Fibroadenoma – Specialists and Information on Benign Breast Tumors

Fibroadenomas form as a result of excessive growth of breast and glandular tissue.

Depending on which type of tissue is more prevalent, doctors distinguish between:

• adenomas (glandular tissue) and
• fibromas (connective tissue)

The good news: Fibroadenomas, adenomas, or fibromas are not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.

Since nodular fibroadenomas cannot be reliably diagnosed externally, women with palpable lumps should see a gynecologist.

Fibroadenomas often occur in younger women between the ages of 20 and 30. These lumps, which are about 1.5 to 2 centimeters in size, often grow very slowly and rarely become malignant.

The exact cause of this increased formation of connective or glandular tissue in the breast is not yet fully understood.

It is very likely that hormonal changes in a woman’s body lead to excessive cell growth in the breast.

An imbalance between progesterone and estrogen is often found.

Other possible causes may include:

• Taking certain immunosuppressants
• Carney’s syndrome (frequent formation of so-called myxomas, hormonal regulatory disorders, and numerous pigmented spots)
• Viral infections, e.g., with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)

Fibroadenomas are usually noticeable as small, painless, freely movable lumps within the breast.

They tend to grow primarily in younger women due to hormonal influences. After menopause, fibroadenomas usually shrink.

Fibroadenomas generally do not cause any problems and are often discovered incidentally during a mammogram or breast examination.

Specialists usually monitor these slow-growing, benign breast tumors and rarely remove them.

The diagnosis begins with a medical history. This focuses in particular on any perceived increase in the size of the fibroadenomas and any known family history.

This is usually followed by a physical examination. This includes, among other things, a bilateral breast examination to detect the lumps by palpation.

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Ultrasound and mammography, in turn, are suitable imaging techniques for visualizing the lumps within the breast.

If there is uncertainty regarding whether a mass is a benign fibroadenoma or a malignant tumor, specialists may order a biopsy. A small tissue sample can help doctors determine the nature of the mass.

The good news is that in most cases, fibroadenomas do not require treatment or surgery. 

Asymptomatic women—often young women—should undergo regular checkups for fibroadenomas. Initially, this is done after three months, and thereafter at longer but still regular intervals.

Important: Monthly self-examination by feeling both breasts is an important tool for early detection for women between checkup appointments.

In very rare cases, however, surgery is necessary. The treatment of choice in such cases is open surgery on the affected breast. 

Doctors may perform surgery in the following cases:

• large fibroadenomas > 3 cm
• rapid growth
• in cases of pain
• in patients over the age of 40, and
• at the patient’s request

Without treatment, there is usually no deterioration in women’s overall quality of life, even over the course of years. 

Between 30 and 50 percent of fibroadenomas remain stable or shrink again with age.

Lumps in the breast are often a psychological concern for affected women. Consequently, the fear of breast cancer is very high. 

However, fibroadenomas have only a low risk of becoming malignant. Less than 0.2 percent of fibroadenomas become malignant between the ages of 40 and 60.

Gynecologists are responsible for the breast and its benign conditions, which also include fibroadenomas. 

In addition to gynecologists, surgeons may also be needed in rare cases.