Fibroadenoma: A VERY FREQUENT CONDITION, THE SEVERITY OF WHICH IS OFTEN UNDERESTIMATED.
Fibroadenomas are the most frequent non-cancerous (benign) lumps in young women. They are solid, non-cancerous breast lumps, which usually appear in women of age of 15 to 35 years old. A fibroadenoma can be firm, soft, flexible or hard and it has a particular, well defined form. Fibroadenomas vary in size and they may increase or shrink automatically.
How can we recognize a fibroadenoma?
In most cases, the patient notices the fibroadenoma through self-examination (palpation) as a mobile mass, while, when the breast is enlarged before menstruation, it can become more intensely palpable and probably be painful as well. There are, however, cases where a fibroadenoma is accidentally found during screening test.
When is medical consultation necessary?
It is recommended that you visit your doctor if you:
- Find a new lump
- A lump that you had checked in the past causes pain or it has increased or it has changed in any way and it appears to be differentiated from the surrounding breast tissue.
- Observe other changes in your breasts
How is a fibroadenoma caused?
The cause of fibroadenomas is rather unknown, however, they are related to reproductive hormones. Fibroadenomas usually appear during reproductive years, they may grow during pregnancy and breastfeeding or owing to hormone therapy and they can shrink during menopause, when the levels of hormones decrease.
Special Types of Fibroadenomas
Apart from simple fibroadenomas, the following also exist:
Complex fibroadenomas: These may lead to changes with cells increase and they usually appear in older ages. Diagnosis of a complex fibroadenoma can be made after a biopsy specimen is examined by a pathologist.
Giant fibroadenomas: They can increase to more than 2 inches (5 centimetres). They may need to be removed as they can press or replace the remaining breast tissue.
Phyllodes tumors: Often, their presentation is similar to that of fibroadenomas, even though it is substantially a distinct condition. Although they are usually benign, certain phyllodes tumors can be malignant (cancer). Doctors recommend removal of such tumors.
Fibroadenoma Complications
Most fibroadenomas do not increase the risk of breast cancer development. However, the possibility of breast cancer development may slightly increase if there is a complex fibroadenoma or a phyllodes tumor. For this reason, if you notice a lump in your breast, you should not neglect to visit an expert!
Treatment of a Fibroadenoma
Their treatment may include follow-up for surveillance of any changes in size and/or shape, or else a diagnostic core biopsy. Surgical removal of the entire lump is advised, if it causes pain, if it is larger than 2 centimetres or, finally, if it increases in size. More specifically, in older women, an excisional biopsy (of the entire lump) may be indicated.
In most cases, excision is performed under local anesthesia and the patient returns home on the same day.
NO WOMAN SHOULD HAVE AN UNSPECIFIED LESION IN HER BREAST.