OBJECTIVE: To confirm whether fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) can avoid close monitoring, a source of worry for women patients with a suspected fibroadenoma found by ultrasound, and requiring their compliance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over 39months, 427 nodules with a diagnosis of fibroadenoma were sampled in 372 patients using ultrasound-guided FNAB. The sonographic appearance of all the nodules suggested BI-RADS category 3 fibroadenomas. The mean size of the fibroadenomas was 9mm. The mean duration of follow-up was 29.7months. RESULTS: Seven nodules had atypical cytology: a microbiopsy and/or excision found a simple fibroadenoma (n=3), mastitis (n=1), a fibroadenoma associated with a papilloma (n=1), fibrosis (n=1) and normal tissue (n=1). Seven other nodules were resected during treatment for synchronous cancer, and were diagnosed as fibroadenomas. Two hundred and seventy-six nodules were followed-up (121 patients were lost to follow-up [n=132]) and the appearance of 263 nodules (95.29%) was stable. Seven nodules, which had increased in size, underwent another FNAB or microbiopsy or surgery. Five nodules were not found again. The borders of one nodule showed modifications. CONCLUSION: The use of fine needle aspiration biopsy, interpreted by an experienced cytologist, means that short term follow-up of fibroadenomas can be avoided.
Leconte, I., Abraham, C., Galant, C., Sy, N. M., Berlière, M., & Fellah, L. (2012). Fibroadenoma: can fine needle aspiration biopsy avoid short term follow-up? Diagnostic & Interventional Imaging, 93(10), 750-756. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diii.2012.04.023 (Original work published 2012)