Breast tissue is composed mainly of glandular and fibrous tissue, together with blood and lymph vessels, fat and nerves. A fibroadenoma is a breast lump that is comprised of fibrous tissue (fibro) and glandular tissue (adenoma).
What is a fibroadenoma?
Whilst not well understood, fibroadenomas are thought to develop due to hormonal changes in younger women. Fibroadenomas are benign (non-cancerous) lumps that typically occur in women aged between their teenage years and 40 years, and may appear and grow during pregnancy and/or with hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Symptoms and presentation
Fibroadenomas present as breast lumps; they can be single or multiple and range in size from very small to quite large. At times, they can be associated with pain or are only diagnosed at the time of breast imaging. A fibroadenoma is usually round and quite mobile and is referred to as a ‘breast mouse’ due to its ready mobility within the breast.
Diagnosis and management
It is important that, as with any breast lump, a diagnosis is established with breast imaging, clinical examination, and sometimes a breast biopsy. Once a breast lump is diagnosed as a fibroadenoma, no further treatment is required; however, regular monitoring with subsequent imaging is recommended and needs to be discussed with your GP or breast specialist.
Fibroadenomas are sometimes surgically removed for various reasons such as large size, pain, observed growth, patient preference, and/or if the fibroadenoma shows changes.
Related Articles
You may also find these articles from Mr Justin James helpful:
- Understanding Breast Density: What Your Mammogram Means — What other mammogram findings mean for your breast health.
- Is HRT Safe? Understanding the Breast Cancer Risk — How HRT relates to breast conditions including fibroadenomas.
- IVF and Breast Cancer — Hormones, fertility treatment, and breast health.
Further information
Westmead Breast Cancer Institute – Fibroadenoma of the Breast
