Granulomatous mastitis. Our experience about diagnosis and treatment

Granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM), also known as idiopathic granulomatous lobular mastitis or granulomatous lobulitis is a rare inflammatory breast disease. Kessler and Wolloch first described this disease in 1972 and until 2003 only 120 cases were reported in the world literature. On this reports, there were no data about the incidence of this pathology on the population, given its rarity. The discussion about its likely etiology is often conflicting, as several agents have been implied. However, there are no scientific evidences of such agents. The varieties of the clinical features and symptoms duration reflects the heterogeneity of this entity. Clinical features and complementary exams may simulate breast cancer or any other granulomatous pathology. In order to obtain a precise diagnosis, it is necessary to exclude those pathologies. The studies propose several ways of treatment. However, consent has not being reached yet. Much is based on a small knowledge about the disease, as for instance of its etiology. We present a retrospective study on our case series of 18 cases treated in our Breast Unit from January 2000 to December 2013 describing their clinical management, imaging and histopathology, and considering the possible treatments.