Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: challenges of treatment in iranian women

As a chronic inflammatory disease of an unknown origin, the treatment of granulomatous mastitis has always been controversial. According to some researchers, surgical treatment and certain medications, especially steroids, are more effective in treating the disease. This study aimed at evaluating the results of treatment in a group of patients with granulomatous mastitis.

This longitudinal cohort study evaluated the treatment outcomes of 87 patients with pathology-confirmed granulomatous mastitis referred to the surgical clinic of Central Hospital in Sari, Iran. Demographic, clinical, and pathological information, treatment methods and results, and the recurrence rate were analyzed.

A total of 87 female patients with granulomatous mastitis aged 22-52 years with a mean age of 34 years were evaluated. All patients had palpable masses; the breast masses were painful in 48.3% of patients, and 55.2% of patients suffered from erythema and inflammation, and8% had fistulas and ulcers at the inflammation site. The patients were followed-up for an average duration of 26 months (8-48 months) after treatment and recovery. The overall recurrence rate was 24.1%, and the recurrence rate was 29.4% in patients underwent surgery, 34.8% in patients received high-dose prednisolone, and 17% in those received low-dose prednisolone together with drainage (p < 0.001).

According to the results, the low-dose prednisolone plus drainage was more effective with a lower recurrence rate than only surgical excision or high-dose prednisolone. In fact, the use of minimally invasive methods such as drainage plus low-dose steroids is a more effective method with fewer side effects than the other two methods.