IS Case 437: Breast hamartoma (fibroadenolipoma)

Jeremy Sykes, MD

University of Rochester

Imaging Sciences URMC 2010
Publication Date: 2010-08-30

History

A 56 year-old female presented for annual screening mammography.

Findings

See images

Diagnosis

Breast hamartoma (fibroadenolipoma)

Discussion

Hamartomas, which are often thought of as a "breast within a breast," are rare benign masses that may be palpable in approximately 75% of cases. These contain all of the components of a normal breast, including ducts, lobules, fibrous tissue and fat. The classical appearance is that of glandular and fatty tissue surrounded by a capsule. Size is often between 3-5 cm. Of note, it is possible for breast cancer to arise from the glandular elements of the lesion. The proportion of fatty to glandular tissue varies among lesions. No further work-up is required for such lesions once identified.

References

  1. Cardenosa G. Breast Imaging Companion, 3rd Ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2008: 392-394.
  2. Kopans DB. Breast Imaging, 2nd Ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1997: 558-560.
  3. Weissleder R. Primer of Diagnostic Imaging, 4th Ed. Mosby Elsevier, 2007: 752.

2 images