Fibroadenoma- The Running Mouse

Fibroadenoma is a benign, slow growing tumour of the breast. Some women name it as the ‘running mouse’ because while explaining their complaints they say that the tumour in the breast tends to run away from their fingers while examining it.

In the mammogram it is visible as glandular and fibrous breast tissue, which can be single (alone) or in a group (multiple / complex). If it is in a complex then it may have the risk to convert into breast cancer later.

Cause

Occurrence of fibroadenoma is common in adolescents, in women below 30 years of age, women with active menstrual cycles and also in postmenopausal women under hormone replacement therapy (HRT), above the age of 40 years.

However, the incidence of having fibroadenoma decreases with the increasing age.

Examination

While examining the breasts, fibroadenoma is felt as a firm, round, rubbery and movable swelling. Being mobile, it tends to run away while examining.

The swelling may also increase in size during the menstrual cycle and in pregnancy because of hormonal changes taking place in the body.

The size of fibroadenoma ranges from small (1-5 cm) to giant (about 15 cm). No enlargement of axillary lymph nodes is seen.

Investigations

In a mammogram, it appears as a round or oval, smooth edged mass having a clear outline. Sometimes it may have course calcifications that look like a cyst.

Fine needle biopsy, coarse needle biopsy, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) are some of the ways to diagnose the fibroadenoma.

Treatment

Treatment varies in different ways once the diagnosis is done. If it is small and remains the same for long then there is no need for treatment but follow up with regular ultrasound is recommended.

If it is large (more than 3 cm) with pain and cells are seen in the biopsy then excision or surgerical removal of fibroadenoma is the choice of treatment. Over 40 years of age, it is advised to get surgerical removal.

Recurrence rate is high even after removal.