Have you ever felt a lump in your breast while you were examining it yourself, or while taking a shower? It's normal to feel a lot of fear and anxiety when you feel something like that. "Is this cancer?" is the question that always comes to mind. But let's first say that not all lumps in the breast are cancer. In fact, many of them are harmless and can be simple things. Today we are talking about fibroadenoma, a type of lump that is very common among women, but is not cancerous.
Simply put, what is a fibroadenoma?
A fibroadenoma is a benign, firm lump that forms in the breast. Specifically, it is made up of a mixture of fibrous tissue and glandular tissue in the breast. These lumps are usually round, soft to the touch, and may move slightly under the skin. They feel like a small, smooth marble inside the breast.
The important thing is that fibroadenomas are not cancer. Except in very rare, unimaginable cases, they do not become cancerous.
In most cases, these lumps will shrink over time without any treatment, or they may disappear completely. Sometimes, your doctor may monitor the lump for a while to see if it changes, or may recommend surgical removal if necessary.
Are there types of fibroadenomas?
Yes, there are several main types. Let's see what they are.
| Type of fibroadenoma | Things to know about this |
|---|---|
| Simple Fibroadenoma | This is the most common type. They are usually small in size. Most importantly, these types of lumps do not pose a risk of breast cancer. When viewed under a microscope, the cells in this tissue look the same everywhere, uniform. |
| Complex Fibroadenoma | These are most common in women over the age of 35. They can also be quite large. When viewed under a microscope, they can show small changes in the cells. You may also see calcifications or cysts on your mammogram. This type of lump may slightly increase your risk of breast cancer compared to someone who doesn't have any lumps. But it's not a big risk. |
| Giant Fibroadenoma | These are a type of fibroadenoma that grows larger than 5 centimeters. |
| Juvenile Fibroadenoma | These are a very rare type that occur in young girls between the ages of 10 and 18. |
How common is this condition?
This is actually very common. Fibroadenomas are the most common non-cancerous lumps in the breasts. They are especially common among women between the ages of 15 and 35. According to surveys, one in 10 women (10%) will develop at least one fibroadenoma in their lifetime.
What are the symptoms of a fibroadenoma?
If you have a fibroadenoma, you may experience:
- A solid lump: These are not like cysts that are filled with fluid, but are solid in nature.
- No pain: These are usually painless, but sometimes you may feel a little soreness and tenderness a few days before your period starts.
- Moves easily: If you press on it with your fingers, you will feel this lump moving back and forth under the skin.
- Smooth, rubbery texture: When held in the hand, it has a smooth texture, sometimes even feeling like a rubber ball.
- Clear boundaries: The edges of the lump are clearly demarcated, meaning it doesn't appear to be intermingled with the surrounding tissue.
These lumps often grow very large. Sometimes they don't grow at all, but stay the same size, and they can shrink over time. These are more likely to shrink, especially if you are young or near menopause. However, during pregnancy, they can become slightly larger due to hormonal changes.
Why do these fibroadenomas form?
Doctors have not been able to find a definitive cause for this, but many believe it is related to sensitivity to the hormone estrogen .
Imagine, when estrogen levels in our bodies increase (for example, during pregnancy, when taking hormone therapy), these lumps tend to grow. Also, when estrogen levels decrease after menopause, they shrink. This is where the idea of this hormonal connection comes from.
How do you diagnose this? What tests will the doctor do?
If you find a lump in your breast, the best thing to do is to see a doctor as soon as possible. Don't panic, but it's definitely important to get it checked out. Your doctor can examine you and do tests like these to find out exactly what the lump is.
1. Clinical Breast Exam: First, the doctor will physically examine both of your breasts. This will give you an idea of the size, shape, and mobility of the lump.
2. Imaging Scans:
- Ultrasound Scan: This uses sound waves to create a clear image of the lump. This can help determine whether the lump is solid or a fluid-filled cyst.
- Mammogram: This is an X-ray examination of the breasts. It is usually recommended for women over 35-40 years of age.
3. Biopsy (Image-guided core needle biopsy): Some people are scared when they hear the word "biopsy," but it's very simple. They look at the lump on a scan, insert a very small needle into it, and take a small piece of tissue. It's then sent to a lab to be tested to see what kind of cells it contains. This can tell you 100% for sure whether it's a fibroadenoma or something else.
How are fibroadenomas treated? Should they be removed?
The treatment for this depends on your age, the size of the lump, your symptoms, and the results of the biopsy report.
- Monitoring: If the biopsy confirms that it is a harmless, simple fibroadenoma, and it is not causing you any problems (such as pain), the doctor will often say , "Let's watch this for a while." This means that you will need to come in for a checkup every 3-6 months. At that time, the doctor will physically examine the lump and, if necessary, do a scan to see if there has been any change in size. Most of the time, these will shrink on their own, so surgery is not necessary.
- Surgical Excision: In some cases, your doctor may recommend surgical removal for the following reasons:
- If the biopsy report shows features of a "complex fibroadenoma".
- If the lump is large in size (e.g. more than 3-4 cm).
- If that causes you pain or discomfort.
- If the lump continues to grow rapidly.
- If you have any concerns or fears about this.
This surgery is very simple. A small incision is made and only the lump is removed.
- Cryoablation: This is a new treatment method. In this, a small device is used to freeze and destroy the tumor. However, this method is not very commonly used in Sri Lanka.
The most important thing is that the decision to have a fibroadenoma removed is something you and your doctor should make together. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor any questions you have.
What questions should you ask your doctor?
When we go to see the doctor, sometimes we forget what we want to ask. So it's a good idea to write down some questions like these.
- What type of lump do I have?
- What is the best treatment for me? Do I need to remove this?
- What will happen if this lump is not removed?
- Will this increase my risk of developing breast cancer in the future?
- How often should I have tests (like a mammogram)?
- Are there any other special things I should take care of with my breasts?
| When to see a doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| If you notice a new lump | If you feel a new lump that wasn't there before, you should get it checked out. |
| If the existing lump changes | If the lump gets bigger, changes shape, or causes pain that wasn't there before. |
| Other breast changes | Nipple discharge, inverted nipple, skin discoloration, orange peel skin, or a skin rash. |
Can fibroadenomas be prevented?
Unfortunately, there is no surefire way to prevent fibroadenomas from developing, as they are related to hormonal activity. However, you can take care of the overall health of your breasts, which can also reduce your risk of breast cancer.
- Do a regular breast self-exam: Check your breasts at least once a month. This will give you a good idea of the general condition of your breasts and help you identify any new changes quickly.
- A healthy lifestyle: Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, controlling your weight, and avoiding alcohol and smoking are all good for overall health as well as breast health.
- Regular medical checkups: Get tests like mammograms at the intervals recommended by your doctor based on your age and risk.
Take-Home Message
- Fibroadenoma is a very common, non-cancerous (benign) lump that forms in the breast.
- It's normal to feel scared when you find a lump in your breast. But not all lumps are cancerous.
- These lumps are usually painless, smooth, and move back and forth under the skin.
- Most fibroadenomas do not require treatment. They may shrink on their own over time.
- If you notice a new lump or notice a change in an existing lump, see a doctor right away. It's the safest and best thing you can do.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න