22 year old with quarter sized tumor

[Aruba417]

Hi. My 22 year old sister found a lump in her breast about 3 months ago. She had an ultrasound on it and had 4 different doctors review the films and all were sure that it was a benign tumor about the size of a quarter and it was just fibroadenoma. They told her to just watch it and if it bothered her that they would remove it. Well...it became very bothersome and painful to her so she went back to the doctor. She was surprised to find that it had grown 6mm in 2 months. She had a biopsy this morning, and during the biopsy they found another small tumor behind the original one. So they did a biopsy of that one too. She has had problems with her breasts since she was a kid. Around 11, her breast (the same one with the tumors) became very hard and painful, and the doctors said that this was just due to hormones. Also, this same breast has always been smaller than the other. Does this have anything to due with her problems now? Breast cancer does not run in the family, but other cancers do. She will not get the results of the biopsy until next week. What are the odds that this is cancer?

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear aruba417:  Fibroadenomas are non-malignant (benign) lumps that feel smooth, and round. They can vary from very small to quite large (5cm). Fibroadenomas are usually distinct on a mammogram and ultrasound. There can be more than one fibroadenoma. Most believe that they grow over a 12 month period and then remain stable. They are most common in women in their teens and early 20's but can happen at any age - although they usually don't occur much after menopause. If the size is stable and the fibroadenoma is not bothering the woman - there may be no reason to remove it.  There is no way to speculate on the probability of this being malignant - although breast cancer is not common in 22 year old women.

[ally'smommy]

WELL, I AM NOT DOCTOR, BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET, IT WOULD BE VERY RARE FOR HER AGE, BUT NOT IMMPOSSIBLE.  IT SEEMS LIKE MORE AND MORE DOCOTRS BLOW OFF YOUNG WOMEN(LIKE ME-26) AND TELL THEM THAT IT COULDN'T BE ANYTHING WHEN IN ALL REALITY IT CAN, BUT MOST LIKELY NOT.  SHE HAS DONE THE RIGHT THING BY HAVING IT BIOPSIED.

[Aruba417]

I appreciate your reply...thank you. But this exact answer was already given to a different question in this forum...and didn't really answer MY question other than knowing that it is highly unlikely that it's cancer. But do you think there is any relation to the severe breast pain and hardening of the breast she had as a child and that this particular breast is smaller than the other?

[razorback38]

I am 38 years old and have had numerous fibroadenomas--3 confirmed by open biopsy and several others that have been monitored by ultrasound and mammogram.  Therefore, I can only speak from my own experience.  However, I have spoken to many women over the years who have had fibroadenomas, so I have a grasp of what are the usual signs and symptoms.  As a rule, my fibroadenomas have never, ever caused me pain.  I know of women who say that their fibroadenomas were painful, and I have one now that is far more tender than the rest of the breast.  What HAS caused me severe pain in the past has been the fibrocystic changes that I have in my breasts.  For me, caffiene and hormones trigger my pain.  And they can become very painful!  Also, when I used to take birth control pills, my breasts were far more painful and harder than they are now.  Again, the hormones.  As for that breast being smaller, that is probably just a coincidence--I'm sure there is no connection whatsoever.

I found my first fibroadenoma when I was 33 (I had the ultrasound on my birthday in fact).  From the time of the first doctor's visit to the biopsy there was a lag time of ~10 weeks.  In that time the fibroadenoma not only grew, but it grew tentacles and had 3 lobes to it.  So, it is not uncommon for those things to grow in a short time.

Good luck to her!  This might be her only fibroadenoma experience, but if she's anything like me (and apparently many others in this forum) she might face many more years of this.  She should definitely start educating herself about her breasts, benign breast conditions, etc...  The internet is helpful, but there are also books available that deal only w/breasts and breast problems.  The more she knows, the less worry she'll have!

[Aruba417]

Razorback - Thank you so much for your comment! I really appreciate it. It makes a lot more sense and puts things into perspecitve for me. I will forward this information to her. I'm sure reading about other women't experiences will help a lot. Thanks again. Your comment gave me some more understanding!

[razorback38]

I'm glad to hear that my story (and other's stories) helped.  Let us all know how her biopsy turned out if you have a chance.  Again, I wish her the best of luck!

[Kitty1972]

Hello Everyone.  I really appreciate the comments and stories.  They help to put my mind at ease.

I'm 33 years old.  In January, I found a lump in my left breast.  I went to my doctor about a month later, who sent me to an imaging center to get a mammogram and an ultrasound.  The breast doctor examined my results, and assured me that I had a fibroadenoma.  He gave me the option of having a needle biopsy, just to put my mind at ease, but he didn't think it was necessary.  At any rate, I was to come back in six months for a follow-up.

My follow-up exam was yesterday.  Apparently, the lump had grown, and the doctor (a different doctor this time) proceeded to do a core biopsy.  Of course this frightened me to no end!!!!  The results will be in on Monday, but I am worried!  I'm hoping that it is still a fibroadenoma, but I can't help but to wonder if this was misdiagnosed, and it's actually cancer instead of a benign lump.  I try not to think about it, but I can't help it!  Reading your stories has calmed me down a little bit because I now know that fibroadnomas do grow and this is nothing to be unduly alarmed about.  I'll still be on pins and needles (no pun intended) until I get my biopsy results.  I may call today, since the doctor indicated they may be in today.

[Aruba417]

I am so happy to report that my sister's biopsy came back negative for cancer! So, it IS just fibroadenoma. Thanks for your support. Now we can go about her surgery without too much worry. Hopefully, it will be the only one she has to deal with. But we'll see. She's very fortunate. But not everyone is...so DO YOUR SELF BREAST EXAMS! I have two sisters and now our doctor is on all of us to make sure we know how to do it! I'm the oldest, at 24, and the youngest is 18 - so it's never to early to be aware! Thanks again!

[LucyLea]

Hello everyone, or anyone. First off, I can easily see why this page is comforting, for during my typical annual check-up, my doctor found a 2cm lump near the top part of my right breast, and it wasn't very mobile. After reading about Fibroadenomas, I have found that most are moveable. I am curious to know how others' have been or are?? I have to wait almost 2 weeks to get an ultrasound, and all I've been doing is worrying. It's all I think about during the day, causing many of my daily activities to be greatly affected. I am at great risk for breast cancer as it has been diagnosed on both sides of my family. ~Just seeking support

[LucyLea]

I forgot to mention that I am 22 years old.