Hamartoma of the breast

Hamartoma is a rare benign breast tumor. Between 1995 and 2001, eight breast hamartomas (0.058%) were identified from 13608 mammographic examinations. All patients had typical mammographic features: oval-shaped masses with smooth margin and mixed density. The age at detection ranged between 27 and 52 years old. Seven of them presented with a palpable painless lump. Tumor size varied between 2.2 x 1.7 and 13.0 x 7.0 cm. Sonographic appearance was variable and non-diagnostic. In four tumors, malignancy was suspected by sonogram and cytological result by fine needle aspiration showed negative result. Three patients received surgical excision for cosmetic reason. Histopathology proved hamartoma. Awareness of the characteristic mammographic manifestations of this kind of tumor may obviate the unnecessary procedures.