Evangelia Mareti1, Anastasia Vatopoulou2, Georgia-Alexandra Spyropoulou3, Anastasios Papanastasiou1, Georgios Chrysostomos Pratilas1, Anastasios Liberis1, Emmanouil Hatzipantelis4, Konstantinos Dinas1. 1. 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. 2. 3rd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. 3. Department of Plastic Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. 4. Paediatric Haematology Oncology Unit, 2nd Paediatric Department of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Adolescence is accompanied by a variety of changes in young breast development, which greatly affects the adolescent's psychology and socialization. SUMMARY: PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies relative to epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and management of all breast disorders in adolescence and their consequences. Development disorders are breast asymmetry, breast atrophy, breast hypoplasia, hypomastia, juvenile breast hypertrophy, and tuberous breast. Breast congenital abnormalities include athelia, amastia, accessory breast tissue, polymastia, polythelia, and congenital disorders of nipples. Breast infections are commonly caused from Gram-positive coccus rather than Gram-negative bacteria. Breast abscess occurs when breast infections are not promptly treated. Nipple discharge is caused by a variety of conditions and should be managed carefully. Fibrocystic changes, cysts, and fibroadenomas are the most common benign masses in adolescence. Primary, secondary, or metastatic breast cancer is extremely rare in adolescence. However, clinicians should include breast cancer in the differential diagnosis of a breast mass in adolescence. KEY MESSAGES: Clinicians should be aware of all breast disorders that may occur in adolescence. Early diagnosis and treatment will result in the reassurance of adolescents and their families without any detrimental effect on their psychology, sexual behavior, and socialization. Adolescents with breast disorders may require a multidisciplinary approach by a pediatrician, a gynecologist specializing in pediatric-adolescent gynecology, a plastic surgeon, and a psychologist for the best management of breast disorders.
BACKGROUND: Adolescence is accompanied by a variety of changes in young breast development, which greatly affects the adolescent's psychology and socialization. SUMMARY: PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies relative to epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and management of all breast disorders in adolescence and their consequences. Development disorders are breast asymmetry, breast atrophy, breast hypoplasia, hypomastia, juvenile breast hypertrophy, and tuberous breast. Breast congenital abnormalities include athelia, amastia, accessory breast tissue, polymastia, polythelia, and congenital disorders of nipples. Breast infections are commonly caused from Gram-positive coccus rather than Gram-negative bacteria. Breast abscess occurs when breast infections are not promptly treated. Nipple discharge is caused by a variety of conditions and should be managed carefully. Fibrocystic changes, cysts, and fibroadenomas are the most common benign masses in adolescence. Primary, secondary, or metastatic breast cancer is extremely rare in adolescence. However, clinicians should include breast cancer in the differential diagnosis of a breast mass in adolescence. KEY MESSAGES: Clinicians should be aware of all breast disorders that may occur in adolescence. Early diagnosis and treatment will result in the reassurance of adolescents and their families without any detrimental effect on their psychology, sexual behavior, and socialization. Adolescents with breast disorders may require a multidisciplinary approach by a pediatrician, a gynecologist specializing in pediatric-adolescent gynecology, a plastic surgeon, and a psychologist for the best management of breast disorders.