Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis: Immune-Pathogen Imbalance in a Treatment-Resistant Benign Inflammatory Disease

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis is a benign non-specific inflammatory disease that occurs in women during non-lactation. Main symptoms in the early stages of disease include red breast lumps, swelling, heat and pain, whereas in the later stages, breast abscesses, sinus tracts, and even ulcers may develop. At present, the etiology and pathogenesis of IGM remains unclear, and there are no standardized guidelines for IGM treatment, which leads to treatment resistance and frequent recurrence, causing serious distress to women's physical and mental health. Based on the existing literature evidence, this paper proposes the "immunity-pathogen imbalance pathogenesis" model, the disease is caused by the imbalance between pathogens and immune system in the breast, resulting in granuloma as the characteristic immune damage response, and Corynebacterium may be the driving factor of the cascade reaction. This article summarizes etiology, diagnostic methods, treatment plans, and recurrence factors, and aims to translate existing mechanisms into a practical clinical framework.