Benign Disorders of the Breast in Pregnancy and Lactation

Surgical management of a giant fibroadenoma during lactation

Fibroadenomas are the most common breast lesion in women of reproductive age. During pregnancy and lactation, fibroadenomas can undergo rapid growth in response to hormonal stimulus. These changes may prompt further investigation and/or intervention due to the risk of an underlying phyllodes tumour. We present a case of a female patient who underwent surgical excision of a giant fibroepithelial lesion at 4 months post partum while continuing to breastfeed. The lesion was successfully excised while maintaining lactation. A postoperative milk fistula resolved with non-operative management. There is limited literature on the surgical management of breast lesions in lactating women. This case illuminates the surgical management of breast lesions in an often well informed group of patients who may choose to have surgery while lactating in spite of the increased risk of complications. This case also highlights the need for a holistic approach to maintain the overall health of mother and child.

Approach to the growing breast lump during lactation

Physiological changes during pregnancy and lactation result in increased lumpiness of the breast. This makes the evaluation of the breast challenging. Although most self-detected lumps, during this period, tend to be benign, the priority in these patients is to exclude tumours that may require prompt management. We present a case of phyllodes tumour that occurred during lactation and discussed the resultant pitfalls that may occur during the triple assessment of a breast lump in a lactating mother.

Management of nipple adenomas during pregnancy: a case report

BACKGROUND

Nipple adenoma is a very uncommon, benign neoplasm that involves the nipple. A palpable mass of the nipple associated with nipple discharge and erosion or ulceration is the common clinical presentation. Generally, complete surgical excision of the nipple is the main treatment, alternative therapeutic methods such as Mohs micrographic surgery, nipple splitting enucleation, and cryotherapy can be considered. Disorders of the breast in young women are generally benign. Even if the management during pregnancy is usually conservative and surgical excision is reserved for very strong malignancy suspicion, benign lesions can cause the impossibility to breastfeed after giving birth when involving the nipple.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present the case of a 28-year-old female, who was referred to the Breast Unit of the University Hospital of Modena (Italy) in May 2020 with a 12-months history of enlargement of the left nipple with associated erythema, serohemorrhagic discharge, and pain in the left nipple region. The diagnostic assessment came out in favor of a nipple adenoma. After surgical treatment was recommended, the patient got pregnant. Taking into account the major risks of surgery during pregnancy, a multidisciplinary discussion was conducted, to consider whether to proceed with surgery or postpone it after pregnancy. Because of the volume and the position of the adenoma, the indication for surgical excision was confirmed, to allow regular lactation and breastfeeding immediately after giving birth and to avoid potential obstructive complications. Surgical excision of nipple adenoma without complete resection of the nipple was performed after her first trimester of pregnancy under local anesthesia. A histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. No recurrence occurred after 12 months. The patient gave birth, had no deficit in lactation, and successfully breastfed.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, we consider that nipple adenoma enucleation might be a safe treatment even during pregnancy. Moreover, conservative local treatment of nipple adenomas can preserve the nipple aesthetically and functionally, thus allowing regular lactation and breastfeeding in young women.

Giant Lactating Adenoma With Fibroadenomated Changes

Lactating adenomas (LAs) are uncommon benign breast tumors that typically occur in the late pregnancy or lactation period and are among the most prevalent breast lesions during puerperium. They commonly present with a painless, rapidly growing, large, mobile breast lump either late in pregnancy or the postpartum period. Despite being a condition, a core biopsy is almost always required to exclude malignancy. We are presenting a case of a 34-year-old patient who was referred to our unit with a progressive increase in size of the pre-existing right breast lump that has been there before pregnancy. Due to the massive increase in size in a short period, the lump was removed shortly after delivery with an acceptable cosmetic outcome.