Percutaneous radiofrequency-assisted excision of fibroadenomas

Fibroadenomas are a frequently encountered benign tumor that will occur in approximately 10% of women during their lifetime. Although the natural history would suggest fibroadenomas diagnosed with minimally invasive needle core biopsy can be safely observed, the majority are still surgically removed in the operating room. In an effort to limit the more than 500,000 surgical fibroadenoma removals performed each year, percutaneous excision has become a viable alternative. Percutaneous excision of intact fibroadenomas versus removal with a multiple core sampling technique has the dual potential advantage of causing minimal intervention combined with provision of adequate sample for thorough histopathology and margin analysis for confirmation of complete removal. An 18-month retrospective analysis was undertaken to evaluate the utilization of a new radiofrequency-assisted biopsy device in the successful removal and continued absence of histologically confirmed fibroadenomas on 4- to 6-month follow-up imaging.

Between April 2004 and November 2005, 100 patients underwent ultrasound- or stereotactic-guided, radiofrequency-assisted intact percutaneous excision of 106 diagnosed fibroadenomas of the breast. Patients were comprised of 100 women whose ages ranged from 18-70 years (median age, 45 years).

Indications for the procedure included palpable mass, 77; abnormal mammogram, 13; and abnormal ultrasound, 10, as the patient's initial presentation. Ultrasound was used to guide the procedure in 82 patients, and stereotactic was used in 18 patients. One early study procedure was performed under general anesthesia; the remaining studies were performed under local anesthesia (1% lidocaine) using from 10 to 45 mL. On pathologic examination, the tumors ranged in size from 6 to 27 mm (mean diameter, 14 mm) and weighed from 0.6 to 2.0 g (mean weight, 1.0 g). Patients reported minimum discomfort related to the procedure; pain scores ranged from 0 to 10 (mean pain score, <1). Complications were minimal, with only 2 patients having bleeding, which was controlled by conservative measures. At the 4- to 6-month follow-up, 79 of 85 (93%) evaluable patients showed no physical or imaging evidence of residual fibroadenoma, an additional 5 patients have reported no physical findings or further complaints and have required no further need for medical evaluation, 8 have been lost to follow-up, and 2 have yet to be reevaluated.

Percutaneous ultrasound- or stereotactic-guided, radiofrequency-assisted excision of fibroadenomas of the breast may be performed in an ambulatory setting under local anesthesia. The procedure provides intact specimens that in most cases appear to be completely removed after follow-up of 4 to 6 months. The procedure is well tolerated by patients and is associated with minimal complications.