|
|
Fibroadenoma is a benign breast noncancerous tumor. Breast fibroadenoma is a breast slow growth that most commonly presents in teenage girls and women under the age of thirty. The incidence of having breast fibroadenoma decreases with the increasing age. The presence of a fibroadenoma mass inside of breast tissues often causes women anxiety and concern, partly because people equate any type of breast lump with cancer. Breast fibroadenoma carries a very slight risk for future breast cancer, but the majority of fibroadenoma are benign breast growths.
Breast fibroadenoma is the most common benign tumor of the breast and the most common breast tumor in women under age 30. Breast fibroadenomas are usually found as single lumps, but about 10 - 15% of women have several lumps that may affect both breasts.
Some women call breast fibroadenoma as “running mousea” because while explaining their complaints they say that the tumour in the breast tends to run away from their fingers while examining it.
|
Very often breast fibroadenoma can be discovered during mammography. In the mammogram the breast fibroadenoma is visible as glandular and fibrous breast tissue, which can be single (alone) or in a group (multiple). If multiple/complex breast fibroadenoma is discovered then it could have the risk to convert into breast cancer later.
It is noted that black women tend to develop breast fibroadenoma more often and at an earlier age than white women.
BREAST FIBROADENOMA causes
The cause of breast fibroadenoma is not clearly known. Estrogen sensitivity is thought to play a role in breast fibroadenoma growth: some tumors may increase in size towards the end of the menstruation or during pregnancy. After menopause, many breast fibroadenomas spontaneously shrink due to lower estrogen levels. Hormone therapy for postmenopausal women may prevent breast fibroadenoma from shrinking.
BREAST FIBROADENOMA symptoms
Breast ibroadenoma is the most commonly diagnosed benign breast tumor in young women. Breast fibroadenoma tends to be sphere shaped, with a smoother surface than most malignant breast cancers. While malignant tumors tend to be immobile, breast fibroadenoma growths move easily within the breast.
Breast fibroadenoma growths are usually painless, but size and location of the growth can cause breast tenderness or pain - breast fibroadenoma feels slightly malleable or rubbery to the touch when examined. While younger women tend to have clearly defined fibroadenoma growths, older women may present with breast calcification rather than masses.
Breast fibroadenoma is usually isolated breast mass. Sometimes (10-15% cases) breast fibroadenoma can be multiple and can be discovered in both breasts.
Benign breast fibroadenoma should have smooth, well-defined borders and could grow in size, especially during pregnancy. Breast fibroadenoma often get smaller after menopause (if a woman is not taking hormone replacement therapy).
All breast fibroadenoma are composed of glandular cells and fibroconnective, or stromal, cells. The majority of fibroadenoma grow no larger than 1-3 cm, but some may grow to over 5cm, or two inches, in length. These unusually large growths are referred to as giant fibroadenoma. Fibroadenomas found in teenagers are often referred to as juvenile fibroadenomas.
BREAST FIBROADENOMA diagnosis
First and most important method for breast fibroadenoma discovery is breast exam (made by health provider) or breast self-exam (made by woman). Breast fibroadenoma is felt as a firm, round, rubbery and movable swelling. Being mobile, it tends to run away while examining. The swelling could also increase in size during the menstrual cycle and in pregnancy because of hormonal changes taking place in the body. The size of fibroadenoma ranges from small (1-5 cm) to giant (about 15 cm). No enlargement of axillary lymph nodes is seen.
After careful breast examination, one or both of the following tests are usually done to determine further information:
 Breast ultrasound- Mammogram
In a mammogram, it appears as a round or oval, smooth edged mass having a clear outline. Sometimes it may have course calcifications that look like a cyst.
The biopsy is the only sure way to confirm breast fibroadenoma - biopsy is needed to get a definite diagnosis. Core needle biopsy is most often performed. For more information on the different types of breast biopsies see:
- Breast biopsy - sterotactic
- Breast biopsy - ultrasound (core needle)
- Breast biopsy - open
Fine needle biopsies, coarse needle biopsy, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) are some of the ways to diagnose the breast fibroadenoma.
While biopsy is the only sure way to confirm breast fibroadenoma, young women in their teens to mid twenties may not require a biopsy if the lump meets all the requirements for a characteristic fibroadenoma mass.
BREAST FIBROADENOMA treatment
Treatment varies in different ways once the diagnosis is done. If it is small and remains the same for long then there is no need for treatment but follow up with regular ultrasound is recommended.
As benign growths, breast fibroadenomas are not always removed from the breast. Instead, the mass is left and carefully monitored for changes in shape and size. Whether breast fibroadenoma is removed depends on a number of physical and psychological factors. If tumor size or location causes pain or discomfort, then the fibroadenoma could be removed.
If breast fibroadenoma is large (more than 3 cm) with pain and cells are seen in the biopsy then excision or surgical removal of fibroadenoma is the choice of treatment. Over 40 years of age, it is advised to get surgical removal.
Patient concerns and anxieties are also factors. If a woman is uneasy with the idea of a breast mass remaining untreated, the breast fibroadenoma may be removed to alleviate her anxiety.
A fibroadenoma may be removed under local anesthetic, either through surgery or through the use of a fine needle. If a biopsy is required to rule out malignancy, the entire fibroadenoma may be removed during the procedure.
Breast fibroadenoma recurrence rate is high even after removal.
BREAST FIBROADENOMA prognosis
The outlook is excellent, although patients with breast fibroadenoma have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer later in life. Lumps that are not removed should be checked regularly by physical exams and imaging tests, following the doctor's recommendations.
BREAST FIBROADENOMA complications
Women with breast fibroadenoma have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer than other women, but not by a significant amount. Very rarely, cancerous cells are found in breast fibroadenoma biopsy samples, but almost all fibroadenoma are benign.
Complications from fibroadenomas are not uncommon. Biopsies and fibroadenoma removal, like all surgical procedures, carry the risk of bleeding, scarring, and post-operative infection. After the breast fibroadenoma is removed, it is not unusual for a new fibroadenoma to grow in the same location.
In most cases the breast fibroadenoma (lump) is left in place and carefully watched; it could need to be removed at a later time if it changes, grows, or doesn't go away.
In very rare cases, the lump may be cancerous and you may need further treatment. You should visit your doctor if you noticed the following:
- You have a lump and it changes,
- You feel a new breast lump,
- You have changes in the breast that are not affected by the menstrual cycle.
Perform regular breast self-exams and undergo breast screening as recommended by your health care provider.
|
