Fibroadenoma mammae: symptoms, causes, drugs, etc. • hello healthy

Definition

What is a mammary fibroadenoma (FAM)?

Fibroadenoma or commonly called fibroadenoma mammae (FAM) is a type of benign tumor that appears on your breast. Not all lumps in your breasts are dangerous tumors. In some cases, people often mistake the lump for a breast cancer tumor.

What distinguishes between benign tumor lumps and breast cancer tumors is their size and spread. Fibroadenomas will not get bigger over time, nor will they spread to other organs such as breast cancer. The lump only remains in the breast tissue.

You can feel for a tumor when you do a breast exam. If you feel a lump like a rubber ball with a clearly palpable shape on your breast, you should get diagnosed for this condition.

How common is FAM?

Fibroadenoma mammae (FAM) is a condition that is quite common among young women. Often times this condition appears in adolescent girls and women under the age of 30 years, although it does not rule out that this condition occurs in women of any age.

This condition can be managed and controlled by reducing your risk factors. Please discuss with your doctor for more information regarding this condition.

What are the types of fibroadenoma?

Lumps in the breast can be divided into several types, namely:

• Fibroadenoma simple

This type of lump does not grow bigger, so it is always the same size.

• Complex fibroadenoma

This type of lump is the most susceptible to changes, such as the rapid growth of cells (hyperplasia). This condition requires special diagnostic tests after the biopsy procedure.

• Fibroadenoma juvenile

This condition occurs most frequently in adolescent girls, between 10-18 years old. The lump can increase in size, although it will usually shrink and disappear over time.

• Giant fibroadenoma

As the name implies, the lump can grow up to 5 cm in size. This condition must be treated immediately with surgical procedures to remove the lump.

Signs & symptoms

What are the symptoms of a fibroadenoma?

When you press on your skin, you can feel a fibroadenoma like a lump in your breast. Common signs and symptoms of this condition are a breast lump that feels solid or a lump that is usually round in shape with clearly palpable borders. This condition is usually painless and the lump can move when you touch it.

The lump in the breast can be of different sizes and can get bigger or even shrink on its own. However, these lumps are usually small, only 1 or 2 cm in size.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

You should call your doctor immediately when you detect a new breast lump or your breast has changes, or if you notice that the lump in your breast appears to be growing larger or experiencing changes than before.

Each sufferer's body shows signs and symptoms that vary. To get the most appropriate treatment and according to your health condition, always have any symptoms checked with your doctor or the nearest health service center.

Cause

What causes fibroadenoma?

Although the exact cause of mammary fibroadenoma (FAM) has not been determined, researchers think that hormones play a role in forming breast lumps.

Lumps in the breasts may be related to reproductive hormones, as they tend to occur more frequently during your fertile period. In addition, the lump can get bigger during pregnancy or the use of hormone therapy.

After menopause, as hormone levels drop, the lump may shrink. Another cause is the use of oral contraceptives before the age of 20, which can lead to the development and growth of fibroadenomas.

Risk factors

What puts me at risk of having FAM?

Fibroadenoma mammae (FAM) is a disease that can occur in almost anyone, regardless of age group and racial group. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk for developing this condition.

You need to know that having one or more risk factors does not mean that you will definitely suffer from a disease. It is possible that you can experience a condition without any risk factors.

The following are risk factors for this disease, such as:

• Are in their teens or under 30 years of age
• Undergo estrogen therapy or other hormone therapy
• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Use of birth control pills

Diagnosis & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor for more information.

How is mammary fibroadenoma (FAM) diagnosed?

To diagnose a fibroadenoma, your doctor may ask you to do a physical exam where your breasts can be examined manually. Then, to get a more accurate diagnosis, your doctor will recommend that you undergo several additional tests:

1. Ultrasound or mammogram

You may have to have a breast ultrasound or a mammogram imaging test depending on your situation. If you have to have a breast ultrasound, you will lie on a table, then a handheld device called a transducer will be moved over the skin of the breast to produce an image on the screen.

In a mammogram test, your breasts are detected using a X-rays pressed between two flat surfaces.

2. Biopsy

To check whether the tumor is cancerous or not, the doctor may recommend a fine needle aspiration or biopsy. This is done by inserting a needle into your breast and taking a small piece of the tumor to send to the laboratory.

How to treat fibroadenoma?

If your doctor confirms that your breast lump is a mammary fibroadenoma (FAM), you may not need surgery. Since the bumps that appear are generally related to hormone levels, they may shrink after your decrease in reproductive hormones.

You may not need any medication to treat this disease in some cases. However, if you think that your lump will not shrink or disappear on its own, or if your breast shape may have changed due to a tumor, you may choose to have surgery.

Before having surgery, you will need to monitor for this condition with a follow-up examination by your doctor for a breast ultrasound. This will help you identify any changes in the appearance or size of the lump. If the lump is really worrying, you may consider having surgery to remove it.

However, if one of your tests shows abnormal results, then surgery is required. At first, the surgeon removes the breast tissue and sends it to a laboratory to be tested for cancer. If the test results show non-cancerous cells, the doctor will remove the tumor.

One method of removing tumors is by cryoablation. In this procedure, your doctor inserts a thin, wand-like device through your skin into the area of ​​the bump and delivers gas to freeze the tissue.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can help me manage fibroadenoma?

Here are some lifestyle and home remedies that can help you treat mammary fibroadenoma (FAM):

• You should have regular check-ups with your doctor and schedule regular mammograms if you have a breast lump
• You should check your breasts regularly for any signs of unusual growth
• You have to boost your immune system with regular exercise and a proper diet

If you have any questions, please consult your doctor to better understand the best solution for you.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.