J Korean Soc Med Ultrasound.  2002 Dec;21(4):317-324.

Fibroadenomas of the Breast Showing an Ill-defined Margin on Ultrasonogram: Correlation with Histopathologic Findings

• Hwang JY
• Choi HY
• Shim SS
• Rhee CS
• Sung SH

Abstract

PURPOSE: To correlate the sonographic findings of ill-defined fibroadenoma with the histopathologic findings.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sonographic findings of forty nine surgically proven fibroadenomas were retrospectively correlated with histopathologic findings. We evaluated sonographic findings including the margin, shape, size and the echotexture of fibroadenoma. The histopathologic glandular structure, stromal type of fibroadenoma, type of the surrounding breast tissue and presence of interdigitation between fibroadenoma and the surrounding breast tissue were pathologically reviewed and analyzed statistically.
RESULTS
Breast sonography of fibroadenomas demonstrated well-defined margins in 28 (57%) and ill-defined margins in 21 (43%) among 49 lesions. Histopathologically, the glandular structure and type of the surrounding breast tissue were not significantly different between well-defined and ill-defined fibroadenomas. The stromal type of fibroadenoma was sclerotic in 8 (29%) of 28 well-defined fibroadenomas while sclerotic in 15 (72%) of 21 ill-defined fibroadenomas, showing difference with a statistical significance between well-defined and ill-defined fibroadenomas (p< 0.05). Twenty (71%) of 28 fibroadenomas with well-defined sonographic margins showed well-defined border between mass and the surrounding breast tissue, pathologically. Meanwhile, twenty (95%) of 21 fibroadenomas with ill-defined sonographic margins demonstrated interdigitation of the surrounding breast tissue and mass, exhibiting a statistical significance (p< 0.005).
CONCLUSION
Ill-defined margins of fibroadenomas on sonography represent the interdigitation of the surrounding breast tissue with a mass and is seen in the sclerotic stromal type of fibroadenomas.

MeSH Terms

Breast Neoplasms
Breast*
Fibroadenoma*
Retrospective Studies
Ultrasonography*