What is the natural course of a fat necrosis mass if untreated?

What is the natural course of a fat necrosis mass if untreated?

• A. Mass gradually disappears
• B. Mass rapidly enlarges
• C. Mass becomes malignant
• D. Mass remains unchanged

Answer: (A)

Fat necrosis in the breast is a benign change after trauma or surgery. The inflammatory response and breakdown of necrotic fat are followed by resorption, so the lesion tends to shrink over time. As a result, untreated fat necrosis commonly involutes and may eventually disappear, though it can leave a scar or oil cyst and, occasionally, stable calcifications. It does not turn malignant and does not typically enlarge rapidly.

Fat necrosis in the breast is a benign change after trauma or surgery. The inflammatory response and breakdown of necrotic fat are followed by resorption, so the lesion tends to shrink over time. As a result, untreated fat necrosis commonly involutes and may eventually disappear, though it can leave a scar or oil cyst and, occasionally, stable calcifications. It does not turn malignant and does not typically enlarge rapidly.