Fibroadenomas are benign masses that develop in the breast structure. They are commonly seen in women between the ages of 15-35. The structure of these masses is hard, smooth, rubbery and their borders can be well defined. Fibroadenomas can be felt like a ball in the breast tissue. When examined, they can easily move under the skin and can be of different sizes. Fibroadenomas are especially common in women and do not develop into cancer.
A woman may have a single fibroadenoma tumor or multiple tumors. The basic mechanism by which these tumors develop is not yet clear, but female reproductive hormones are thought to be involved in the development of this mass. It is generally seen during childbearing age. Fibroadenoma masses can grow during pregnancy or while taking hormone therapy. Fibroadenoma masses can shrink during menopause when reproductive hormone levels decrease.
What are the Symptoms of Fibroadenoma?
Fibroadenomas are defined as solid breast tumors. Fibroadenoma symptoms are as follows;
- It is round in shape, smoothly limited.
- It can be moved easily.
- No pain occurs.
- They have a hard or rubbery consistency.
- Fibroadenomas can occur in one breast or both breasts.
In healthy women, lumpy structures can sometimes be felt in the breast tissue. If a new tumor is palpable and there are differences in the breast, a specialist should be consulted. If the size of the previously controlled breast tumor increases and the tumor separates from the surrounding breast structure, it should be checked by a specialist again.
What are the Types of Fibroadenoma?
It is called benign breast tumors, which are generally seen in women between the ages of 15-35. There are different types of fibroadenoma. These types are as follows;
Simple Fibroadenoma: When examined with a microscope, the masses look identical to each other. Simple fibroadenomas do not increase the risk of breast cancer.
Complex fibroadenomas: The cells that make up these masses can divide very quickly and the tumor tissue can grow rapidly. Complex masses are usually seen in women who are older in age.
Juvenile fibroadenomas: It is a common breast tumor in adolescents and young people between the ages of 10-18. These tumors usually shrink and disappear. In some, growth can be observed.
Giant fibroadenoma: These masses can reach sizes larger than 5 cm. Giant fibroadenomas may need to be surgically removed as they may put pressure on the surrounding breast structure.
Phyllodes tumor: These tumors are not fibroadenomas. These masses are generally benign, but some masses may be malignant, precursors of cancer.
How is Fibroadenoma Diagnosed?
Before the diagnosis of fibroadenoma is determined, breast control is performed. The specialist examines tumors and other differences in both breasts. Some fibroadenoma masses are too small to be detected by hand. Various imaging techniques can be used to detect these masses. If a palpable mass is detected on examination, further tests are planned, taking into account factors such as the age of the patient and the nature of the mass.
Diagnostic mammography can be used to examine the breast tumor. On mammography, fibroadenomas are seen as a round mass with normal edges, different from the surrounding breast structure. If mammography detects a breast tumor or a different condition, ultrasound can be used for further evaluation.
Breast ultrasound helps the specialist to determine whether the mass in the breast is solid or filled with liquid. If the tumor is detected as solid on ultrasound, it can be considered as a fibroadenoma, and if it is seen filled with liquid, it can be considered as a cyst.
Another preferred method for examiningbreast tumors is fine needle aspiration. In this method, the specialist takes a sample from the tumor in the breast with the help of a fine needle. If the sample taken from the mass is liquid, it can be determined that the mass has cystic characteristics.
In core needle biopsy, the specialist takes a piece of the tumor with ultrasound. These pieces are sent to the laboratory for examination.
What are Fibroadenoma Treatment Methods?
Fibroadenomas generally do not require treatment. But some women prefer to have these masses removed. If it is clear from the control, imaging techniques and biopsy that the tumor in the patient is fibroadenoma, the patient does not need to choose surgery. Patients may not choose surgery when the possibility of surgery disrupting the shape and texture of the breast and the possibility of fibroadenomas shrinking and disappearing on their own over time are considered. In addition, it is observed that the masses remain constant over time in the breast with multiple fibroadenomas. Therefore, patients may not prefer surgical treatment methods.
People who do not prefer surgical procedure should be examined regularly by a specialist. In these examinations, differences in the size or appearance of the mass can be observed by ultrasound. If the patient starts to have doubts about fibroadenomas in the breast structure, they have the chance to re-evaluate the surgery.
If there is a problem with fibroadenomas in the control, imaging or biopsy results, the specialist may recommend surgery. The problems with fibroadenomas are generally too large a size, sudden growth or causing unwanted symptoms.
Various surgical procedures can be used to remove these masses. The first of these is called lumpectomy or excisional biopsy. In the lumpectomy procedure, the surgeon removes the mass in the breast together with a portion of the surrounding breast tissue. This tissue is observed in the laboratory to assess whether it is cancerous or not.
The other technique used to remove the tumor is cryoablation. In this operation, a rod-like instrument (cryoprobe) is carried through the skin towards the fibroadenoma tumor inside the breast. When the tumor is reached, the gas coming out of the cryoprobe freezes the tissue and eliminates it.
Laser ablation method can also be applied for fibroadenoma treatment. In this operation, fibroadenoma tissue is destroyed with a laser device accompanied by expert ultrasound. Laser ablation generally does not require anesthesia and the person can be discharged on the same day after the operation. Another advantage of laser ablation is that the operation does not cause any difference in the breast except for a small scar.
Another procedure that can be performed in the treatment of fibroadenoma is radiofrequency ablation. For this procedure, the person is put under local anesthesia and the operation is performed under ultrasound guidance. A 6-8 mm incision is made on the fibroadenoma mass. Through this incision, a thin rod-shaped device is carried into the breast.
When the tumor tissue is reached, a small knife heated by radiofrequency inside the device cuts the tumor tissue and separates it from the surrounding breast tissue. The advantage of this operation is that there is no heavy bleeding when the tumor tissue is cut out.
After fibroadenoma masses are removed, new masses may form in the breast structure. Techniques such as mammography, ultrasound and biopsy are used to determine what the new masses are.
Fibroadenomas are usually benign masses and do not increase the risk of cancer. Women who detect a breast lump should consult their nearest health care provider without delay. Women are advised to have regular examinations in the fight against breast cancer.