Surgical management of large breast tumors in the adolescent

The management of adolescent females with giant cystosarcoma phylloides remains controversial. Since in this age group the overwhelming majority of these neoplasms are benign, aesthetic outcome is as important as adequate tumor resection. Traditional, treatment has been wide local excision, which may lead to substantial breast deformity. In addition, inadequate planning with improper incision placement may result in visible scarring and impair immediate or subsequent breast reconstruction. The treatment of four adolescent females with large breast masses using breast-sparing techniques is discussed.