Fibroadenoma or fibroadenoma mammary (FAM) is a type of benign tumor in the breast. Fibroadenoma is characterized by a small lump in one or both breasts, which feels solid and easy to move.
Fibroadenoma is one of the most common benign breast tumors in women aged 15-35 years. These tumors are small in size with a dense texture and easy to move.
Fibroadenoma can go away on its own, but in some cases it can enlarge and must be removed through surgery.
Types of Fibroadenoma
Fibroadenoma is divided into several types, namely:
1. Simple fibroadenoma
Simple fibroadenoma This is the most common type of fibroadenoma. This type often occurs in young women. This breed has no risk of turning malignant.
2. Complex fibroadenoma
Complex fibroadenoma contain cells that can grow rapidly. This type of fibroadenoma usually occurs in elderly women.
3. Juvenile fibroadenoma
Juvenile fibroadenoma It usually occurs in women aged 10-18 years. These fibroadenomas can enlarge, but usually shrink over time.
4. Giant fibroadenoma
This type of fibroadenoma can enlarge to a size of 5 cm, so it must be removed so as not to press on the surrounding breast tissue.
5. Phyllodes tumor
Phyllodes tumors are usually benign, but can also turn malignant. The doctor will recommend this tumor to be removed.
Causes of Fibroadenoma
The exact cause of fibroadenoma is not known, but this condition is thought to be related to the activity of the hormone estrogen. This assumption arises because fibroadenoma often appears when women are of reproductive age.
Fibroadenomas are common in women who have the following factors:
- 15–30 years old
- Taking birth control pills before the age of 20
- Is pregnant
- Undergoing hormone replacement therapy
Fibroadenoma Symptoms
Fibroadenoma is sometimes not realized by the sufferer. In some cases, patients only realize that there is a fibroadenoma in their breasts when they do a breast self-examination (BSE), or when undergoing a mammogram or ultrasound.
Fibroadenoma is characterized by a lump in one or both breasts. Usually, fibroadenoma lumps are 1–5 cm in diameter, but some are up to 15 cm. These lumps have the following characteristics:
- It doesn't hurt
- Feels chewy and solid
- Round in shape with a bumpy edge that is easy to feel (the border feels firm)
- Easy to move
Although generally painless, fibroadenoma lumps can be painful before entering the menstrual period. Lumps can also enlarge when the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding and shrink after entering menopause.
When to go to the doctor
Fibroadenoma is the most common breast lump in women. These lumps are not malignant, so you don't have to worry too much. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor if you experience a lump accompanied by the following symptoms or signs:
- The lump feels different from the surrounding tissue
- The lump is growing fast
- The size, shape, and appearance of the breasts seem to change
- Pain in the breast does not go away even though the menstrual period has passed
- Red, wrinkled, or itchy breasts
- Abnormal discharge from the nipple
- Nipples go inside
Fibroadenoma Diagnosis
The doctor will ask questions related to the patient's symptoms, followed by a physical examination of the lump in the patient's breast. After that, the doctor will perform additional examinations, such as:
- Mammography, to see fibroadenoma lumps using X-rays
- Breast ultrasound, to see the structure of the breast tissue and detect whether the lump in the breast is solid or filled with fluid
- Biopsy or tissue sampling of a lump in the breast with the help of ultrasound, to assess changes in cells or tissue in the breast
Fibroadenoma Treatment
Fibroadenomas generally do not need to be treated. However, patients still have to see a doctor regularly so that changes in lumps can be detected early.
In some cases, there are certain conditions that can be considered by a doctor to remove a fibroadenoma. These conditions include the patient feeling anxious, the lump developing into cancer, or the patient has a family history of cancer.
Other conditions that can be considered for removal are enlarged and painful lumps, and abnormal examination or biopsy results on the patient's lump.
A fibroadenoma removal procedure can be done by:
- Lumpectomy, which is the surgical removal of a fibroadenoma lump. In addition to treating fibroadenoma, tissue samples from this procedure can also be further examined to determine the type of cells and tissues that are growing in the lump.
- Cryotherapy, which is a procedure to freeze and destroy fibroadenoma tissue using argon gas or liquid nitrogen
Please note, fibroadenoma can still reappear even after it has been removed. If this occurs, further examination and a biopsy will need to be performed to determine whether the new lump is a fibroadenoma or cancer.
Complications of Fibroadenoma
In the vast majority of cases, fibroadenomas do not cause complications and do not increase the risk of developing breast cancer. However, the risk of breast cancer will increase if the type of fibroadenoma experienced is: complex fibroadenoma or phyllodes tumor.
Fibroadenoma Prevention
As noted above, it is not yet known what causes fibroadenomas. Therefore, how to prevent it is also unknown. However, you can detect changes in your breasts by doing a breast self-examination (BSE).
BSE should be done between the 7th to 10th day after menstruation. The method is as follows:
- Stand straight in front of a mirror and observe for changes in the shape or surface of the breast skin, as well as swelling or changes in the nipples.
- Lift both arms up by bending your elbows and placing your hands behind your head, then push your elbows back and forth while observing the shape and size of your breasts.
- Place your hands on your waist and lean your shoulders forward while pushing your elbows forward, then tighten your chest muscles and look at your breasts.
- Lift the right arm up and bend the elbow until the left hand touches the top of the back, then touch and press the entire right breast to the armpit area using the fingertips of the left hand. Do palpation in a circle, vertically and horizontally.
- Gently pinch both nipples and see if there is any discharge.
- Place a pillow under your right shoulder in a lying position. Do palpation on the right breast as in step number 4 while continuing to observe the breast. Repeat the same steps on the left breast.