The excision of breast lesion with using ultrasound-guided Mammotome® is currently used for both the treatment and diagnosis of benign lesions. However sonographic evidence for tumor removal by Mammotome® excision does not confirm histological clearance of the resection margin. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided Mammotome® for the removal of fibroadenomas by performing histological examination of an additional margin biopsy.

From March 2003 to May 2005, percutaneous removals of fibroadenoma with using ultrasono-guided Mammotome® biopsy were performed for 167 fibroadenomas in 154 women. Margin biopsies were additionally done after complete excision was achieved via ultrasonography. Histological evaluation was performed for these specimens. The patients were scheduled for follow-up ultrasound examination at 6 months.

The mean tumor diameter was 1.32±0.54 cm. 45 (26.9%) lesions of the 167 lesions showed histological remained fibroadenoma on margin biopsies. The risk factors for remnant lesions were the age of a patient and the size of a lesion. No further ultrasonographic evidence of tumors was noted for 96.9% of the lesions at 6 months.

Although the breast fibroadenoma is a common benign breast tumor, the treatment and follow-up for these lesions is still debatable. We suggest that excision of breast lesion using ultrasound-guided Mammotome® can be used as minimally invasive surgery for fibroadenoma. If a lesion is larger than 2cm in a young woman, the physician should be careful to achieve enough excision for a complete removal of tumor.