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What is Fibroadenoma?
Fibroadenoma is the most common benign tumour of the breast and the most common
breast tumour in women under age 30.
Fibroadenomas are usually found as single lump, but about 10 – 15% of women have
several lumps that may affect both breasts.
Most fibroadenomas come and go during your menstrual cycle, when your hormone
levels are changing.
These are most common in young women aged 15 to 30 years and in pregnant
women.
They are much less common in postmenopausal women, unless the women is on
estrogen therapy.
About 10 percent of all fibroadenomas will disappear over time and 20 percent of
them will recur.
If they don’t disappear, they usually stop growing when they reach two or three
centimetre.
SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS
While doing your regular breast self-examination, you may feel a breast
fibroadenoma. These feel firm, rounded, smooth, rubbery and are movable. They are
mobile because they tend to run away from your fingers.
A fibroadenoma may feel tender, especially right before your period, when it may
swell due to hormonal changes.
Fibroadenomas range in size from one to five centimetre. Giant fibroadenomas can be
the size of a small lemon, about 15 centimetre.
After a careful physical examination, one or both of the following tests are usually
done to determine further information:
Breast ultrasound
Mammogram for women above 35 years old who is at risk of breast cancer
A biopsy is needed to get a definite diagnosis. Fine needle aspiration biopsy is most
often performed. Other different types of breast biopsies are:
COMPLICATIONS
If the lump is left in place and carefully watched, it may need to be removed at a later
time if it changes, grows, or doesn’t go away.
They rarely changes to cancer.
TREATMENT
Treatment or Removal of Fibroadenomas:
Since fibroadenomas are benign, treatment will vary depending on the diagnosis.
If it is small, painless, remains the same size, and a biopsy shows no problems, you
would not need further treatment, but may have follow-up ultrasounds (normally the
size is less than 1cm).
PREVENTION
Regular breast self examination (BSE) helps you to become familiar with the usual
feel of your breasts.
You will detect any lumps in the breast at an early stage of their development.
Most breast cancers are found (as a lump) by the woman, not by the doctor.
Early detection of a lump, if it is a breast cancer may mean a better chance of a cure
(the smaller lump the better chance to cure).
Breast examination should be done once a month a few days after the end of your
period (day 10 to 15 counting from day of menses). For post menopausal women to
do it at same date every month.
If you find a lump, dimpling of the skin or a discharge from nipple, make sure you see
your doctor as soon as possible.
Please do not be afraid or put it off. Most changes are not cancer.
REHABILITATION / PROGNOSIS
What is Clinical breast examination?
The prognosis is excellent, although patients with 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.
REFERENCES
Iglehart JK, Smith BL. Diseases of the breast. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD,
Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Tex