Fibroadenomas

A fairly common benign breast condition is referred to as fibroadenomas. Fibroadenomas are benign tumors made up of both glandular breast tissue and supporting, or stromal, tissue. Fibroadenomas are found in women of all ages, but are most commonly found in younger women in their 20’s and 30’s.

Like cysts, some fibroadenomas are sometimes too small to feel and can only be seen by examining breast tissue under a microscope. Other fibroadenomas can grow to several inches in diameter. They usually are round and have edges that are distinct from the surrounding breast tissue. For this reason, women have commented that a fibroadenoma sometimes feels like a marble. In some cases, a woman can have more that one fibroadenoma at the same time.

Fibroadenomas are usually diagnosed using fine needle aspiration or conducting a needle core biopsy. Providers often recommend the removal of fibroadenomas, especially when they continue to grow or if they change the shape of the woman’s breast.  In other cases, fibroadenomas can stop growing or shrink on their own. When the provider is sure the tumor is a fibroadenoma and not breast cancer, the fibroadenoma may not be removed.

It is particularly important for women who do not have fibroadenomas removed to have regular breast exams to confirm that the tumor is not growing.