Fibroadenoma
When a woman feels something unusual in her breast, it's natural for her to worry that it's cancer. Fortunately, that's not always the case. Benign lumps known as fibroadenomas are one example of a harmless breast condition - Trevan Fischer MD
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Boobs and Boarding Passes: Fibroadenomas for Frequent Flyers
It’s not cancer. I say that because sometimes I need to remind myself of that, of how grateful I am for the fact that I have benign breast condition, and that’s far from the worst hand I could have been dealt. I say that, and write this post entirely, because it’s the kind of thing I would have liked to read when I first learned what a fibroadenoma was – just one woman’s account of how she handled having them in her twenties (warning – this is going to be a long one. It’s the kind of detail I was looking for when I was first diagnosed). Or, more broadly, how any travel addict juggles an unpleasant diagnosis with an incurable case of wanderlust.
Articles of Interest
All About Fibroadenomas
When a woman feels something unusual in her breast, it's natural for her to worry that it's cancer. Fortunately, that's not always the case. Benign lumps known as fibroadenomas are one example of a harmless breast condition.
Can Fibroadenomas Turn Into Cancer?
The large majority of fibroadenomas will not turn into breast cancer. However, it is possible for complex fibroadeomas to become cancerous. This type of lump is less common and faster growing than simple fibroadenomas and contains changes such as cell overgrowth (hyperplasia) and calcium deposits.
Carla H.
"I have had fibroadenomas, which are solid, benign breast lumps, for over 15 years. I felt my first lump at 12 years old and was told that I would need to monitor my fibroadenomas for the rest of my life as there is always a possibility that the lumps can turn malignant and grow into breast cancer.
Fibroadenoma: Once detected, what can be done to treat them?
There are several types of adenomas but fibroadenomas are the most commonly detected in the breasts of women. While these can occur at any stage of a woman’s life, they are more often found among pre-menopausal women.
Management of Breast Fibroadenomas
For women in which a fibroadenoma is diagnosed before the age of 35, we recommend conservative management with a protocol of follow-up every 6 months in order to detect any changes of the lesion.
Practical Management of Breast Fibroadenomas
The authors conclude that, in women younger than 35 years, conservative management of fibroadenomas is recommended, with a follow-up every six to 12 months until complete regression.
What is Fibroadenoma?
It is unknown what exactly causes fibroadenoma. It is suspected to be linked to reproductive hormones as they occur more often at the time of puberty or pregnancy and go away post-menopause. Use of hormone therapy is also suspected to be a potential cause of developing fibroadenoma.
Resources
Radiopaedia
Fibroadenoma is a common benign breast lesion and results from the excess proliferation of connective tissue. Fibroadenomas characteristically contain both stromal and epithelial cells.
StatPearls
A breast fibroadenoma is a painless, unilateral, benign tumor that presents as a solid lump. It commonly occurs in women between the age of 14 to 35 years.
