Fibroadenoma

A fibroadenoma is a non-cancerous, solid lump that can form in a breast. It's most commonly found in women between the ages of 15 and 35, but can occur at any age in women who menstruate.

These lumps are usually painless. They often feel firm, smooth, and rubbery, like a small, round object, perhaps the size of a pea, or sometimes flatter, like a coin. Crucially, these lumps can be moved around easily within the breast tissue when touched.

Fibroadenomas are a fairly common type of breast lump. If a doctor finds one, they might recommend regular monitoring to see if the size or feel of the lump changes. Sometimes, a biopsy (a small tissue sample) is needed to be sure it's not something else. In other cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the lump. Many fibroadenomas don't require any further treatment.

A fibroadenoma is a solid, painless lump that often forms in a woman's breast. It typically has a round shape with smooth edges. You can usually move the lump easily. It feels firm or rubbery to the touch. Fibroadenomas usually grow slowly, and most are about the size of a small coin (around 1 inch or 2.5 centimeters). However, they can get bigger over time. Sometimes, a fibroadenoma might feel a bit tender or sore a few days before your period. Larger fibroadenomas might be painful when pressed. But most of the time, these lumps don't hurt. A person might have just one fibroadenoma or several. They can develop in one or both breasts. Interestingly, some fibroadenomas shrink on their own over time. This is especially common in teenagers, where the lumps often disappear within months or a few years. The shape of a fibroadenoma might also change over time. During pregnancy, fibroadenomas might grow larger. After menopause, they might shrink.

It's important to remember that normal breast tissue can sometimes feel lumpy. But if you notice a new lump, or any other changes in your breasts, such as a change in the size or feel of a previously diagnosed lump, it's a good idea to schedule an appointment with your doctor. Early detection and discussion with your doctor are crucial for any changes in your breast health.

Your breasts can sometimes feel lumpy, which is normal. However, if you notice any changes, it's important to see your doctor. Schedule a visit if you:

• Find a new lump: This is a new, unusual thickening or firmness in your breast tissue.
• Notice any other changes: This could include changes in the size, shape, or feel of your breasts, like dimpling, puckering, redness, swelling, or soreness. It could also mean a change in the skin texture, like a rash or indentation. Even if you've noticed a change in your nipples, like discharge, inversion (turning inward), or pain, it's a good idea to see a doctor.
• A previously checked lump has changed: If you've had a breast lump checked by a doctor in the past and it's now grown larger, feels different, or has changed in any way, you should make an appointment.

It's important to remember that many breast changes are not cancer. However, it's always best to get any concerns checked out by a healthcare professional.

Fibroadenomas, common breast lumps, have an unknown cause. They might be linked to the hormones that control your menstrual cycle. Not all breast lumps that look like fibroadenomas act the same way. Some types, like complex and giant fibroadenomas, can grow over time.

Complex Fibroadenomas: These are fibroadenomas that tend to increase in size. They can put pressure on or shift the surrounding breast tissue.

Giant Fibroadenomas: These fibroadenomas grow quickly and can become quite large, exceeding 2 inches (5 centimeters) in diameter. Like complex fibroadenomas, they can press on or move nearby breast tissue.

Phyllodes Tumors: These tumors are similar to fibroadenomas in their tissue makeup. However, under a microscope, they have a different structure. Phyllodes tumors often show signs of growing faster than typical fibroadenomas. Most phyllodes tumors are harmless (benign). This means they are not cancerous. But some phyllodes tumors can be cancerous, or they could change to become cancerous. Importantly, phyllodes tumors frequently don't cause pain.

Fibroadenomas are common non-cancerous breast lumps. Most of the time, these lumps don't increase your chances of getting breast cancer. However, if you have a fibroadenoma that's described as "complex" or a different type of tumor called a phyllodes tumor, there might be a slightly higher risk of breast cancer in the future. It's important to remember that even with a complex fibroadenoma or phyllodes tumor, the risk is still relatively low for most people. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about your breast health.

Finding and Diagnosing Fibroadenomas: A Guide

Sometimes, you might notice a lump in your breast while showering or doing a breast self-exam. Doctors also find them during regular checkups, mammograms (breast X-rays), or ultrasounds.

If you feel a breast lump, you might need some tests. The best tests depend on your age and the lump's characteristics.

Imaging tests help doctors learn more about a breast lump. These tests show details like size, shape, and other features:

• Breast Ultrasound: This uses sound waves to create pictures of the inside of your breast. It's often the first choice for people under 30 with breast lumps. Ultrasound images show the size and shape of fibroadenomas clearly. They can also help tell the difference between a solid lump like a fibroadenoma and a fluid-filled cyst. Ultrasound is painless and doesn't require anything to be inserted into your body.

• Mammography (Breast X-ray): This creates an image of your breast tissue to help detect the shape and edges of a lump. Mammograms are good at showing the boundaries of a fibroadenoma. However, mammograms might not be as helpful for younger people with dense breast tissue. Dense breast tissue can make it harder to distinguish a fibroadenoma from normal breast tissue. Also, because of the radiation involved, mammograms are generally not used to check breast lumps in people under 30.

If doctors have any questions about the type of lump, a biopsy might be needed. A biopsy takes a small tissue sample to examine more closely.

• Core Needle Biopsy: This is a common biopsy method for fibroadenomas. A doctor uses a special hollow needle guided by an ultrasound machine to collect a small sample of tissue from the lump. This sample is sent to a lab where a pathologist (a doctor specializing in examining tissues) analyzes it. The pathologist can tell if the lump is a fibroadenoma or another type of tumor, such as a phyllodes tumor.

If a lump is growing quickly, causing pain, or creating other problems, it might need to be removed completely. This could also happen if the biopsy results aren't completely clear. A surgeon will discuss the best options with you.

Many breast lumps called fibroadenomas don't need any treatment. Sometimes, though, a doctor might recommend surgery to remove a fibroadenoma that's growing quickly.

If tests like an ultrasound or biopsy show a breast lump is a fibroadenoma, you might not need surgery. Your doctor will consider several factors when deciding whether surgery is necessary.

Factors to consider about surgery:

• Changes in breast appearance: Surgery can sometimes alter the look of your breast.
• Natural shrinkage or disappearance: Sometimes, fibroadenomas shrink or even disappear on their own.
• No change: A fibroadenoma may stay the same size and shape.

If surgery isn't needed, your doctor might suggest regular checkups to monitor the fibroadenoma. These checkups may involve ultrasounds to see if the lump changes. You should also tell your doctor about any changes you notice in your breasts between appointments.

Surgery is recommended if the test results are concerning to your doctor, or if the fibroadenoma is large, grows quickly, or causes discomfort. Surgery is also the usual treatment for very large fibroadenomas (called giant fibroadenomas) and for a different type of breast tumor called a phyllodes tumor.

How fibroadenomas are removed:

• Surgical Excision: The surgeon removes the entire fibroadenoma using a scalpel. This is the most common method.
• Cryoablation: A special tool is used to freeze and destroy the fibroadenoma. This is a less common procedure, and not all hospitals offer it.

It's important to remember that even after treatment, new fibroadenomas can develop. If you discover a new breast lump, tell your doctor immediately. Your doctor will likely use tests like ultrasounds, mammograms, or biopsies to determine if the new lump is a fibroadenoma or something else.