Fibroadenoma is a benign tumor consisting of a mixture of glandular epithelium and fibrous tissue. It is most common in young women and is associated with an imbalance of sex hormone levels in the patient’s body. Fibroadenoma becomes fibrosarcoma or breast cancer rarely, less than 1%.
Causes
Ovarian function is vigorous, estrogen level is too high and imbalanced, plus the patient is sensitive to estrogen, under the long-term stimulation of estrogen, it causes excessive proliferation of breast glandular epithelial tissue and fibrous tissue and structural disorder, forming tumor. Since breast fibroadenoma is related to the high secretion of sex hormones, it occurs mostly in young women, but is rare in pre-menstrual or post-menopausal women.
Clinical manifestations
It is mainly a painless lump in the breast, rarely accompanied by breast pain or nipple discharge. The lumps are often discovered unintentionally, in the shower, or during a physical examination. The lumps are mostly solitary, but may be multiple. They are mostly round or oval in shape, often 1 to 3 cm in diameter, or smaller or larger. The borders are clear, the surface is smooth, there is no pressure pain, the mobility is large, and there is no adhesion to the skin.
Examination
1.B ultrasound
It can show the structure of breast at all levels and the shape, size and echogenicity of the lump. Most of the breast fibroadenoma ultrasound is round, oval, uniform hypoechoic masses, and smooth and clear envelope echogenicity can be seen.
2.Mammography – Mammography
Mammography is not suitable for adolescent girls with dense breasts. Fibroadenomas in middle-aged women and older are round or ovoid masses, or lobulated, with a diameter of 1 to 3 cm and smooth, clear margins.
3.Biopsy of breast lesion
Breast masses that are difficult to identify based on medical history, physical examination or imaging can be diagnosed by puncture or surgical excision and histopathological examination.
Diagnosis
With the breast located on the surface of the body, typical breast fibroadenoma is relatively easy to diagnose. In adolescent women, painless breast lumps of 1 to 3 cm, round or ovoid, with no adhesions to the surrounding area, high mobility and slippage on palpation, found unintentionally or during physical examination; slow growth and unrelated to the menstrual cycle; can be clinically considered as fibroadenoma of the breast. However, for post-pregnancy, especially post-menopausal women, painless lumps found in the breast should be alerted, and the diagnosis of breast fibroadenoma should not be easily made, but should be differentially diagnosed with the help of imaging examinations, and if necessary, the diagnosis should be confirmed based on pathological histological examinations.
Treatment
1. Close observation and regular follow-up
Fibroadenoma of breast is a common benign tumor and rarely becomes malignant. It develops slowly, has no symptoms and does not affect life and work, so it can be closely observed and followed up regularly.
2.Surgical removal
(1)During the process of observation, if breast self-examination or hospital examination reveals that fibroadenoma has the tendency to increase in size, or if ultrasound originally shows no blood flow signal in the lump and now a large amount of blood flow signal is visible, it should be surgically removed.
(2) Patients with breast fibroids, before preparing for pregnancy, should undergo fibroadenoma excision. Reasons: a. The occurrence of breast fibroadenoma is related to the elevated estrogen level. During pregnancy and lactation, with the change of hormone level in the body, it can lead to the rapid increase of tumor volume. b. Surgery and invasive examination of breast during pregnancy are not suitable, nor is surgery during lactation.
(3) Juvenile giant fibroadenoma (juvenile fibroadenoma) should be considered for surgical excision because of the fast growth and large size of the tumor and its extrusion on the normal breast tissue, which will not adversely affect the future pregnancy and lactation.
(4) Those who have a family history of breast cancer can be considered for surgical excision.
3.Encore Knife – Minimally invasive rotary mastectomy surgery
The procedure is performed for those who have a clear diagnosis of breast fibroadenoma (not suitable for treatment of breast cancer). The tumor will be removed by vacuum-assisted spinotomy equipment, under the guidance of breast ultrasound, with multiple cuts at one time. The incision is only 0.3cm, with quick recovery and good aesthetic effect. Fibroadenomas rarely recur after complete excision, but can recur. We have performed this type of surgery at our hospital and can come for consultation.
Prevention
Establish good living and eating habits, avoid and reduce psychological stress factors, and keep a relaxed mood. Control the intake of high-fat and high-calorie diet, and do not take exogenous estrogen indiscriminately. Acquire breast self-examination methods, develop breast self-examination habits, and go to hospital for diagnosis if you find unexplained breast nodules. Actively participate in breast cancer screening.