Pediatric breast masses: an argument for observation.
Cory M McLaughlin1, Jessica Gonzalez-Hernandez1, Monica Bennett2
1Department of Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center, Baylor Scott & White Health, Dallas, Texas.
The Journal of Surgical Research
|June 17, 2018
Summary
Pediatric breast masses are typically benign. This study found that asymptomatic breast lesions in children can be safely managed nonoperatively, with surgery decisions individualized rather than based on size alone.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Oncology
- Radiology
Background:
- Pediatric breast masses present diagnostic challenges, with most being benign.
- There is no established consensus on the surgical management of pediatric breast masses.
- This study investigated the safety and efficacy of nonoperative management for asymptomatic pediatric breast lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of nonoperative management for asymptomatic pediatric breast masses.
- To determine if lesion size correlates with malignancy risk in pediatric breast masses.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for the management of pediatric breast lesions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of pediatric patients (≤18 years) who underwent breast mass excision from 2008 to 2016.
- Exclusion of male patients with gynecomastia and those who had needle biopsy without formal excision.
- Statistical analysis including Pearson correlation for size comparison and Kruskal-Wallis test for diagnosis comparison.
Main Results:
- 196 patients were included, predominantly female (96%), with a mean age of 15 years.
- Fibroadenoma was the most common benign diagnosis (81.5%); no malignant lesions were found.
- Ultrasound size accurately correlated with pathologic size (Pearson correlation 0.84, P < 0.0001), with no size-diagnosis association.
Conclusions:
- All pediatric breast masses surgically removed over 9 years were benign, most commonly fibroadenoma.
- Ultrasound is a reliable size predictor, but larger lesions do not indicate higher malignancy risk.
- Observation is suitable for asymptomatic pediatric breast masses; surgical decisions should be individualized, not solely based on size.
Related Concept Videos
02:30Naturalistic Observations
17.5K
If you want to understand how behavior occurs, one of the best ways to gain information is to simply observe the behavior in its natural context. However, people might change their behavior in unexpected ways if they know they are being observed. How do researchers obtain accurate information when people tend to hide their natural behavior? As an example, imagine that your professor asks everyone in your class to raise their hand if they always wash their hands after using the restroom. Chances...
17.5K
01:11Observational Studies
11.1K
Observational studies are a type of analytical study where researchers observe events without any interventions. In other words, the researcher does not influence the response variable or the experiment's outcome.
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
Prospective studies, also known as longitudinal or cohort studies, are carried out by collecting future data from groups sharing similar characteristics. One...
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
Prospective studies, also known as longitudinal or cohort studies, are carried out by collecting future data from groups sharing similar characteristics. One...
11.1K
01:12Observational Learning
1.0K
Albert Bandura's observational learning, also known as imitation or modeling, occurs when a person observes and imitates another's behavior. It is a quicker process than operant conditioning. A well-known example is the Bobo doll study, where children who saw an adult acting aggressively towards the doll were more likely to act aggressively when left alone, compared to those who observed a nonaggressive adult. Many psychologists view observational learning as a form of latent learning...
1.0K
01:52Atomic Mass
70.4K
Atoms — and the protons, neutrons, and electrons that compose them — are extremely small. For example, a carbon atom weighs less than 2 × 10−23 g. When describing the properties of tiny objects such as atoms, we use appropriately small units of measure, such as the atomic mass unit (amu). The amu was originally defined based on hydrogen, the lightest element, then later in terms of oxygen. Since 1961, it has been defined with regard to the most abundant isotope of carbon, atoms of which...
70.4K
01:23Actor-Observer Effect
404
The actor-observer effect, a cognitive bias closely linked to the fundamental attribution error, refers to the tendency for individuals to attribute their behavior to external, situational factors while explaining others’ behavior in terms of internal, dispositional traits. This asymmetry in attribution significantly influences social perception and judgment.Cognitive Mechanisms Behind the EffectTwo primary psychological mechanisms contribute to the actor-observer effect: differences in...
404
01:54Molar Mass
87.0K
The identity of a substance is defined not only by the types of atoms or ions it contains but by the quantity of each type of atom or ion. For example, water, H2O, and hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, are alike in that their respective molecules are composed of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. However, because a hydrogen peroxide molecule contains two oxygen atoms, as opposed to the water molecule, which has only one, the two substances exhibit very different properties.
87.0K