Comparison of Topical, Systemic, and Combined Therapy with Steroids on Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis: A Prospective Randomized Study

Background Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a benign disorder of the breast, for which the optimal treatment modality remains missing. Methods A total of 124 patients with a histopathologically proven diagnosis of IGM were enrolled in a prospective, randomized parallel arm study. Patients were treated with topical steroids in Group T ( n : 42), systemic steroids (0.8 mg/kg/day peroral) in Group S ( n : 42), and combined steroids (0.4 mg/kg/day peroral + topical) in Group C ( n : 40). Compliance with the therapy, response to the therapy, the duration of therapy, side effects and the recurrence rates were compared. Results Sixteen patients did not comply with the treatment, and the highest ratio of compliance with therapy was seen in Group T ( p