FIBROADENOMA: CAUSES, COMPLICATIONS AND TREATMENT

Divya Sharma
January 18, 2022

Fibroadenoma is the condition when a non-cancerous lump or tumor is observed in the breast tissue. It has benign nature, that means it does not spread to the other organs of the body. That makes it different from breast cancer as the major tumors show malignancy by spreading to other body parts.

The condition is usually reported in the age group 15-35 years. The lumps have a small size of 1-2 cm. The size goes up to 5 cm in rare conditions. Researches have shown that the females having a family history involving breast cancer are more likely to be affected.

One might get to know about the lumps formed as they are painless. In many cases of fibroadenoma, the patient is unable to feel any tumors in the breast. The detected tumors may have soft, rubber-like or a firm texture. Generally, only a single lump is present but a significant number of women have experienced two or more lumps. No breast discharge is there like in the case of cancerous tumors.

The absolute cause of the disease is yet unknown but the doctors have stated that it may be due to alteration of hormone levels occurring during adolescence and pregnancy. The lumps may go away by themselves during the onst of menopause.

Types of fibroadenomas:

  1. Simple fibroadenomas: These appear to be similar when a microscopic view is taken. The size does not change with time.
  2. Compex fibroadenomas: The lumps observed have a bigger size usually characterised by a rapid cell growth. This class of fibroadenoma tends to affect older women more.
  3. Juvenile fibroadenomas: It is seen in the age group 10-18 years of age. The lumps may shrink over time and some of them may disappear later on.
  4. Giant fibroadenomas: These have a comparatively larger size that may go up to 5 cm. Doctors may prescribe their removal in case they exert pressure on other breast tissues or replace them.
  5. Phyllodes tumor: They have a benign nature but have a chance of getting converted into malignant cancerous tumors. Their removal is generally recommended.

Diagnosis: Various methods like clinical examination, mammography, breast mammography and some other non usual techniques are used to evaluate the lump and undergo the appropriate treatment procedure. 

Through different needle techniques it can also be known if the lump is the normal one or a cyst (filled with liquid). 

Treatment

Most of the cases do not require any treatment but if any complication is there, the lumps are removed by the doctor.

Non-surgical management : If it is totally confirmed by the diagnosis that the lump is due to fibroadenoma, a surgery may not be needed. The condition can be simply monitored on a regular basis by imaging tests or undergoing biopsy. If anything abnormal is noticed, you may go for the surgical procedure of removal.

Surgical management: Surgery is recommended in the cases when the lumps seem to be abnormal or the size is so massive that it impacts the other tissues in the breast. 

  1. Lumpectomy: The breast tissue containing the lump is removed and sent to the laboratory for further analysis.
  2. Cryoablation: A thin rod-like object, known as cryoprobe is inserted in the breast until it reaches the lump. The tissue is destroyed by freezing it using a gas

The possibility of new lumps due to fibroadenoma is there even after removal of the existing ones. Therefore, it is a must to go through clinical examinations and timely eradicate the lumps if formed again.

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