Fibroadenoma – Symptoms and Causes

Overview

Fibroadenomas are common non-cancerous breast lumps that typically develop in people between ages 15 and 35, though they can occur in anyone who menstruates, regardless of age. These solid lumps have distinct physical characteristics:

• Texture: Firm, smooth, and rubbery
• Shape: Round or flat
• Mobility: Moves easily within breast tissue when touched
• Size: May feel as small as a pea or flat like a coin
• Symptoms: Usually painless

Most fibroadenomas don’t require treatment beyond monitoring for changes in size or feel. However, healthcare providers might recommend a biopsy to examine the tissue or surgery to remove the lump in some cases.

Regular breast examinations help track any changes that might need medical attention.

Signs and Symptoms

Fibroadenomas are solid lumps in the breast that usually don’t cause pain. These lumps have several key features:

• Round shape with smooth, clear borders
• Movable when touched
• Firm or rubbery feeling

Most fibroadenomas grow slowly and reach about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in size. Sometimes they can become larger over time. You might notice tenderness a few days before your period.

Large fibroadenomas may hurt when touched, but most are painless.

You can have one fibroadenoma or several. They can appear in one breast or both breasts at the same time.

Fibroadenomas can change over time. Some get smaller without treatment. In teenagers, many fibroadenomas shrink over a period of months to years and eventually disappear. The shape of fibroadenomas might also change.

During pregnancy, fibroadenomas might increase in size. After menopause, they often shrink.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

Normal breast tissue often feels lumpy. Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider if you:

• Find a new lump in your breast
• Notice any changes to your breast appearance or feeling
• See that a previously examined breast lump has grown or changed

Causes

Fibroadenomas develop from unknown causes, though they may be linked to hormonal fluctuations associated with menstrual cycles. While most fibroadenomas remain stable, several variations exist with different growth patterns.

Complex fibroadenomas can expand over time and may compress surrounding breast tissue. These growths can displace normal breast structures as they develop.

Giant fibroadenomas grow rapidly, reaching sizes exceeding 2 inches (5 centimeters). Their substantial growth can put pressure on nearby breast tissue or push it aside.

Phyllodes tumors share tissue similarities with fibroadenomas but appear different when examined microscopically. These growths typically demonstrate faster growth characteristics.

Most phyllodes tumors are benign (non-cancerous), but some variants may be cancerous or have the potential to become malignant. Patients with phyllodes tumors typically experience no pain.

The relationship between hormones and these breast lumps suggests that hormonal changes may influence their development, though research continues to investigate exact mechanisms.

Complications

Most fibroadenomas are considered common or simple fibroadenomas. These benign breast lumps do not increase your risk of developing breast cancer.

However, two specific types of breast lumps require more attention:

1. Complex fibroadenomas – These may slightly increase your breast cancer risk.
2. Phyllodes tumors – These rare growths might also slightly elevate cancer risk.

Healthcare providers typically monitor these conditions more closely with regular follow-up appointments and imaging tests. The slight increase in risk doesn’t mean cancer will develop, but awareness and proper monitoring are important.

If you notice any changes in an existing breast lump such as:

• Sudden growth
• Pain that wasn’t there before
• Changes in the skin over the lump
• Discharge from the nipple

Contact your healthcare provider promptly. While most breast lumps remain harmless, these changes warrant evaluation.

Remember that proper diagnosis is essential for determining whether you have a common fibroadenoma or one of the less common varieties that might require additional attention.