Non-malignant breast masses in an african population

The clinical manifestation of non-malignant breast masses in an African population is presented. The pattern of disease is affected by many factors, among which are social habits, poverty, and ignorance. The problems of diagnosis and treatment are discussed. Ulcerating benign masses simulate advanced malignancies and no hasty conclusion should be made on the latter without histological proof or evidence of distant metastases. There may be an indication for mammary amputation in some diseased pendulous breasts.