Methotrexate in the management of granulomatous mastitis

Granulomatous mastitis is a rare benign inflammatory breast disease that often clinically simulates carcinoma. Surgical resection of the entire lesion has been the main method of treatment but recurrence, infection, sinus formation and delayed wound healing can occur relatively commonly. Corticosteroids are also effective in recurrent or resistant cases but are associated with side-effects and relapse of disease after steroid withdrawal. A low weekly oral dose of methotrexate was used in five resistant cases after surgery plus corticosteroid. All cases achieved remission, withdrawal of corticosteroid without relapse and no methotrexate side-effect.