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BACKGROUND: Fibroadenoma (FA) is the most common tumor found in young women, although it can occur in any age group. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) that is confined in a FA is rare; it is most frequently reported as an incidental finding. CASE SUMMARY: We report a case of DCIS within a FA in a 46-year-old female without cancer-related personal and family histories. The patient was diagnosed with a breast conglomerate of nodules and was followed for 1 year. In the current control image study, we found suspicious microcalcification, as a new finding, within one of the nodules. Consequently, a core biopsy of the tumor, which appeared hypoechoic, oval, and circumscribed, was performed. The pathological diagnosis was ductal carcinoma in situ within a fibroepithelial lesion. The patient underwent breast-conserving surgery and received radiotherapy as well as endocrine therapy (tamoxifen). CONCLUSION: We recommend a multidisciplinary approach for adequate treatment and follow-up.

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Resumen OBJETIVO: Identificar los principales hallazgos histopatológicos benignos y determinar la tasa de falsos positivos que suelen causar conflicto al categorizar las mastografías en el sistema BI-RADS por su aspecto, que puede simular un proceso maligno. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de cohorte, retrospectivo, efectuado en pacientes atendidas en la Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad 4 Luis Castelazo Ayala (2019-2023) con reporte mastográfico alterado o sospecha clínica de malignidad. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó el programa JASP 2.0 y χ2 para la diferencia de proporciones entre grupos. RESULTADOS: De un grupo de 11,481 pacientes, se reportaron 1643 mastografías alteradas: 444 con reportes falsos positivos, 23 pacientes con sospecha clínica y exclusión de 16 que no cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión establecidos. La muestra poblacional estudiada fue de 451 pacientes. La mayoría permaneció asintomática al momento del estudio (42.1%). El hallazgo histopatológico benigno con mayor prevalencia fue el fibroadenoma y su síntoma más relevante el nódulo palpable. La tasa de falsos positivos fue de 4.3%. CONCLUSIONES: En la actualidad, gracias a la implementación de programas de tamizaje es posible establecer diagnósticos de cáncer de mama en etapas tempranas, aunque con la desventaja que el reporte puede resultar falso positivo y ello dar lugar a incremento de la morbilidad y sobretratamiento. Los estándares internacionales indican que estos no deben sobrepasar el 10%.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To identify the main benign histopathological findings that often cause conflict when categorizing mastographies in the BI-RADS system due to their appearance, which may simulate a malignant process and false positive rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study carried out in patients attended at the Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad 4 Luis Castelazo Ayala (2019-2023) with an altered mastographic report or clinical suspicion of malignancy. For statistical analysis we used the JASP 2.0 programme and χ2 for the difference in proportions between groups. RESULTS: From a group of 11,481 patients, 1,643 altered mastograms were reported: 444 with false positive reports, 23 patients with clinical suspicion and exclusion of 16 who did not meet the established inclusion criteria. The population sample studied was 451 patients. The majority remained asymptomatic at the time of the study (42.1%). The most prevalent benign histopathological finding was fibroadenoma and the most relevant symptom was a palpable nodule. The false positive rate was 4.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, thanks to the implementation of screening programmes it is possible to establish breast cancer diagnoses in early stages, although with the disadvantage that the report may be false positive and this may lead to increased morbidity and overtreatment. International standards indicate that these should not exceed 10%.

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Phyllodes tumor (PT) is considered a rare fibroepithelial tumor. Very few series have been reported in children and adolescents. Based on histopathological features, it can be classified as benign, borderline, or malignant, with the latter having a more aggressive clinical behavior. We report the case of a 10-year-old female who began with an asymptomatic mobile right breast mass. An initial fine needle biopsy (FNB) concluded fibroadenoma (FA). Months later, the mass kept growing, with the appearance of pain and nipple discharge. Benign PT was demonstrated in a new biopsy. A total mastectomy was performed. The post-surgical histopathological examination was compatible with a borderline PT. The patient is now symptom-free and with no signs of relapse. Not all breast masses in the pediatric or adolescent age bracket are FA. Attention is warranted when the clinical behavior does not follow the usual outline. PT has to be considered as a possible diagnosis and treated accordingly.

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Purpose: To determine molecular events involved in the tumorigenesis of phyllodes tumors (PT) and the role of each stromal (SC) and epithelial (EC) cell. Methods: Frozen breast samples enriched with epithelial and stromal cells from three fibroadenomas and 14 PT were retrieved and laser microdissected. Sanger and polymerase chain reaction-based sequencing of exon 2 MED12 and TERT promoter hotspot mutations were performed; 44K microarray platform was used to analyze gene expression. Results: All three fibroadenomas (FAs) presented mutations in MED12, but not in TERT, whose mutation was observed in five of the 14 PTs. EC and SC of each affected tumor displayed identical alterations. Of the total differentially expressed genes (DEG) (EC = 1,543 and SC = 850), 984 were EC-eDEGs and 291 were SC-eDEGs. We found a high similarity of diseases and functions enriched by both cell types, but dissimilarity in the number of enriched canonical pathways. Three signaling canonical pathways overlapping with EC and SC were predicted to be activated in one cell type and inactivated in the other, while no overlap in eDEGs was assigned to them. We also identified 13 EC-eDEGs and five SC-eDEGs enriched networks, in which the SC-eDEGs were able to segregate FA from PT samples. Conclusions: Identical TERT mutations from both SC and ES origins might affect the PTs tumorigenesis. Gene expression differences suggest coordinated molecular processes between these components with determinant differences acquired by SC, able to fully distinguish PTs from FAs lesions.

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Breast myofibroblastoma is a rare benign neoplasm of mesenchymal origin with fibroblastic and myofibroblastic characterizations. Myofibroblastoma has a higher incidence in men between the ages of 50 and 70 years and is less common in women. It is described as a solitary, unilateral, painless and mobile tumor, with a firm consistency and slow growth. Microscopically, it is a non-encapsulated tumor, with lobular growth, consisting of spindle cells organized in short, intersecting fascicles and interrupted by bundles of hyalinized collagen. On ultrasound, it can manifest as a hypoechoic solid mass, well circumscribed, homogeneous and similar to fibroadenoma; whereas, on mammography, a single, well-defined, rounded or discretely lobulated lesion can be observed, without calcifications. We report here the case of a 58-year-old patient with no previous breast complaints, who presented with changes in ultrasound and mammography examinations performed for breast cancer screening. The examinations revealed a suspicious lump in the left breast, classified as BIRADS 4C. Core biopsy described a low-grade spindle cell neoplasm, showing no signs of invasion, with immunohistochemistry results suggesting myofibroblastoma. As treatment, a sectorectomy was performed, and the reevaluated material confirmed the diagnosis of myofibroblastoma due to the positive expression of the markers calponin, CD34, BCL2 and CD99. (AU)

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El fibroadenoma es una neoplasia benigna usualmente localizada en mama. Su localización vulvar es extremadamente rara, con publicación de pocos casos. Su origen es incierto y muy debatible, en tanto se piensa que puede originarse de un tejido mamario ectópico vulvar o de glándulas anogenitales similares a las de tejido mamario que existen normalmente. Se presenta un caso inusual de fibroadenoma vulvar en una mujer de 29 años que durante dos años evidenció tumoración a nivel de la vulva que le producía dispareunia y sangrado poscoital. A nivel del labio mayor de la vulva se extirpó un tumor bien delimitado de 3 x 2 x 2 cm, blanquecino, de consistencia firme. En la microscopia se observó un fibroadenoma que por inmunohistoquímica mostró positividad para receptores de estrógeno y progesterona.

Fibroadenoma is a benign neoplasm usually located in the breast. Its vulvar location is extremely rare, with few cases published. Its origin is uncertain and highly debatable, as it is thought that it may originate from vulvar ectopic breast tissue or from anogenital glands similar to normally existing breast tissue. An unusual case of vulvar fibroadenoma is presented in a 29-year-old woman who for two years presented with a vulvar lump that caused dyspareunia and postcoital bleeding. At the level of the labium majus of the vulva, a well-demarcated tumor measuring 3 x 2 x 2 cm, whitish, with a firm consistency was excised. Microscopy showed a fibroadenoma which by immunohistochemistry showed positivity for estrogen and progesterone receptors.

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Dermatitis neglecta, a condition that results from inadequate skin cleansing, is still little reported in the literature and underreported. Although benign, it is aesthetically uncomfortable. It is associated with conditions that lead to fear of sanitizing a given region and may be related to psychiatric and neurological disorders. This observational study consisted of the case report of a patient followed up in a University Hospital in northeastern Brazil, with the objective of demonstrating the rare association between dermatitis neglecta and breast fibroadenoma. A young patient with a history of depressive disorder had crusted and hyperpigmented skin lesions covering the left breast and massive tumor in the same breast. The patient was oriented regarding the cleaning and removal of crusts, resulting in good clinical response. She underwent excision of the tumor, and the anatomopathological study was compatible with fibroadenoma. Interdisciplinary follow-up, including treatment for psychiatric disorder, was fundamental for the patient's recovery, considering the improvement of her mood after establishing the therapy and successful final breast reconstruction. Dermatitis neglecta can resemble other types of dermatitis, in such a way that it is essential to establish a differential diagnosis to avoid unnecessary evaluation procedures, interventions, and therapies. In this exuberant case of dermatitis neglecta, the importance of comprehensive health care is emphasized."

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the association between the immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 and plasma zinc in women with fibroadenoma. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 37 premenopausal women with fibroadenoma. Waist circumference and body mass index of the participants were measured. Plasma zinc concentrations were determined using atomic flame absorption spectrophotometry. Fragments of breast tissue were fixed and incubated with primary mouse monoclonal antibodies (monoclonal antibodies matrix metalloproteinase -2 -507 and monoclonal antibodies matrix metalloproteinase -9-439). Semi-quantitative analysis of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 immunoreactivity was performed. Spearman's test and Friedman's test were used for statistical analyses. The p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The average age of the participants was 32.81±9.51 years. The body mass index and waist circumference values were within the normal range. The mean plasma zinc concentration was 42.73±13.84 µg/dL, with 94.6% inadequacy. A statistically significant difference was found between the positive expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (p=0.0184). There was no significant correlation between the matrix metalloproteinase expression and the plasma zinc levels. CONCLUSIONS: Women with fibroadenoma had hypozincemia and positive expression of metalloproteinases.

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Fibroadenomas are the most common benign breast neoplasms. In rare cases, a carcinoma may develop within a fibroadenoma. The aim of this study was to report a case of low-grade carcinoma in situ in a fibroadenoma. A 31-year-old female, G0P0A0 and without family history of cancer, arrives at the service with an expressive breast lump growth along the year year. Core biopsy, histopathological and immunohistochemical studies showed an in-situ carcinoma in a fibroadenoma. Surgical resection was performed with a safety margin, and anatomopathological study and immunohistochemistry of the surgical specimen confirmed the core biopsy diagnosis. Currently, the patient is under annual clinical follow-up with mammography and breast ultrasound and no evidence of neoplastic disease. Although this is a rare event and few cases are described in the literature, carcinomas in situ can occur in a fibroadenoma.

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Apesar de fibroadenoma ser uma das lesões mais comuns da mama, sua correlação a alteração maligna é rara.1,2,3,5,7 Quando ocorre tem apresentação clínica similar a dos fibroadenomas típicos, diagnóstico anatomopatológico em geral pós-cirúrgico e tratamento conforme do carcinoma do mesmo tipo histológico isolado.1,2,3,4,6 Apresentamos caso de mulher de 52 anos, apresentando em propedêutica investigativa nódulo em mama direita. Core-biopsy sugeriu carcinoma ductal in situ desenvolvido dentro de fibroadenoma, confirmado em análise anatomopatológica pósoperatória. Tratamento e seguimento se deu conforme já estabelecido pela literatura para carcinoma in situ. Devido baixa incidência, há poucas evidências científicas quanto ao diagnóstico, tratamento e prognóstico desse tipo de lesão. Portanto, apresentar à comunidade científica casos de carcinoma inclusos a fibroadenoma se faz relevante.

Although fibroadenoma is one of the most common lesions of the breast, its correlation with malignant changes is rare. When it occurs, the clinical presentation is similar to typical fibroadenomas, anatomopathological diagnosis is after surgery and treatment goes according to the carcinoma histological type. A case of a 52-year-old woman is presented, with an impalpable nodule in the right breast, diagnosed from screening exams. Corebiopsy suggested carcinoma ductal in situ developed within fibroadenoma, confirmed in the postoperative anatomopathological analysis. Treatment and follow-up followed as established in the literature for carcinoma in situ. Due the low incidence, there are poor scientific evidence regarding the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of this type of injury. Therefore, presenting cases of Carcinoma ductal in situ arising in a fibroadenoma to the scientific community is so relevant.

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OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and imaging predictive factors for the diagnosis of phyllodes tumors in patients with inconclusive results from core needle biopsy (fibroepithelial lesions). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of patients who underwent surgical excision of breast lesions previously diagnosed as fibroepithelial lesions. Numeric variables were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk and t-tests, and categorical variables were analyzed using the chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to calculate odds ratios and detect predictive factors for the diagnosis of PT. RESULTS: A total of 89 biopsy samples were obtained from 77 patients, of which 43 were confirmed as fibroadenomas, 43 as phyllodes tumors, and 3 as other benign, non-fibroepithelial breast lesions. The mean tumor size was 3.61 cm (range, 0.8-10 cm) for phyllodes tumors and 2.4 cm (range, 0.8-7.9 cm) for fibroadenomas. The predictive factor for phyllodes tumor diagnosis was lesion size >3 cm (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that fibroepithelial lesions of the breast larger than 3 cm are more likely to be phyllodes tumors.

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RESUMEN El fibroadenoma gigante juvenil es un tumor de mama benigno y una variante rara de los fibroadenomas. La presentación clínica suele ser una masa tumoral unilateral, de crecimiento rápido e indolora. En este artículo presentamos el caso de un fibroadenoma gigante juvenil de 12 cm de diámetro en la mama de una niña de 13 años. Se realiza estudio radiológico e histológico de la lesión siendo categorizada como un fibroadenoma gigante juvenil por lo que se realiza tumorectomía completa con remodelación mamaria posterior. A los dos meses de seguimiento, la paciente se encuentra sin signos de recidiva, con buena situación general y a la espera de cirugía de remodelación mamaria.

ABSTRACT Juvenile giant fibroadenoma is a benign breast tumor and a rare variant of fibroadenomas. The clinical presentation is usually a painless, fast growing, unilateral tumor mass. In this article we present the case of a giant juvenile fibroadenoma of 12 cm in diameter in the breast of a 13-year-old girl. A radiological and histological study of the lesion was carried out and it was categorized as a juvenile giant fibroadenoma, so a complete lumpectomy with posterior breast remodeling was performed. After two months of follow-up, the patient is without signs of recurrence, in good general condition and waiting for the breast remodeling surgery.

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Introducción: El fibroadenoma es una lesión bastante común en mama, pero su localización en la región vulvar es extremadamente rara, con alrededor de sesenta casos, descritos en la literatura. Se presenta como una masa unilateral, subcutánea y asintomática, de crecimiento insidioso. El tamaño de este tipo de lesión varía entre 1 y 12 cm en los casos reportados hasta la fecha. A pesar de ser infrecuentes, las tumoraciones a nivel vulvar continúan siendo importante motivo de consulta. La histogénesis de este tipo de lesiones ha sido tema de discusión en los últimos años, sobresalen dos teorías: la presencia de tejido mamario ectópico, y la degeneración tumoral de un grupo de glándulas similares a tejido mamario, descritas como componente habitual de la región. Objetivo: Aportar un diagnóstico diferencial polémico de tumores vulvares. Presentación del caso: Se presenta una paciente de 22 años con diagnóstico histopatológico de fibroadenoma de vulva. Se realiza exéresis de la lesión, la cual al examen macroscópico midió aproximadamente 15 cm en su eje longitudinal (la más grande reportada en la literatura). Conclusiones: A pesar de su baja frecuencia de presentación, el fibroadenoma de vulva es una entidad a tener en cuenta como diagnóstico diferencial de los tumores subcutáneos de localización vulvar(AU)

Introduction: Fibroadenoma is a fairly common lesion in the breast tissue, but its location in the vulvar region is extremely rare, with about 60 specific cases in the literature. It is presented as a unilateral, subcutaneous and asymptomatic mass, with insidious growth. The size of this type of lesion is between 1 and 12 cm in the cases reported to date. Despite being infrequent, vulvar tumors continue to be important reasons for medical consultation. The histogenesis of this type of lesions has been the subject of discussion in recent years; two theories stand out: the presence of ectopic breast tissue, and tumor degeneration of a group of glands similar to breast tissue described as a common component of the region. Objective: To providea polemic differencial diagnosis of vulvar tumors. Case presentation: We present a 22-year-old patient with histopathological diagnosis of vulvar fibroadenoma. Excision of the lesion was performed, which at the macroscopic examination measured approximately 15 cm in its longitudinal axis (the largest reported in the literature). Conclusions: Despite its low frequency of presentation, vulvar fibroadenoma needs to be considered as differencial diagnosis of vulvar tumors(AU)

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Background: Cancer and fibroadenoma are the most common breast tumors in women of reproductive age. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) transcription factor play an important role in the inflammatory process and in cell proliferation. However, few studies have analyzed these markers in breast cancer and fibroadenoma in women of reproductive age. Results: Light microscopy showed a higher concentration of anti-Nrf2 and anti-NF-κB-stained nuclei in breast cancer than in fibroadenoma. The mean percentage of stained nuclei for Nrf2 was 7.12 ± 5.2 and 43.21 ± 19.83 in the control and study groups, respectively (p < 0.0001). The mean percentage of anti-NF-κB was 10.75 ± 7.09 and 56.14 ± 21.19 (mean ± standard deviation) in the control and study groups, respectively (p < 0.0001). Histological grade 3 tumors showed a significantly higher expression of Nrf2 and NF-κB than grade 1 tumors (p < 0.05). Material and methods: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Federal University of Piaui and all patients assigned an inform consent term prior to the study initiation. Nrf2 and NF-κB expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 66 patients, divided into two groups, control (fibroadenoma, n = 36) and study (cancer, n = 30). The data were analyzed using ANOVA test and the statistical significance was established at p < 0.05. Conclusion: Nrf2 and NF-κB expression was significantly higher in breast cancer than in fibroadenoma, in addition to having a greater association with more aggressive tumors.

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Se presentó el caso de una adolescente de 12 años de edad que acudió a consulta externa de Cirugía del Hospital Pediátrico Docente "Gral. Pedro Agustín Pérez", de Guantánamo; la misma presentó aumento de volumen a nivel del cuadrante superior externo de la mama izquierda, no doloroso. Se palpó tumoración de bordes irregulares, o sea mal definidos, de 3 cm de diámetro aproximadamente, sin signos de inflamación. Se realizó biopsia por aspiración con aguja fina y se informó el diagnóstico de fibroadenoma de mama. La exéresis del nódulo y el estudio histopatológico demostraron el diagnóstico de linfoma no Hodgkin de alto grado de malignidad y se procedió a la atención multidisciplinaria. Al momento del reporte la paciente continúa con quimioterapia y evoluciona satisfactoriamente. Se revisó la literatura médica sobre el tema y se expusieron sus bases esenciales para la familiarización de los médicos generales(AU)

A 12 years old young female presented to the surgical outpatient clinic at the Hospital Pediátrico Docente "Gral. Pedro Agustín Pérez" in Guantanamo. Patient showed swelling in the upper right breast, with no pain. Examination revealed irregular edges (with approximately 3 cm in diameter) and no swollen tissue. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy was performed and breast fibroadenoma was diagnosed. Node exeresis and histopathological study both showed a high risk malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and a multidisciplinary care team assumed the case. At the time of the report, the patient is still under chemotherapy and prognosis evolves positively. The medical literature on the subject was put on review and a layout of the essentials to familiarize the general practitioners with the topic was set(AU)

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RESUMEN Se presentó el caso de una adolescente de 12 años de edad que acudió a consulta externa de Cirugía del Hospital Pediátrico Docente Gral. Pedro Agustín Pérez, de Guantánamo; la misma presentó aumento de volumen a nivel del cuadrante superior externo de la mama izquierda, no doloroso. Se palpó tumoración de bordes irregulares, o sea mal definidos, de 3 cm de diámetro aproximadamente, sin signos de inflamación. Se realizó biopsia por aspiración con aguja fina y se informó el diagnóstico de fibroadenoma de mama. La exéresis del nódulo y el estudio histopatológico demostraron el diagnóstico de linfoma no Hodgkin de alto grado de malignidad y se procedió a la atención multidisciplinaria. Al momento del reporte la paciente continúa con quimioterapia y evoluciona satisfactoriamente. Se revisó la literatura médica sobre el tema y se expusieron sus bases esenciales para la familiarización de los médicos generales.

ABSTRACT A 12 years old young female presented to the surgical outpatient clinic at the Hospital Pediátrico Docente Gral. Pedro Agustín Pérez in Guantanamo. Patient showed swelling in the upper right breast, with no pain. Examination revealed irregular edges (with approximately 3 cm in diameter) and no swollen tissue. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy was performed and breast fibroadenoma was diagnosed. Node exeresis and histopathological study both showed a high risk malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and a multidisciplinary care team assumed the case. At the time of the report, the patient is still under chemotherapy and prognosis evolves positively. The medical literature on the subject was put on review and a layout of the essentials to familiarize the general practitioners with the topic was set.

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Fibroadenomas (FAs) are benign fibro-epithelial tumours of the breast characterized by being biphasic and having stromal and epithelial components. It is estimated that FAs affect more than 20 percent of the general population aged 16­40 years old. Complex FAs are a sub-type of fibroadenoma presenting one or more pathological characteristics, such as epithelial calcifications, apocrine metaplasias, sclerosing adenoma and cysts larger than 3 mm. According to studies elsewhere, women with complex FAs are 3.1 times more likely to develop breast cancer. The objective of the present study was to map the scientific production of articles on complex FA in the international literature. The ISI Web of Knowledge (Web of Science), one of the main scientific databases in the world, was searched with the following terms: ("complex" and "fibroadenoma") or ("fibroadenoma" and "complex"). Only articles published between 1981 and 2019 were considered for a bibliometric review, in which 160 articles from 126 different periodicals were identified after using refinement filters. Moreover, a clinical case was also discussed based on the patient's medical record and interview

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The mass are among the possible alterations observed in the axilla. When found, the most frequent differential diagnosis are lymphadenopathy, metastatic lymphadenomegaly, lymphoma, lipoma or tumors in the apocrine glands. Besides that, the presence of accessory breast tissue must also be considered and, as the topical breast tissue, can be the target of breast diseases, either benign or malignant. Female patient, 23 years old, with the presence of hardened palpable node in the right axilla. At the ultrasound, it presented characteristics that classified it as Bi-Rads® 4. An aspiration biopsy of the node was performed with fine-needle, which resulted in unsatisfying material. After the explanation of the therapeutic choices, the patient opted for the excision of the axillary node. The anatomical pathological result showed a nodular formation compatible with fibroadenoma. The occurrence of a node in the axillary region is common. However, in the vast majority of times, it is merely an inflammatory response, manifested as a lymphadenomegaly. In case of chronic mass with suspicious characteristics, it is convenient to suspect the presence of lymphoid neoplasms, locoregional metastasis of breast cancer or melanoma and alterations in accessory breast tissue. In young patients, it is important to evaluate the existence of accessory breast tissue with the presence of suspicious axillary node, because, although controversial, some authors believe that such alterations occur more frequently in these patients. Additionally, in cases of inconclusive imaging, an excision of the lesion must be performed for a definite diagnosis.

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BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9 may play an important role in cell proliferation and dissemination of cancer. However, few studies have compared the expression of these proteins between breast cancer and fibroadenoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized, double-blind study was carried out in 66 premenopausal women, aged 20-49 years, who had been diagnosed with fibroadenoma or breast cancer. The patients were divided into two groups: Group A, control (fibroadenoma, n=36) and Group B, study (cancer, n=30). Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using tissue samples of fibroadenoma and breast cancer to assess MMP-2 and MMP-9 antigen expression. Cells were considered positive if exhibiting brown cytoplasmic staining. Fisher's exact test was used to compare the percentage of cases with cells expressing MMP-2 and MMP-9 in control and study groups (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Light microscopy showed a higher concentration of cells with positive cytoplasmic staining for MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in breast cancer than in fibroadenoma. The percentage of cases with cells expressing MMP-2 in the control and study groups was 41.67% and 86.11%, respectively (p < 0.0009), whereas the percentage of cases with cells expressing MMP-9 in groups A and B was 66.67% and 93.33%, respectively (p<0.0138). MMP-2 and MMP-9 positive expression was significantly higher in moderately differentiated tumors compared to well and poorly differentiated tumors, p <0.005 and p<0.001, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The current study shows that MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein expression was significantly higher in the breast cancer than in the fibroadenoma and also in moderately differentiated breast cancer.