SURGERY ON FIBROADENOMA

I am a 35yr old female that is scheduled to have my second lumpectomy on Thursday. The doctors tell me that it is another fibroadenoma and it has doubled in size in a year (1 1/2 inches). I have very dense breast and every time I go to have a mammogram I end up having an ultrasound and a biopsy. My question is, am I going to have to go thru this for the rest of my life and knowing that it is not cancerus do I need to go every year? I had my first lump removed when I was 21 and started having mammograms every other year after that until last year when they found this knew lump. They also found that my duct was abnormal but after doing a biopsy on the discharge, it came back begnin. After reading some of the other comments in these posting I am concerned that eventually I could have some real problems or am I just worrying to much?

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear hokie:  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. 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 (hormone therapy tricks your body into believing it is premenopausal). Fibroadenomas have even been found in women in their 60's and 70's. If the size is stable and the fibroadenoma is not bothering the woman - there may be no reason to remove it. Fibroadenomas do not increase the risk for breast cancer but it is important to be certain that they are, in fact fibroadenomas.  The frequency for examination will depend upon the expert opinion of your doctor, based on your situation.  If you are concerned, you could get a second opinion from a breast specialist - if for no other reason than your peace of mind.  

[Twocapes]

Please do not become complacent.  More than likely (the odds are in your favor) that this is a benign lesion.  I, too, started having biopsies (lumpectomies) in my mid-20's (I am 59 now).  I had six benign lesions removed over the years and could have ignored the seventh one that was found in January, 2004 - luckily I didn't as it was an infiltrating ductal carcinoma.  Because of my dense, fibrous breasts, it had grown to 2.5 cm but all margins were clean upon removal and the sentinel lymph node was clean also.  This does not mean that you will continue having to have lumps removed, but for peace of mind, I would not hesitate.  I also should mention that in the ensuing years previous to my diagnosis, my mother was diagnosed and is doing well because of yearly mammograms and her follow-up and my aunt was diagnosed and did very well too.

[hokie]

Thank you for your comments. I have gone to a specialist and she is the one that reccommended that the lump be removed. When I visited with the surgeon he informed me that because of the size of the lump and my petiteness that I will have some diformity and may need to have some reconstructive surgery. Just another thing to be concerned with! I am 5'3" and weigh 117lbs. I'm not sure what is the right thing to do anymore. At my age to have all of this and still know that I may not need to have it done at all is weighing on me.

[munchkin2720]

Hi,
I am a 23 year old and suffering with the same problems as you. I am due to have my 1st lumpectomy in a week for 2 fibroadenoma's. I currently have 4 known ones and 2 undiagnosed (tests pending) It is helpful to hear from others in the same situation as I too find it diffucult to understand if they are doing me no harm - why I should have them removed. In my case my specialist requested having some of them removed as to clear up confusion on examination for new lumps. I feel slightly neglected by the health authority as I have had no explainations as to why these occur and what the future has to hold. Also I am only small, 5ft 1in's with size C breast. I have never been informed about reconstructions etc to repair the damge of surgery, and was possibly naive to think there would be little problems after the op. Anyway enough of my ramblings- -I still agree you should go ahead with the surgery, as I will because I believe it will be for the best later in life when I approach a higher risk of cancer. I feel your concerns and hope that future research may hold many of the answers to our questions but until then we must trust the ones who know more than us. Good luck with everything ; )

[KateBe]

I'm 21 years old and 2 years ago they found a Fibroadenoma in my lower right breast. It was removed just a few months after because the location caused me alot of pain. I saw a great doctor who was very helpful and also performed the surgery. However, since then he retired. A year ago there was another one and the doctor had told me that it would decrease in size. Since then the fibro- only got bigger, it's in the same breast, but more towards my chest. I'm getting it taken out, however, the new doctor that took over his practice acts as if these aren't anything. Even though, they aren't cancerous it's still something growing inside of you. I rather it be taken, b/c it causes me alot of pain. And now there's a tender spot on my left breast where he said another one will begin to develop. He says anywhere from now to 4 years it'll begin to develop. And they'll just take it right out. I understand it's nothing to worry about, but there's nothing to prevent them. I mean in 10 years from now I could have a million scars from these, if they need to be removed. Should I just not worry and treat these like the doctors? No big deal. So they grow and then they either go away in a couple years or just take them out. Has anyone found any way to prevent them? Have anyone of you changed habits, in eating, etc? Thanks. I am going in for surgery Friday to get this one removed.

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