Just Told My Mass Has Grown. Do Benign Masses Grow?

BlueSky5 · November 2013

I am high risk for BC. I have a 6 mm mass that was biopsied about 1.5 years ago and path report said it was a "cystic apocrine metaplasia". Yesterday the radiologist said my mammo shows it has grown so I should have it surgically excised. She said the mass has smooth borders. I hope I can get in very soon to have the mass completely removed. Have you heard of benign masses growing or is growth usually a sign it is malignant? Thank you.

Moderators · November 2013

Dear Bluesky,

While you wait for more members to respond you may want to check out the main breastcancer.org site for information on benign breast changes.

We hope this helps.

The Mods

MelissaDallas · November 2013

Of course benign masses grow. Fibroadenomas and other benign masses can get huge. As a matter of fact, I can think of more benign than malignant things that grow rapidly.

Anonymous · November 2013

Yes...they can grow, but the important thing is that they don't break out and invade other organs, tissue, etc. That's why there is the differentiation between "benign" and "invasive".

Janet456 · November 2013

Mine must have grown because it ended up being 5cm by 3cm - totally benign though xx

BlueSky5 · November 2013

Thanks, I'm trying to learn as much as I can but there's so much to learn.

leaf · November 2013

Yes, the learning curve is quite steep. Take as much time as you need to learn.

The largest 'lump' I have come across is this one: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12751688 which was more than 5 pounds. Fibroadenomas can be huge (hence the name giant fibroadenoma), but they are benign, and can grow very quickly. Most breast cancers have been in the breast for some 4-10 years before they can be detected by any means, so most are relatively slow growing.

Just Told My Mass Has Grown. Do Benign Masses Grow?

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