Diagnosis and treatment of granulomatous mastitis

Granulomatous mastitis is a benign inflammatory breast disease of unknown etiology. Although it is rare, it frequently presents in a manner similar to that of breast carcinoma. Surgical resection of the affected tissue has often been the method of treatment, but many patients have experienced recurrences. Corticosteroids have also been used, but the initiation of this therapy is often limited by concerns related to the presence of an infectious etiology. Presented here are two cases that demonstrate the efficacy of corticosteroids in this condition after appropriate evaluation is performed.