Ever heard of the term ‘Fibroadenoma’?
Not many of us. Right?
Well, a survey conducted by Lifeunfold.com, reveals the ignorance amongst young women about this terminology. So, for a better understanding, here is what you should know about Fibroadenoma.
MEANING
The most common benign breast tumor that occurs generally in young women. Breasts are made up of lobules (the glands that produce milk) and the ducts (the tubes that carry milk to the nipple). They are surrounded by the glandular tissues, which are fibrous supporting tissues and fatty tissues. Fibroadenoma is grown from a lobule. When the glandular tissue and ducts grow over the lobule, it forms a solid lump. You may get scared if you find a lump in your breast. But these lumps are not always cancerous.
WHO is at RISK?
Usually, found in young women between the age of 15-30, it is estimated that out of every 10 women, 8 women suffer from fibroadenoma. However, it sometimes gets detected in menopausal women who are on hormone replacement therapy. The incidences of fibroadenoma reduce with the age.
SIGNS and SYMPTOMS
- Smooth, round and easily movable, marble like swelling. It is also referred as ‘Floating Tumor ‘ or ‘Breast Mouse’. The size of the tumor may vary from one to five centimeters.
- Generally, these lumps are painless and you may detect them in both the breasts.
- It could be single or multiple.
- Sometimes, when you touch the lumps you may feel tenderness and pain, especially before periods and subsides after periods.
What CAUSES fibroadenoma?
The exact reason is unknown, but they seem to be influenced by oestrogen hormones. Fibroadenoma may not be life-threatening, butthe hormones like estrogen play an important part in the growth and development of these tumors. Also, it has been found that young girls before the age of 20 who takes the oral contraceptive develop the risk of fibroadenoma. These tumors grow, particularly in pregnancy. During menopause, these lumps often shrink. In some cases it has been found that these lumps resolve of their own.
FEEL them to KNOW them
Sometimes one doesn’t feel these lumps as they are too small. But if you are able to feel them, consult an expert immediately. You can easily detect them as these lumps have defined edges and have a noticeable shape. They are easily movable, usually not tender and have a rubbery feel to them.
TYPES
Fibroadenoma is of two types:
- Simple fibroadenoma: Simple tumors do not increase the risk of cancer. Simple fibroadenoma, when looked under the microscope looks the same
- Complex fibroadenoma: These tumors may increase the risk of breast cancer. The complex tumors contain the components like macro cysts and calcifications.
According to The American Cancer Society, “the women with complex fibroadenomas are at greater risk (one to two times) of developing breast cancer than the women with no breast lumps.”
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis of Fibroadenoma includes:
- A physical examination under which breasts are examined manually.
- Mammography: A process of using low amplitude X-rays to examine breasts.
- A breast ultrasound that involves lying on a table and a hand held device called a transducer is moved over the breast skin.
- Biopsy or a fine needle aspiration is performed to remove tissue for testing. The tissue is then sent to a laboratory for microscopic examination. This process determines the type of fibroadenoma and if it is cancerous or not.
TREATMENT
If you feel lumps in your breast, it is not necessary to remove them. However, it is advised to take the second opinion whether to remove them or not. The lumps that don’t grow are considered non-cancerous. To detect, it is closely monitored with clinical breast exams and imaging tests. If it impacts the natural shape of the breast and causes pain, the lumps are removed. Also, if one suffers from family history of cancer and receives alarming biopsy results, lumps are advised to be removed. In some cases, even if the fibroadenoma is removed, it is quite possible that it again grows in the same or the other breast.
ADVICE
Regular self-examination of breasts is recommended. If you feel marble like lumps, look for an expert. If you feel any change in the shape and size of existing fibroadenoma, call your doctor right away.
Image Courtesy: dr-wirth.ch