Fibroadenomas are benign breast tumors that appear most commonly in younger women. They can be linked to estrogen, but do not increase the risk of breast cancer. Diagnostic tools such as mammography and biopsy can confirm the lump is a fibroadenoma, which can be left alone or removed for convenience or cosmetic reasons. Recovery times after removal are usually short.
A fibroadenoma is a benign tumor found in breast tissue. Fibroadenomas appear most commonly in younger women between the ages of 15 and 30 and should always be evaluated by a doctor to ensure they are correctly identified. You may also hear fibroadenomas referred to as “breast lumps.” They are not inherently harmful, although they can grow large enough to restrict circulation to the breast or violate a woman’s freedom of movement, and they do not appear to increase the risk of breast cancer.
Most fibroadenomas are roughly spherical and contain both glandular and fibrous tissue. To palpation, a fibroadenoma looks like a marble and will move freely in the breast because the tumor is unattached. Most appear behind the breast aureole and appear more often in the left breast than the right. It is estimated that one in 10 women will experience a breast fibroadenoma at some point, with approximately 10% of women having multiple fibroadenomas.
Some studies suggest that the formation of fibroadenomas may be linked to estrogen. Teens on hormonal birth control appear to be more at risk, supporting this theory. However, the precise cause of fibroadenoma formation is not known. Studies have shown that women with fibroadenomas are more likely to develop breast cancer later in life, leading some people to incorrectly conclude that fibroadenomas cause breast cancer; instead, doctors suspect that the risks for fibroadenoma are similar to those of breast cancer and that a fibroadenoma can be seen as an early warning sign.
Fibroadenomas are often discovered during monthly breast self-exams or clinical breast exams. Because a breast lump is a cause for concern until it can be identified, a doctor typically uses diagnostic tools to confirm that the lump is a fibroadenoma. These tools may include mammography and biopsy. Once the fibroadenoma is identified, a decision can be made about what to do with it. It is generally safe to leave the breast tumor alone, checking regularly for increases in size, and it can also be removed for convenience, cosmetic reasons, or any concerns that may arise.
When a fibroadenoma is removed in a lumpectomy, the procedure is usually fairly quick and done in an outpatient setting. Recovery times are usually short; the patient may experience pain and tenderness for a few days and may be encouraged to rest and refrain from strenuous exercise for the first few days of recovery. After a lumpectomy, women should continue to have their breasts examined regularly and should follow recommendations on the frequency of clinical breast exams.
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