Fibroadenoma of the breast

Fibroadenoma of the breast is a benign tumor. Benign tumor means it is not a cancer.

Causes

The cause of fibroadenomas is not known. They may be related to hormones. Girls who are going through puberty and women who are pregnant are most often affected. Fibroadenomas are found much less often in older women who have gone through menopause.

Fibroadenoma is the most common benign tumor of the breast. It is the most common breast tumor in women under age 30.

A fibroadenoma is made up of breast gland tissue and tissue that helps support the breast gland tissue.

Symptoms

Fibroadenomas are usually single lumps. Some women have several lumps that may affect both breasts.

The lumps may be any of the following:

• Easily moveable under the skin
• Firm
• Painless
• Rubbery

The lumps have smooth, well-defined borders. They may grow in size, especially during pregnancy. Fibroadenomas often get smaller after menopause (if a woman is not taking hormone therapy).

Exams and Tests

After a physical exam, one or both of the following tests are usually done:

• Breast ultrasound

  Breast ultrasound

  Breast ultrasound is a test that uses sound waves to examine the breasts.

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• Mammogram

  Mammogram

  A mammogram is an x-ray picture of the breasts. It is used to find breast tumors and cancer.

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A biopsy may be done to get a definite diagnosis. Different types of biopsies include:

• Excisional (removal of the lump by a surgeon)
• Stereotactic (needle biopsy using a machine like a mammogram)

  Stereotactic

  A breast biopsy is the removal of breast tissue to examine it for signs of breast cancer or other disorders. There are several types of breast biops...

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• Ultrasound-guided (needle biopsy using ultrasound)

  Ultrasound-guided

  A breast biopsy is the removal of breast tissue to examine it for signs of breast cancer or other disorders. There are several types of breast biopsi...

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Women in their teens or early 20s may not need a biopsy if the lump goes away on its own or if the lump does not change over a long period.

Treatment

If a needle biopsy shows that the lump is a fibroadenoma, the lump may be left in place or removed.

You and your health care provider can discuss whether or not to remove the lump. Reasons to have it removed include:

• Results of needle biopsy are not clear
• Pain or other symptom
• Concern about cancer
• The lump gets larger over time

If the lump is not removed, your provider will watch to see if it changes or grows. This may be done using:

• Mammogram
• Physical examination
• Ultrasound

Sometimes, the lump is destroyed without removing it:

• Cryoablation destroys the lump by freezing it. A probe is inserted through the skin, and ultrasound helps the provider guide it to the lump. Gas is used to freeze and destroy the lump.
• Radiofrequency ablation destroys the lump using high-frequency energy. The provider uses ultrasound to help focus the energy beam on the lump. These waves heat the lump and destroy it without affecting nearby tissues.

Outlook (Prognosis)

If the lump is left in place and watched carefully, it may need to be removed at a later time if it changes or grows.

In very rare cases, the lump is cancer and will need further treatment.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your provider if you notice:

• Any new breast lumps
• A breast lump that your provider has checked before that grows or changes
• Bruising on your breast for no reason
• Dimpled or wrinkled skin (like an orange) on your breast
• Nipple changes or nipple discharge

  Nipple discharge

  Nipple discharge is any fluid that comes out of the nipple area in your breast.

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