Interstitial laser photocoagulation for fibroadenomas of the breast

Fibroadenomas are benign lesions of the breast that are common in young wom en. Most can safely be treated conservatively, but if they are not excised, the majority persist for several years and some increase in size. Intersti tial Laser Photocoagulation is a new approach to treating these lesions. Un der local anaesthesia and sedation, using ultrasound guidance, fine needles are inserted into the fibroadenoma and a laser fibre passed through each n eedle to coagulate the lesion in situ. Twenty-nine lesions (diameter 14-35 mm) have been treated in 24 patients. Twenty eight (97%) shrank in size on follow up ultrasound assessment. Fourteen were followed for a year, at whic h time none was palpable and only one could still be detected on ultrasound . In early cases there were three minor complications (a small scar at a si te of needle insertion), later prevented by improved technique. This is a s imple and safe outpatient procedure for ablating fibroadenomas that does no t require open surgery.