Abstract: Objective To investigate the efficacy of surgical and nonsurgical treatments for granulomatous lobular mastitis(GLM) and the risk factors for recurrence. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and pathological data from 174 patients diagnosed with GLM between July 2017 and December 2019.Treatment modality was divided into surgery+steroid group(n=101) and steroid treatment(n=73).The t-tests and χ² tests were used to compare the effects of the two treatments.Possible risk factors of GLM were analyzed using univariable logistic regression,followed by multivariable logistic regression. Results The breast appearance of the steroid group was better than that of surgery+steroid group(P< 0.05);there was no significant difference in the course of disease,clinical efficacy,and recurrence rate between the two groups(P>0.05).The results of univariate and multivariate logistic analysis showed that breastfeeding time≥8 months、history of breast infection and Corynebacterium were independent risk factors for recurrence of GLM(P< 0.05). Conclusion Oral steroid can be considered as a first-line treatment for GLM.To shorten the breastfeeding time appropriately and control the infection actively can reduce the recurrence of GLM.

Key words: granuloma, mastitis, steroid, recurrence, risk factors