Breast Fibroadenoma: What It Is, Symptoms, and Types

A lump in the breast is a common reason for seeing a doctor, and in most cases it turns out to be benign. Fibroadenoma is one such case: a benign tumor of glandular origin. Below is what is known about it, without dramatization.

What a breast fibroadenoma is

Fibroadenoma is a benign organ-specific tumor of the breast of glandular origin. Its difference from an adenoma is the predominance of connective-tissue stroma over glandular parenchyma. The causes of its development have not been precisely established.

Fibroadenoma is among the common harmless causes of a breast lump, along with a cyst. Fibroadenoma is a dense, rounded, rubber-like formation that moves easily when pressed. The peak of detection is at 20–30 years of age; an asymptomatic tumor is sometimes first found later, during a preventive examination.

What a fibroadenoma looks and feels like, and whether it hurts

On palpation it is a clearly demarcated, mobile formation of dense-elastic consistency from 1 to 5 cm. The typical location is outside the areolar zone, more often the upper outer quadrant; a large tumor is sometimes visible as a subcutaneous bulge.

Tenderness is not characteristic of fibroadenoma: the nodules are painless and move freely. Pain and breast engorgement are more often associated with fibrocystic changes and intensify before menstruation — this is a different condition.

Types: mature, immature, and phyllodes tumor

• Mature — a dense, well-formed capsule, dense-elastic consistency, slow growth; predominantly at 20–40 years of age.
• Immature — soft-elastic, prone to progressive growth; observed in girls during puberty.
• By structure, intracanalicular, pericanalicular, and phyllodes types are distinguished; a mixed type is more common.
• Phyllodes fibroadenoma is rare, but it is the one that in 10% of cases can transform into a sarcoma — the only exception to the rule of benignity.

How a fibroadenoma differs from an adenoma and other nodules

The difference between a fibroadenoma and an adenoma lies in the ratio of tissues: in a fibroadenoma, the stroma predominates over the glandular parenchyma. A cyst is filled with fluid and may be painful, whereas a fibroadenoma is a dense formation.

Differential diagnosis is carried out with breast cancer, a cyst, and cystadenopapilloma. To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes an examination (ultrasound, biopsy). The cause of a lump cannot be determined on one's own — a doctor's consultation is needed.

How a fibroadenoma is diagnosed

In most cases, an examination and palpation, breast ultrasound, and fine-needle aspiration biopsy with cytological examination are sufficient. In case of doubt, mammography, core-needle biopsy, or sectoral resection with intraoperative histological examination are used.

A biopsy is the collection of cells with a needle for examination; the doctor reports the result after laboratory analysis.

Whether a fibroadenoma can disappear and when a doctor is needed

Yes. Immature fibroadenomas in girls sometimes degenerate on their own after a regular menstrual cycle is established, and after menopause the tumor regresses and calcifies. Some benign breast lumps may resolve on their own, but for a fibroadenoma this is not the rule. With a morphologically confirmed diagnosis, a fibroadenoma is observed; removal is discussed in cases of phyllodes structure, rapid growth, size over 2 cm, or at the patient's request.

See a doctor for any new lump in the breast or armpit, nipple retraction, retracted skin, or bloody discharge from the nipple. There is no specific primary prevention of fibroadenoma; for secondary prevention, regular breast ultrasound is used.

A fibroadenoma by itself is not a reason to call an ambulance; 103/112 — for life-threatening conditions.

The text is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation: the decision on examination is made by a specialist after an examination.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer