Pharmacy Clinical Pearl of the Day: Fibroadenoma

Fibroadenoma may feel like a marble in the breast, moving easily under the skin when examined.

Clinical Pearl of the Day: Fibroadenoma

Fibroadenomas are solid, noncancerous breast lumps that occur most often in women between 15 and 35 years of age.

Insight:

  • A fibroadenoma might feel firm, smooth, rubbery or hard, and has a well-defined shape.
  • Usually painless, it might feel like a marble in the breast, moving easily under the skin when examined.
  • Fibroadenomas vary in size and can enlarge or shrink on their own.
  • Fibroadenomas are among the most common noncancerous (benign) breast lumps in young women.
  • Symptoms include round with smooth border lumps, which are easily moved, firm, rubbery, and painless.
  • Diagnosis may include mammogram, breast ultrasound, and biopsy (fine needles and core needle).
  • Types of fibroadenomas may include:
    • Complex fibroadenomas, juvenile fibroadenomas, giant fibroadenomas, and phyllodes tumor.
  • Treatment may include monitoring to detect changes in size or feel, a biopsy to evaluate the lump, or surgery to remove it.
  • Surgery may include lumpectomy or excisional biopsy, or cryoablation.

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