Fibroadenoma question

Michelejac

Hello,

My 18 year old daughter was recently diagnosed with a benign fibroadenoma, discovered at her physical and confirmed via ultrasound. It is close to 6 cm and both her primary and the radiologist have strongly recommended removal before it grows any larger. We have an appointment with a surgeon next week, but in the meantime I am having a hard time finding any information about removing a mass of that size. I would love to hear any stories so we have some idea of what to expect. Thank you

Blessings2011

Michelejac - I'm so sorry your daughter is going through this, and I know you are concerned for her.

I have no current information to share with you, but I can tell you that when I was 18 years old, I had a benign fibroadenoma removed from my right breast. It was the size of a golf ball.

In those days (1968) they just made an incision and removed it, much like I suspect a lumpectomy is performed today. But without today's sophisticated testing and procedures, I wasn't given much info back then, nor do I know the procedure today.

I will tell you that afterwards, I had a small scar that faded rapidly.

The fibroadenoma never returned, nor did any new ones develop.

The cancer that developed in my left breast more than 40 years later was totally unrelated to this very common lump in women.

Wishing your daughter the best....

caretothepeople

I dont have personal experience to speak from and hope others will chime in with theirs. I did do some researching around and did come across some resources to pass along that may have info:

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002918.htm

This has specific questions to ask to understand what to expect: http://www.cancer.org/treatment/understandingyourd...

Tmh0921

Hi

I've had 12 Fibroadenomas removed over the last 21 years (had my first removed when I was 22).

All of the surgeries were very similar to a lumpectomy. Basically, they make a straight line incision, remove the lump, and stitch the incision closed.

They perform this surgery under general anesthesia, on an outpatient basis (no overnight stay). My surgeon usually prescribes pain meds for the first day or two, though to be honest I never use them. 400 to 600mg of ibuprofen usually manages the pain very well. She'll be tired from the anesthesi that first day, and She'll be sore for a couple of days. It usually takes about a week or so for the incision to heal.

Tracy