A fibroadenoma is a common benign breast tumor made of glandular and fibrous tissue, seen most often in women aged 15 to 35. It rarely becomes cancer, but every new breast lump needs imaging to confirm the diagnosis.
Key symptoms
- Painless, firm, rubbery breast lump
- Lump that moves easily under the fingers
- Slow growth, or size change with the cycle or pregnancy
- Usually a single lump, sometimes several
What you find on exam
- Well-defined, round, smooth, mobile mass
- No skin changes or nipple discharge
- No enlarged axillary lymph nodes
- Record size and location for follow-up
Tests
- Breast ultrasound first under age 30
- Mammogram plus ultrasound at age 30 or older
- Core needle biopsy if imaging is not clearly benign or the lump grows
Treatment basics
- Reassurance and observation with repeat ultrasound for typical lesions
- Surgical excision if large, growing, painful or the patient prefers
- Excision of lumps over about 3 cm to rule out a phyllodes tumor
- Teach breast awareness and arrange follow-up
Red flags
- Rapid growth of the lump
- Hard, irregular or fixed mass, or skin changes
- Bloody nipple discharge or enlarged lymph nodes
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Sources: NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint; NBOME COMLEX-USA clinical presentations; AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs). Written by Making Synapses. Making Synapses is not affiliated with these organizations.