fibroadenoma Treatment in India

What is a fibroadenoma?

A fibroadenoma is a noncancerous tumor in the breast that’s commonly found in women under the age of 30. African-American women are more likely to develop these tumors. The tumor consists of breast tissue and stromal, or connective, tissue. Fibroadenomas can occur in one or both breasts. Some fibroadenomas are so small they can’t be felt. When you’re able to feel one, it’s very distinct from the surrounding tissue. They’re moveable under the skin and typically not tender. These tumors often feel like marbles, but may have a rubbery feel to them.

Causes

It’s unknown exactly what causes fibroadenomas. Hormones such as estrogen may play a part in the growth and development of the tumors. Taking oral contraceptives before the age of 20 has been associated with a higher risk of developing fibroadenomas as well. These tumors may grow larger in size, particularly during pregnancy. During menopause, they often shrink. It’s also possible for fibroadenomas to resolve on their own.

Types of Fibroadenomas

There are two types of fibroadenomas: Simple fibroadenomas and Complex fibroadenomas.

• The simple tumors don’t increase breast cancer risk and look the same all over when viewed under a microscope.
• The complex tumors contain other components such as macrocysts, fluid-filled sacs large enough to feel and to see without a microscope. They also contain calcifications, or calcium deposits. Complex fibroadenomas can slightly increase your risk of breast cancer. The American Cancer Society states that women with complex fibroadenomas have approximately one and a half times greater risk of developing breast cancer than women with no breast lumps.

Fibroadenomas in children

Juvenile fibroadenoma is extremely rare and generally classified as benign. When fibroadenomas do occur, girls are more likely to develop them. Because it’s rare, the outlook for children with fibroadenoma is difficult to summarize.

How are fibroadenomas diagnosed?

A physical examination will be conducted and your breasts will be palpated (examined manually).

• A breast ultrasound or mammogram imaging test may also be ordered: A breast ultrasound involves lying on a table while a handheld device called a transducer is moved over the skin of the breast, creating a picture on a screen. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast taken while the breast is compressed between two flat surfaces.
• A fine needle aspiration or biopsy may be performed to remove tissue for testing. This involves inserting a needle into the breast and removing small pieces of the tumor. The tissue will then be sent to a lab for microscopic examination to determine the type of fibroadenoma and if it’s cancerous.

Treating a fibroadenoma

If you receive a fibroadenoma diagnosis, it doesn’t necessarily have to be removed. Depending on your physical symptoms, family history, and personal concerns, you and your doctor can decide whether to have it removed. Fibroadenomas that don’t grow and are definitely not cancerous can be closely monitored with clinical breast exams and imaging tests, such as mammograms and ultrasounds.

The decision to have a fibroadenoma removed typically depends on the following:

• if it impacts the natural shape of the breast
• if it causes pain
• if you’re concerned about developing cancer
• if you have a family history of cancer
• if you receive questionable biopsy results
• If a fibroadenoma is removed, it’s possible for one or more to grow in its place. Treatment options for children are similar to those followed for adults, but the more conservative route is favored.
• Living with a fibroadenoma
• Due to the slightly increased risk of breast cancer, you should have regular checkups with your doctor and schedule regular mammograms if you have fibroadenomas,you should also make breast self-exams a regular part of your routine. If there are any changes in the size or shape of an existing fibroadenoma, call your doctor right away.

Treatment

In many cases, fibroadenomas require no treatment. However, some women choose surgical removal for their peace of mind.

Nonsurgical management

If your doctor is reasonably certain that your breast lump is a fibroadenoma — based on the results of the clinical breast exam, imaging test and biopsy — you might not need surgery.

You might decide against surgery because:

• Surgery can distort the shape and texture of the breast
• Fibroadenomas sometimes shrink or disappear on their own
• The breast has multiple fibroadenomas that appear to be stable — no changes in size on an ultrasound compared to an earlier ultrasound
• If you choose not to have surgery, it's important to monitor the fibroadenoma with follow-up visits to your doctor for breast ultrasounds to detect changes in the appearance or size of the lump. If you later become worried about the fibroadenoma, you can reconsider surgery to remove it.

Surgery

Your doctor might recommend surgery to remove the fibroadenoma if one of your tests — the clinical breast exam, an imaging test or a biopsy — is abnormal or if the fibroadenoma is extremely large, gets bigger or causes symptoms.

Procedures to remove a fibroadenoma include:

• Lumpectomy or excisional biopsy. In this procedure, a surgeon removes breast tissue and sends it to a lab to check for cancer.
• Cryoablation. Your doctor inserts a thin, wand-like device (cryoprobe) through your skin to the fibroadenoma. A gas is used to freeze and destroy the tissue. After a fibroadenoma is removed, it's possible for one or more new fibroadenomas to develop. New breast lumps need to be assessed with a mammogram, ultrasound and possibly biopsy — to determine if the lump is a fibroadenoma or might become cancerous.

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Frequently asked questions

Q.Can fibroadenomas turn into breast cancer?

Although it is rare, complex fibroadenomas and phyllodes tumors have a chance to develop into malignant breast cancer. A fibroadenoma is the most common type of benign, non-cancerous lump of the breast.

Q.What happens if fibroadenoma is left untreated?

Fibroadenomas do not usually cause any complications. It is possible that a person may develop breast cancer out of a fibroadenoma, but this is highly unlikely. According to research, only around 0.002 to 0.125 percent of fibroadenomas become cancerous.

Q.Do breast fibroadenomas hurt?

Fibroadenomas do not move far within the breast. Usually, fibroadenomas are not painful. However, they can be uncomfortable or very sensitive to touch. Often women find that their fibroadenoma gets tender in the days before their period.

Q.Do fibroadenomas grow in size?

Over time, a fibroadenoma may grow in size or even shrink and disappear. The average fibroadenoma is anywhere from the size of a marble up to 2.5 centimeters (cm) in diameter. If it grows to 5 cm or larger, it's called a giant fibroadenoma.

Q.How long does fibroadenoma removal take?

The procedure takes about 1 hour. The surgeon makes a small cut on your breast. The cancer and some of the normal breast tissue around it is removed. A pathologist examines a sample of the removed tissue to make sure all the cancer has been taken out.

Q.What happens if fibroadenoma grows?

If your fibroadenoma gets larger, the doctor suspects that it might, or they aren't sure whether a lump is a fibroadenoma or not, they'll likely recommend removing any lumps. This will help confirm that a lump isn't cancer and that it doesn't grow and distort the surrounding breast tissue.

Q.What should I do after fibroadenoma surgery?

• Rest. When you get home from the hospital, you might be fatigued from the experience.
• Take pain medication as needed.
• Take sponge baths until your doctor has removed your drains and/or sutures.
• Wear a good sports or support bra.
• Begin doing arm exercises.

Q.How long does it take to recover from fibroadenoma surgery?

Tenderness should go away in about 2 or 3 days, and the bruising within 2 weeks. Firmness and swelling may last for 3 to 6 months. You may feel a soft lump in your breast that gradually turns hard.