TUMORS OF THE BREAST IN ADOLESCENT FEMALES

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Abstract
Ninety-five patients, 12 to 21 years of age, had tumors of the breast removed during a 10-year period. Fibroadenomas were found in 94% and none of the tumors were malignant. Symptoms were rarely of a degree to cause the patient to seek medical advice, and the tumors were usually found by the physician during the course of a complete physical examination. Laboratory procedures have not been effective in differentiating the types of tumors preoperatively in the adolescent age group. Careful physical examination remains the greatest diagnostic tool. Many girls who discover the tumor themselves erroneously assume it is malignant and may postpone medical examination due to fear or because they dread an assumed postoperative appearance. We advocate early discussion of the problem with the adolescent girl and teach her to examine her own breasts once a month. Hopefully, our program will prevent psychological trauma should she develop a mammary tumor.

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