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Breast Cancer Care doesn’t just support people
affected by breast cancer. We also highlight the
Fibroadenoma
Phone: 0845 077 1895 importance of early detection and answer your
Fibroadenoma was written by Breast Cancer Email: [email protected] questions about breast health. Our publications and
Care’s clinical specialists, and reviewed by website provide up-to-date, expert information on This leaflet tells you about
healthcare professionals and members of Wales, South West and Central England breast conditions and looking after your breasts. fibroadenomas. It explains
the public. Phone: 0845 077 1894 what a fibroadenoma is,
If you have a breast cancer or breast health query
Email: [email protected] how it’s diagnosed and what
contact our Helpline on 0808 800 6000 or visit
www.breastcancercare.org.uk will happen if it needs to be
East Midlands and the North of England followed up or treated.
For a full list of the sources
Phone: 0845 077 1893
we used to research it:
Email: [email protected] Although much more
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common in women, men
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can also get fibroadenomas
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(but this is very rare).
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What is a fibroadenoma? Most fibroadenomas are about 1 to 3cm in size and fibroadenoma may be diagnosed by examination chamber. The biopsy device is used in this way
are called simple fibroadenomas. Occasionally, a and ultrasound only. However, if there’s any until all of the fibroadenoma has been removed.
Fibroadenomas are benign (not cancer). They don’t
fibroadenoma can grow to more than 5cm and may uncertainty, an FNA or core biopsy will be done. This may mean that an operation under a general
become a cancer and they don’t increase the risk
be called a giant fibroadenoma. Those found in anaesthetic can be avoided. The tissue removed
of developing breast cancer. It’s thought that they If you’re under 40, you’re more likely to have an
teenage girls may be called juvenile fibroadenomas. is sent to the laboratory and examined under a
occur because of increased sensitivity to the female ultrasound than a mammogram. Younger women’s
microscope. This procedure can cause some
hormone oestrogen. Most fibroadenomas stay the same size. Some breast tissue can be dense which can make the
bruising and pain for a few days afterwards.
get smaller and some eventually disappear over x-ray image less clear so normal changes or
The breast time. A small number of fibroadenomas get bigger, benign breast conditions can be harder to identify. Removing a fibroadenoma doesn’t usually affect
particularly those in teenage girls. Fibroadenomas can However, for some women under 40, mammograms the shape of the breast, but there may be a slight
also get bigger during pregnancy and breastfeeding may still be needed to complete the assessment. dent in the breast where it has been removed.
Chest muscle but often reduce in size again afterwards.
Please call our free Helpline if you’d like more You can call our free Helpline if you’d like
information about any tests you may be having, or more information about any treatments you
Lobes
How are they diagnosed? see our booklet Your breast clinic appointment. may be having.
Ducts
Fibroadenomas usually become noticeable as a lump
in the breast. When you have a breast examination, Follow-up or treatment What this means for you
Nipple your GP (local doctor) will sometimes be able to say
In most cases you won’t need any follow-up or You may be anxious about what having a
whether the lump feels like a fibroadenoma. However,
treatment if you have a fibroadenoma. Usually you’ll fibroadenoma means for you. Even though you
they’re likely to refer you to a breast clinic where you’ll
Fatty tissue only be asked to go back to your GP or the breast may feel relieved that it is a benign condition, you
be seen by specialist doctors or nurses.
Ribs clinic if it gets bigger or you notice a change. may still worry about breast cancer.
At the breast clinic you’ll undergo various
Sometimes an operation (excision biopsy) is needed Having a fibroadenoma does not increase your
investigations known as ‘triple assessment’ so that
to remove a fibroadenoma because of its size. This risk of developing breast cancer. However, it’s
a definite diagnosis can be made. This assessment
may be done using a local or general anaesthetic. still important to be breast aware and go back to
Breasts are made up of lobules (milk-producing consists of:
You can also request to have it removed. your GP if you notice any further changes in your
glands) and ducts (tubes that carry milk to the
• a breast examination breasts, regardless of how soon these occur after
nipple), which are surrounded by glandular, fibrous Your surgeon may use dissolvable stitches
• a mammogram (breast x-ray) and/or ultrasound your diagnosis of a fibroadenoma.
supporting tissue and fatty tissue. Fibroadenomas placed under the skin which won’t need to be
scan (uses high frequency sound waves to produce
develop from a lobule. The glandular tissue and ducts removed. However, if a non-dissolvable type are You can find out more about being breast aware in
an image)
grow over the lobule and form a solid lump. used, they will need to be taken out a few days our booklet Your breasts your health: throughout
• a fine needle aspiration (FNA) and/or a core biopsy.
after surgery. You’ll be given information about this your life.
Fibroadenomas are very common and it’s not unusual
and about looking after the wound before you leave
to have more than one. They often develop during An FNA uses a fine needle and syringe to take a If you’d like any further information or support,
the hospital.
puberty and so are mostly found in young women, sample of cells for analysis. A core biopsy uses call our free Helpline on 0808 800 6000 (Text
although they can occur in women of any age. a larger hollow needle to take a sample of breast You may be offered a vacuum assisted excision Relay 18001).
tissue. Several tissue samples may be taken at the biopsy to remove the fibroadenoma. This is a
A fibroadenoma usually has a rubbery texture, is
same time. This procedure will be done using a local way of removing small fibroadenomas under local
smooth to the touch and moves easily under the skin.
anaesthetic. Because tissue is taken rather than cells anaesthetic, without having surgery. After an
Fibroadenomas are usually painless, but sometimes
(as in an FNA), it gives more detailed information. injection of local anaesthetic, a small cut is made
they may feel tender or even painful, particularly just
in the skin. A hollow probe connected to a vacuum
before a period. These samples are then sent to the laboratory to be
device is placed through this. Using ultrasound or
looked at under a microscope.
mammography as a guide, breast tissue is sucked
Fibroadenomas are often easier to identify in younger through the probe by the vacuum into a collecting
women. If you’re in your early 20s or younger, your
Call our Helpline on 0808 800 6000 Visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk