Management of paraffinoma of the breast: 10 years' experience

Paraffin injection was regarded as a simple and effective method of improvi ng body contour. It was widely used in breast augmentation until the long-t erm complication of paraffinoma was recognised. Paraffinoma of the breast c an present as a spectrum of disease ranging from a painless mass to a destr uctive ulcer simulating breast cancer. This makes it difficult to make the correct diagnosis and provide suitable treatment. Eight patients with paraf finoma of the breast have been managed at a teaching hospital over a 10 yea r period. All were females, with a mean age of 65.6 years (range: 57-73 yea rs). The average time between paraffin injection and the onset of symptoms was 24 years (range: 11-30 years). These patients have been followed up for between 3 and 10 years (mean: 6.1 years). One patient died of congestive h eart failure 4 years after bilateral mastectomy for painful paraffinomas of the breasts. Another patient had a coexisting infiltrative ductal carcinom a of the breast. The clinical presentations, radiological appearances, hist opathological features and the treatment are discussed. (C) 2001 The Britis h Association of Plastic Surgeons.