Fibroadenoma

Inno-tree: The most common benign tumor of youth

Fibroadenoma in breast anatomy Breast Care Clinic Patras Ioannis Haveles Mastologist Breast Surgeon — Schematic representation of the breast anatomy: Fibroadenoma

Fibroadenomas are solid breast lumps that occur mostly in young women between 15 and 35 years of age. In general, fibroadenoma is not a dangerous lump, but we must recognize it, make a proper diagnosis and perform appropriate follow-up, lump biopsy or surgery when needed. On this page we will talk about the key features of this very common breast tumour.

Can fibroadenoma cause breast cancer?

This is the first and most basic question every woman asks when she learns that she has a fibroadenoma in her breast. Properly diagnosed by biopsy and histological examination, fibroadenoma does not cause an increase in the chances of developing breast cancer. Just as much as a normal breast has a chance of developing cancer, a simple fibroadenoma does not.

“And why have I heard of cases where fibroadenoma has caused cancer?”

If you have heard such stories, they are due to incomplete and incorrect diagnoses. Fortunately now, with the implementation of guided percutaneous biopsy as part of Triple Breast Screening, nothing is left to chance. This avoids almost all the unfortunate cases of misdiagnosis of another tumour as a simple fibroadenoma

How do I know I have a fibroadenoma in my breast?

Fibroadenoma on breast self-examination:

Breast lump on self-examination - Breast Care Clinic of Patras Ioannis Haveles Mastologist Breast Surgeon — I found a lump on self-examination. What should I do?

It is very common for a woman to find a fibroadenoma on self-examination. She will feel a round or oval hard lump that will move with palpation.

Fibroadenoma on clinical examination:

Then she should see her mammologist, who will investigate the finding clinically. In the specialized breast examination the breast surgeon will look for features that will give the impression of a benign lump located within the breast,without affecting the surrounding gland.

Multiple breast fibroadenomas in a clinical examination by a breast surgeon - Patras Breast Care Clinic — Breast surgeon discovers multiple breast fibroadenomas

Fibroadenoma on radiological examination:

Your mammologist will request the assistance of a radiologist with ultrasound and perhaps digital mammography, if your age allows (35 years and older).

Breast lump Fibroadenoma on breast ultrasound Fibroadenoma on mammography Breast Care Clinic of Patras Ioannis Haveles Breast Surgeon Mammologist — Fibroadenoma on breast ultrasound and mammography

Usually breast ultrasound is sufficient to give the impression of a fibroadenoma and to accurately determine the size of the lump. Many times fibroadenomas can also be seen on mammography. However, in this case, the greatest utility of mammography is to exclude the existence of a more serious pathology in the breast.

Many times, on a breast MRI done to investigate another lump, a fibroadenoma is found by chance. Breast MRI usually clearly shows the benign features of the breast fibroadenoma.

How can we be sure that the lump is just a fibroadenoma?

The real answer is: “Only by biopsy and histological confirmation”. Clinical examination and breast imaging give us a good idea, but they are not absolute. The only conclusive proof is a biopsy of part of the tumor.

Do all women need a biopsy on a breast lump – possible fibroadenoma?

Women who do not necessarily need a biopsy of the lump:

In young women age 15-30 years in whom we perceive a possible fibroadenoma, a biopsy is not warranted if it is typical on examination and ultrasound. A discreet periodic examination and follow-up is usually sufficient.
In lumps that are known from years and do not show any particular changes on examination or atypical features on breast ultrasound

Women who need a biopsy on the lump:

Women aged over 30-35 years with a new breast lump on examination and on breast imaging
Large lump that changes characteristics on examination by a mammologist and breast radiographic screening
Numps with atypical features on examination, regardless of the woman’s age
New lump discovered before pregnancy
New lump in a woman in a high-risk group from family history of breast cancer or other reason, regardless of age
Any woman who wants 100% certainty of diagnosis so she can safely avoid surgery

When does a fibroadenoma need surgery?

Breast Surgery in Patras Breast Care Clinic of Patras Ioannis Haveles Breast Surgeon Mastologist — The most important thing in fibroadenomas is correct diagnosis and not immediate removal

The fibroadenoma that grows very large in size, more than 3-4 cm
The fibroadenoma that on re-examination appears to grow very rapidly
If the examination reveals atypical features, clinically or radiologically
When atypicality is found on guided percutaneous biopsy
If a woman wants to avoid repeated screening and follow-up
If a woman is about to become pregnant and it is likely that the lump will grow
When it causes a cosmetic problem in the breast
When it causes symptoms such as breast pain
When it causes anxiety to the woman who feels it
Of the woman’s own decision, for any other personal reason

What is the priority in a breast fibroadenoma excision surgery?

Aesthetic breast surgery for removal of benign breast lumps fibroadenoma surgery Breast Care Clinic Ioannis Haveles Mastologist Breast Surgeon — Even if the fibroadenomas are there, the incisions will be elsewhere and will be indistinguishable.

When the preoperative screening has been done properly and we know that the lump is a fibroadenoma, then all the focus is on excellent dissection. This becomes even more important considering the young age of the women who usually undergo these types of procedures.

I have many small fibroadenomas, how will they be removed? Where will the incision be?

See the answers to the most frequently asked questions we receive at the Breast Care Clinic of Patras:

Does each fibroadenoma need a separate incision in the skin?

Of course not. Multiple fibroadenomas are removed by a single, well-planned incision in an unseen position in the breast. There is no need for multiple surgeries. Absolutely no multiple incisions are made in the skin of the breast. All sutures in the skin are of the plastic type, with absorbable internal sutures. The scar is inconspicuous a few months after surgery.

What is the most common incision for fibroadenoma removal?

Breast cosmetic surgery incisions for benign tumors Breast Care Clinic Ioannis Haveles Breast Surgeon Mammologist — The most common incisions for cosmetic excision of benign breast tumors

The incision we commonly use is the perithecal incision. It does not show through clothing, “fades” completely after a few months and is generally uneventful. It also gives the surgeon access to an extremely large portion of the breast in the case of multiple lumps. For lumps in the lower breast may be a very good option for a subthelial incision, with equally good aesthetic results.

If the fibroadenomas are small and non-palpable, how will they be removed?

Breast Surgeon Mastologist Ioannis Haveles uses intraoperative ultrasound for the detection and excision of multiple non-small breast lumps in Patras Breast Care Clinic — Use of intraoperative ultrasound for the excision of multiple and non-small lumps, such as fibroadenomas, in Patras

At the Patras Breast Care Clinic, it is common to remove multiple microscopic lumps in a planned surgery. During the surgery, breast surgeon Ioannis Haveles uses ultrasound guidance to locate and remove all the lumps.