MAMMARY HAMARTOMA - IS CLINICAL-DIAGNOSIS POSSIBLE

Mammary hamartoma is a rare benign lesion of the female breast. Diagno sis is usually made by either radiological and or histological means. Clinical diagnosis has been reported to be difficult. Between December 1994 and Tune 1995, three patients were found to have mammary hamarto mas. All of them presented with breast lump greater than 6 cm in size. All hamartomas were well-delineated, soft and lobulated. Mammogram in these patients showed typical radiological 'breast in the breast' app earance of mammary hamartoma. A correct clinical diagnosis of mammary hamartoma was made in the third patient after the experience of manage ment gained through the first two patients with mammary hamartoma. We believe that clinical diagnosis of mammary hamartoma is possible with both awareness of and experience of examining patients with this rare disease.