Breast fibroadenoma is an entity made up of benign cells. It is found in the connective and glandular tissues. Such a tumor is the most common of all possible in women. The reasons why breast fibroadenoma is formed are not yet known to doctors. Sometimes you can hear such a name as breast fibroadenomatosis. These two diseases should not be confused, although they are very similar to each other. Fibroadenomatosis, better known as mastopathy, is also a benign formation. Often, its main causes are hormonal imbalances. But, unlike fibroadenoma, factors that significantly affect the diagnosis of mastopathy are diseases of the thyroid gland, ovaries, liver and endocrine system.
Among patients with fibroma, young women predominate, more often nulliparous, taking hormonal contraceptives. Usually, breast fibroma looks like a single whole tumor, although there are cases of the formation of multiple tumors. The tumor is like a ball and usually has a small size (1-5 cm), it is easily displaced, has clear contours.
Very rarely fibroadenoma develops into a tumor from malignant cells, but, nevertheless, such cases do occur. Gynecologists and mammologists all over the world recommend that their patients examine their breasts themselves in front of a mirror, and do this regularly. On various posters, which, as a rule, are hung on the walls in the corridors of clinics and antenatal clinics, you can familiarize yourself with the rules for conducting an examination, or ask a specialist. The right breast should be felt with the left hand with the right hand raised and wound behind the head. Similarly, an examination of the left chest. If during the examination the woman found any seals, she needs to visit a doctor who will examine the breast more thoroughly and make an appropriate diagnosis. In addition to self-diagnosis, it is recommended every six to seven months to check the condition of the breast with the help of various examinations in medical institutions.
Identified breast fibroadenoma is to be treated. Depending on the individual characteristics of each patient, the doctor may prescribe either therapy or surgery. In determining the method of treatment, a significant role is played by the patient's age, her individual predisposition to the development of the disease, as well as the structure and size of the seal itself. Of course, if a woman shows a desire for a specific method of treatment, the doctor also takes this into account.
Breast fibroadenoma is treated with drugs only in the case of very small sizes. The patient is prescribed special pills that normalize her hormonal levels. A weight adjustment is also performed. In fact, there is an opinion that such therapy practically does not have the desired effect on the neoplasm. Moreover, it is necessary to constantly be monitored by a specialist and do an ultrasound scan. At the slightest hint of an increase, the woman is sent for surgery.
There are a number of indications for immediate removal of the tumor. These include, first of all, the intensive growth of fibroadenoma, which may cause suspicion of its phyloid species, which can degenerate into sarcoma. Also, according to the results of various studies, a suspicion of breast cancer may be identified.
Removal of fibroadenoma is of two types. If there is the slightest chance of the formation of malignant cells, then a sectoral resection is performed, that is, a tumor and a small sector of the breast adjacent to it are removed. If there is no hint of cancer or sarcoma, then enucleation is performed, that is, removal of only the seal itself. During such an operation, an emergency histological examination of a remote site is also performed to unambiguously exclude the likelihood of atypical processes. For anesthesia, if the patient wishes, general or local anesthesia is used, and after the operation, the formed defect is sutured. Surgical removal of fibroadenoma does not guarantee that such a formation does not appear again, although this rarely happens.