these select patients may be counselled and potentially offered observation as an alternative to surgery.

Pure flat epithelial atypia identified on core needle biopsy does not require excision.

BACKGROUND: Routine excision of flat epithelial atypia (FEA) of the breast found on core needle biopsy (CNB) is being questioned and a policy of selective excision of FEA was adopted in our area. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the upstage rate to malignancy across multiple diagnostic centers in our area following the policy of selective excision and to identify factors predictive of malignancy. METHODS: Patients having excision of CNB FEA at our regional Hospital between 2013 and 2017 were identified. The primary endpoint was upstage to malignancy after excision. We also assessed for clinical, radiological, and pathological features associated with malignancy. RESULTS: We identified 187 patients. Eighty-nine had pure FEA, 71 had concurrent ADH, and 18 had other pathological lesions. Following surgical excision, 9 patients were upstaged to malignancy (4. 8%) with 8 having concurrent ADH (2 invasive ductal carcinoma, 6 DCIS) and 1 with concurrent Complex Sclerosing Lesion (DCIS). None of the pure FEA cases upstaged. The presence of ADH or CSL in the CNB were the only factors found to be predictive of upstaging (p = 0.001, p = 0.0001 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The upstage rate to malignancy after excision of pure FEA at out center is 0%. Therefore, we recommend that pure FEA with radiology and pathology concordance does not require surgical excision and can instead be followed with serial imaging. However, patients with FEA in association with other high-risk lesions should be managed as per indicated for the other high-risk lesion and FEA with ADH should be excised.

Risk of malignancy in papillary neoplasms of the breast.

PURPOSE: In recent years, routine excision of papillary neoplasms (PN) of the breast has been questioned and controversy exists over when excision is necessary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the upstage rate to malignancy of core needle biopsy (CNB) diagnosed PNs from multiple diagnostic centers in our area and to identify factors predictive of malignancy. METHODS: Patients presenting to our surgical center between 2013 and 2017 for excision of CNB PN were evaluated. The primary endpoint was upstage to malignancy. The association of age, diagnostic center where CNB performed, type of CNB, palpability, discharge, clinical exam size, imaging size, family history of breast cancer, and presence of atypia, as risk factors for upstaging to cancer were also evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 317 PN cases, 83 upstaged to malignancy following surgical excision. 77% of patients with CNB of Atypical PN upstaged, 39% of PN with concurrent atypical ductal hyperplasia, and 0% of PN with concurrent atypical lobular hyperplasia/flat epithelial atypia. Of the 206 non-atypical PNs on CNB, 3.4% upstaged to malignancy, but further review demonstrated a 1% upstage rate when atypia excluded. Factors found to be associated with malignancy included: older patient age, larger size, and presence of atypia. CONCLUSION: We recommend excision of PN with atypia, concurrent cancerous lesion, or radiologic-pathologic non-concordance, and serial imaging follow up may be considered for image detected PN, less than 1 cm, with no atypia.

Immediate Reconstruction Swing Room Scheduling Reduces Wait Times to Surgery and Increases Breast Reconstruction Rates.

BACKGROUND: Despite benefits in quality of life, patient satisfaction, overall healthcare costs, and number of surgeries, historically fewer than 30% of patients undergo immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy for breast cancer. A paucity of qualified oncologic and plastic surgeons coupled with inefficient use of operating room (OR) resources presents challenges in offering immediate breast reconstruction in a timely manner. To address these challenges, an immediate reconstruction swing room (IRSW) program was developed. METHODS: IRSW scheduling leverages two concurrently running ORs, with the surgical oncologist and plastic surgeon moving between rooms to complete 2-4 combined mastectomy cases with immediate reconstruction, in addition to 1-2 independent cases, each operative day. The final year of traditional booking was compared with IRSW scheduling to assess wait times and reconstruction rates. RESULTS: Comparing the 2 years, fewer surgical breast cases were performed with IRSW scheduling (1250 vs. 1178), however the overall number of oncology cases increased from 735 (59%) to 857 (73%). The number of immediate reconstructions performed increased from 75 to 139 (p < 0.0001), which reflects a mean of 1.2 IR cases versus 2.9 combined cases in IRSW. Overall, this facilitated an increase in the rate of immediate reconstruction following therapeutic mastectomy from 35 to 49% (p = 0.0004) and decreased wait times from core biopsy to surgery from 70 to 52 days (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: A multidisciplinary model with optimized scheduling has the potential to improve resource utilization and access to breast cancer care.

Is microductectomy still necessary to diagnose breast cancer: a 10-year study on the effectiveness of duct excision and galactography.

PURPOSE: Patients with spontaneous nipple discharge (SND) who have neither clinically palpable masses nor evidence of disease on imaging with mammogram and/or ultrasound are traditionally investigated with galactogram and duct excision. As breast imaging improves, it has raised the question whether galactography and microductectomy are necessary to diagnose breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of malignancy in patients presenting with SND who underwent microductectomy and to evaluate the utility of duct excision and galactography in patients whose initial clinical and radiological evaluation were negative. METHODS: A 10-year retrospective study was conducted in British Columbia's largest tertiary breast referral center examining the clinical, radiological and pathological results for all patients who underwent a microductectomy procedure for SND between 2008 and 2017. RESULTS: A total of 231 microductectomies were performed and the overall incidence of malignancy was 13% (n = 32). Following initial work up, 155 patients (67%) had only discharge on exam and no radiologically suspicious findings of malignant disease. Of these patients, 14% (n = 21) were diagnosed with cancer by duct excision. Galactography yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 63% and 36%, respectively (PPV 15% and NPV 85%). Lastly, we found that 3% of patients (n = 8) initially diagnosed with benign disease later developed breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SND should continue to be evaluated with microductectomy to prevent missing a breast cancer. Moreover, we do not recommend performing galactography for diagnosing breast cancer due to poor sensitivity and specificity though it may assist in preoperative planning.

Number of nodes in sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer: Are surgeons still biased?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the number of lymph nodes removed at SLNB, and what factors might bias a surgeon's decision to remove additional nodes. METHODS: A prospectively maintained database was reviewed. All patients that had SLNB for primary treatment of breast cancer between January 2012 and March 2016 were identified. Clinicopathologic factors were used to compare the number of LNs and rates of node positivity. RESULTS: One thousand six hundred and three patients were included. The average number of SLNs, non-SLNs, and total LNs was 2.53, 0.54, 3.08, respectively. Significantly more LNs were removed in age <40 versus age >40 (3.73, 3.04 P < 0.01), invasive versus DCIS (3.13, 2.73 P < 0.001), Grade III versus Grade II (3.42, 2.99 P < 0.01), T2 versus T1 (3.40, 2.96 P < 0.01), and ER- versus ER+ (3.45, 3.05 P < 0.05). SLN positivity was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in invasive versus DCIS (27%, 4%), T2 versus T1 (30%. 17%), Grade II versus Grade I (42%, 18%), and ILC versus IDC (38%, 26%). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant difference in the number of lymph nodes removed at SLNB in certain groups however; node positivity was not necessarily higher in these groups. Surgeons must be cognizant of potential bias when performing SLNB.

Prospective surveillance and targeted physiotherapy for arm morbidity after breast cancer surgery: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate prospective surveillance and targeted physiotherapy (PSTP) compared to education (EDU) on the prevalence of arm morbidity and describe the associated program cost. DESIGN: Pilot randomized single-blinded controlled trial. SETTING: Urban with assessments and treatment delivered in hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Women scheduled for breast cancer surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to PSTP ( n = 21) or EDU ( n = 20) and assessed presurgery and 12 months postsurgery. All participants received usual care, namely, preoperative education and provision of an education booklet with postsurgical exercises. The PSTP group was monitored for arm morbidity every three months and referred for physiotherapy if arm morbidity was identified. The EDU group received three education sessions on nutrition, stress and fatigue management. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Arm morbidity was based on changes in the surgical arm(s) from presurgery in four domains: (1) shoulder range of motion, (2) strength, (3) volume, and (4) upper body function. Complex arm morbidity indicated ≥2 domains impaired. Second, the cost of the PSTP program was described. RESULTS: At 12 months, 18 (49%) participants (10 PSTP and 8 EDU) had arm morbidity, with EDU participants presenting more complex arm morbidity compared to PSTP participants. PSTP participants attended 4.4 of 5 assessments with 90% retention. The PSTP program cost was $150 covered by the Health Care Provider and the Patient Out-of-Pocket Travel cost was CAN$40. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that PSTP is feasible among women with breast cancer for early identification of arm morbidity. A larger study is needed to determine the cost and effectiveness benefits.

Routine shave margins are not necessary in early stage breast cancer treated with Breast Conserving Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Breast Conserving Surgery (BCS) is considered standard of care for women with early stage breast cancer. Between 20 and 50% of women treated with BCS will require re-operation for positive or close margins and it has been suggested that routine cavity shave margins may reduce the frequency of positive margins. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of a prospectively maintained surgical database of patients undergoing BCS for early stage breast cancer, at a single institution, between January 2012 and December 2015. Cohort was followed until June 2016 to capture re-operations. RESULTS: Among 2096 patients with stage 0-III breast cancers, 872 (42%) underwent primary mastectomies and 1224 (58%) underwent primary BCS. Margins were positive in 128 (11%) and close in 442 (36%). Re-operation rate for patients after BCS was 19%. CONCLUSION: A lower than predicted positive margin rate suggests that routine shave margins are not warranted at our institution.

Patient navigation reduces time to care for patients with breast symptoms and abnormal screening mammograms.

INTRODUCTION: Concern has been raised about delays for patients presenting with breast symptoms in Canada. Our objective was to determine if our Rapid Access Breast Clinic (RABC) improved care for patients presenting with breast symptoms compared to the traditional system (TS). METHODS: A retrospective chart review tabulated demographic, surgical, pathology and radiologic information. Wait times to care were determined for patients presenting with symptomatic and screen detected breast problems. RESULTS: Time from presentation to surgeon evaluation was shorter in the RABC group for patients with breast symptoms (81 vs 35 days, p < .0001) and abnormal screens (72 vs 40 days, p = .092). Cancer patients with abnormal screens had shorter wait times than patients with breast symptoms in the TS (47 vs 70 days, p = .036). CONCLUSION: Coordination of imaging and clinical care reduces wait times in patients with both abnormal screening mammograms and symptomatic breast presentations and should be expanded in our province.

Reduced Time to Breast Cancer Diagnosis with Coordination of Radiological and Clinical Care.

Introduction Diagnostic delays for breast problems is a current concern in British Columbia and diagnostic pathways for breast cancer are currently under review. Breast centres have been introduced in Europe and reported to facilitate diagnosis and treatment. Guidelines for breast centers are outlined by the European Society for Mastology (EUSOMA). A Rapid Access Breast Clinic (RABC) was developed at our hospital applying the concept of triple evaluation for all patients and navigation between clinicians and radiologists. We hypothesize that the Rapid Access Breast Clinic will decrease wait times to diagnosis and minimize duplication of services compared to usual care. Methods A retrospective review was undertaken looking at diagnostic wait times and the number of diagnostic centres involved for consecutive patients seen by breast surgeons with diagnostic workups performed either in the traditional system (TS) or the RABC. Only patients presenting with a new breast problem were included in the study. Results Patients seen at the RABC had a decreased time to surgical consultation (33 vs 86 days, p<0.0001) for both malignant (36 vs 59 days, p=0.0007) and benign diagnoses (31 vs 95 days, p<0.0001). Furthermore, 13% of the patients referred to the surgeon in the TS without a diagnosis were eventually diagnosed with a malignancy and waited a mean of 84 days for initial surgical assessment. Of the patients seen at the RABC, 5% required investigation at more than one institution compared to 39% patients seen in the TS (p<0.0001). Cancer patients had a shorter time from presentation to surgery in the RABC (64 vs 92 days, p=0.009). Conclusion The establishment of the RABC has significantly reduced the time to surgical consultation, time to breast cancer surgery, and duplication of investigations for patients with benign and malignant breast complaints. It is feasible to introduce a EUSOMA-based breast clinic in the Canadian Health Care System and improvements in diagnostic wait times are seen. We recommend the expansion of coordinated care to other sites.

Efficacy of night-time compression for breast cancer related lymphedema (LYNC): protocol for a multi-centre, randomized controlled efficacy trial.

BACKGROUND: Lymphedema is a prevalent long-term effect of breast cancer treatment that is associated with reduced quality of life. More recent observational data suggest that the addition of night-time compression to day-time use of a compression garment results in better long-term control of arm lymphedema. The primary objectives of the randomized controlled phase of the trial are to determine the efficacy of night-time compression on arm lymphedema volume maintenance and quality of life in breast cancer survivors who have completed intensive reduction treatment for their lymphedema. METHODS/DESIGN: The study will be a parallel 3-arm, multi-centre randomized fast-track trial. A total of 120 women with breast cancer related lymphedema will be recruited from 3 centres in Canada and randomized to group 1: Day-time compression garment alone or Group 2: Day-time compression garment + night-time compression bandaging or Group 3: Day-time compression garment + use of a night-time compression system garment. The duration of the primary intervention period will be 12 weeks. The follow-up period after the intervention (weeks 13 to 24) will follow a longitudinal observational design. The primary outcome variables: differences from baseline to week 12 in arm volume and quality of life (Lymphoedema Functioning, Disability and Health Questionnaire: Lymph-ICF). Secondary outcomes include bioimpedance analysis, sleep disturbance and self-efficacy. All measurements are standardized and will be performed prior to randomization, and at weeks 6, 12, 18 and 24. DISCUSSION: The use of night-time compression as a self-management strategy for chronic breast cancer related lymphedema is seen as an innovative approach to improve long-term control over the condition. This trial aims to advance the knowledge on self-management strategies for lymphedema. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov on July 9(th), 2014 ( NCT02187289 ).

Axillary reverse mapping in breast cancer: a Canadian experience.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the axillary reverse lymphatic mapping (ARM) procedure for reducing the risk of arm lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. METHODS: The ARM procedure was carried out with a subareolar injection of technetium-99 sulfur colloid the morning of surgery, and a patent blue dye injection into the upper inner arm after anesthesia. RESULTS: Fifty-two women made up our study population. Thirty-seven patients underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and 15 patients underwent an axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for known nodal metastasis. The sentinel lymph node was identified in 36 of the 37 cases who underwent SLNB alone and in 12 of 15 patients who underwent on ALND. In 13 patients, both blue and radioactive lymph nodes or lymphatics were clearly identified (25%) and 5 patients had a clear crossover with nodes being both blue and hot. Only a single patient with crossover lymphatics had metastases present in their sentinel node. CONCLUSION: The ARM technique did not prevent identification of the SLN and we identified much greater crossover than reported. We had a single patient, who underwent a sentinel node biopsy, with mild arm lymphedema (1.9%) after 2 years of follow up.

Axillary reverse lymphatic mapping in breast cancer surgery: a comprehensive review.

Axillary reverse lymphatic mapping (ARM) is a surgical technique that was first described in 2007 as a method for preserving the lymphatic drainage of the arm during sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) or axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for breast cancer. We found that the ARM technique had several limitations that include a poor success rate for identification of arm lymph nodes (ARM nodes) and lymphatics. The occurrence of common lymphatic drainage pathways of the arm and the breast in a subset of patients also raises concerns regarding its oncological soundness. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the ARM procedure in reducing lymphedema risk in breast cancer patients that undergo a variety of treatments, has yet to be clearly defined.

Bilateral and multifocal phyllodes tumours of the breast: A case report.

Phyllodes tumours are rare breast neoplasms that present as painless breast masses. They are classified as benign, malignant and borderline. More rare presentations of these tumours include bilateral asynchronous disease and unilateral multifocal disease. Surgical excision with clear margins remains the treatment of choice for these tumours. The present case report is the first to be discussed in the literature. It describes a patient presenting with synchronous bilateral, multifocal breast phyllodes tumours who underwent immediate reconstruction with tissue expanders at the time of her mastectomies.

The surgical management of granulomatous mastitis.

Granulomatous mastitis is an inflammatory breast condition of unknown etiology. Management remains controversial and treatment algorithms are lacking from the literature. Few resources exist that discuss breast reconstruction following extirpation. This descriptive case series reviews the clinicopathologic features of granulomatous mastitis.We describe the surgical management undertaken at our institution including General and Plastic Surgery procedures. Eleven clinical charts and histologic slides of biopsy specimens were reviewed in our health region between 1992 and 2007. Demographic data, clinical presentation, and radiologic findings were tabulated. Treatment consisted of empirical antibiotics and surgical excision. Procedures performed included incision and drainage (n = 8), excisional biopsy (n = 15), partial mastectomy (n = 5), partial mastectomy with reduction mammaplasty (n = 2), and mastectomy with TRAM flap reconstruction (n = 1).Treatment was successful in all but one case. Multiple surgeries for recurrent lesions were often required to achieve final remission. Following extirpation, we recommend delayed breast reconstruction to monitor for recurrence.