Expert Guidance on Managing Lactational Mastitis

Clinical Takeaway

: New recommendations address a common postpartum clinical problem.

An overview of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, Society of Breast Imaging, and College of American Pathology 2025 Guidelines for the Management of Infectious and Inflammatory Lesions of the Breast

Background

Guidelines from this joint expert panel cover three inflammatory breast conditions: lactational mastitis (LM), granulomatous mastitis, and periductal mastitis. Among these, LM is far more common, affecting 10%−20% of patients who breast-feed; therefore, this summary focuses mostly on recommendations for this condition. The following recommendations were largely based on strong consensus.

Key Recommendations

Clinicians should recognize that not all LM is infectious. Inflammation of the lactating breast can lead to patients feeling sy…

Reviewing Author

Marie Claire O’Dwyer, M.B. B.Ch. B.A.O., M.P.H.

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose