Breast masses in adolescents.

The most common pubertal breast masses are gynecomastia in boys and breast buds in girls. Gynecomastia usually resolves spontaneously in one or two years. Breast buds must never be biopsied or excised. Fibroadenomas are the most common benign breast tumors in adolescent girls. Breast cancer in this age group is rare but possible. Careful observation over one or two menstrual cycles is recommended, followed by an excisional biopsy if an undiagnosed breast lesion persists.