A prospective survey of 225 patients carried out over a period of 7years (1992 - 1999) to determine the pattern and outcome of benign breast diseases. Two hundred and seventeen (96.4%) were females and 8 males, with the age ranging from 14-63 years, mean 28.7 SD+10.6 years. The mean age for patients with fibroadenoma was 24 years and 31.6 years for fibrocystic disease of the breast. One hundred and ninety six patients (87.2%) presented with breast lumps or mass, non-menstrual cycle and menstrual cycle related pain in 39(17.3%) and 32(13%) patients respectively and nipple discharge in 60 patients (26.7%). Mean duration of symptoms was 0.91+0.64 years, 2 + 1.2 weeks for inflammatory lesions and 0.86 + 0.56 yers for benign tumours and also menstrual cycle related breast pain. Right side was involved in 162 patients (72%), 85(38%) left side and 77(34.2%) bilateral. Clinical diagnosis was fibrocystic disease 96(42.7%). Fibroadenoma 89 (39.5%), inflammatory conditions 35(15.7%), galactocele in 9(40%) and gynaecomastia in 7(3%) of the patients. Excisional or incisional biopsy was carried out in 197 patients (87.5%), antibiotic and analgestic administration in 35(15.6%) and 29(13%), respectively. Histopathologic analysis showed fibroadenoma in 91 (46.2%), fibrocystic disease 83 (42.2%), and others in 23 (11.6%) cases. The mean follow-up period was 10 months for tumours and I month for others. Postoperative complications were infrequent, there were recurrence either on the ipsilateral or contralateral breast in 10(4.4%) patients of which 3(1.3%) cases were malignant.
Conclusion: Fibroadenoma was the most common benign breast disease, followed by fibrocystic disease of the breast. Postoperative complications were uncommon.