Fibroadenoma

Fibroadenoma: Benign, Common & Harmless

Benign, common, generally harmless lumps in the breast, which most often do not need treatment, are fibroadenomas.

They appear mainly in young women, while the most important thing is that in the great majority of them they are harmless.

What is Fibroadenoma?

Fibroadenoma is a benign tumor that is often found in the female breast.
It is a smooth, solid, painless formation, which forms anywhere in the breast tissue and is easily palpable.

Its size ranges from a few millimeters to the size of a golf ball.

Most fibroadenomas are treated conservatively, and sometimes they even go away on their own.

Fibroadenoma & Causes

The cause blamed for the appearance of fibroadenoma in the breast is not exact, however it seems that they are affected by the hormones of the cycle and pregnancy.

Fibroadenoma is not cancerous and does not develop into breast cancer, except in rare cases.

« During pregnancy and breastfeeding the fibroadenoma can increase in size »

Who Does It Concern?

Fibroadenoma is very often found in young women between 20 and 35 years of age, while it is not excluded that it can also occur at older ages.

A woman may have more than one fibroadenoma in one breast and more rarely in both breasts.

Mammography

Types of Fibroadenomas

Fibroadenomas are distinguished into:

Simple fibroadenomas that are the most common, which size from 1 to 3 cm.
Complex fibroadenomas, which are larger in volume and tend to be removed.
Giant fibroadenomas when they exceed 5 cm.
Juvenile fibroadenomas when they appear in adolescence.

Diagnosis

Fibroadenoma is very often detected during self-examination or during regular breast cancer screening and mainly during ultrasound.

The general surgeon at Facemed Clinic can evaluate any changes in your breast and recommend the necessary check-up, which will in principle rule out malignancy.

To complete the examination and make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor may request a diagnostic mammogram, breast ultrasound or breast biopsy.

While fibroadenomas are not cancerous many times patients are anxious about their tumor. Thus, for absolute certainty, a further check or even removal is made.

« You may notice a fibroadenoma yourself during a self-exam or in the shower »

Treatment

Many small fibroadenomas that do not cause symptoms and do not change in size will not need treatment. In fact, some of them will shrink and go away on their own

After the biopsy confirms that it is not a malignancy, the Facemed Clinic surgeon will recommend that you be monitored regularly (clinical examination and imaging tests) depending on your age and medical history.

Fibroadenomas may remain unchanged, increase in size, or shrink and regress.

When is Surgical Removal Recommended?

How fibroadenomas are treated depends on factors such as:

Their size.
The age of the patient.
The results of the biopsy.

In cases such as a rapidly growing fibroadenoma, the doctor may recommend surgical removal. The operation is performed under general anesthesia and the patient returns home the same day.

Lipoma

« All women should be alert for any lump they find in their breast and contact the specialist immediately »

Frequent Questions

I have a fibroadenoma and the doctor told me not to worry, should I continue to have tests?

Your doctor will recommend how and when to monitor and treat your fibroadenoma.

I have heard of fibroadenomas, which developed into malignancy. It's correct;

What is usually behind such "developments" are wrong diagnoses. That is why you must trust your doctor and follow his recommendations.

Bibliography

https://www.breastsurgeons.org/docs/statements/Management-of-Fibroadenomas.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
https://www.breastcancer.org
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org