There is no surgical subject the literature of which is less satisfactory, than that of mammary tumors. This is not due to a lack of writers, but rather to their contradictory positions.
In the first place the nomenclature of the subject could not well be in a worse condition. The American, English, German and French schools each has a classification peculiar to itself. The general reader finds himself hopelessly at sea, in endeavoring to reconcile the teachings of standard authors.
The only true classification—one based upon accurate pathology—has not been followed. Growths considered by some as benign, are by others treated as malignant. This confusion, noticeable as it is with malignant neoplasms, is much greater with benign affections. Take, for instance, the most common of benign tumors, and we find it described under the same name by only two recognized authors. It has at least a dozen names. The fibroma