Fibroadenoma- stay or go?

Options
ehastings1
ehastings1 Member Posts: 1
edited December 2014 in Benign Breast Conditions

I am 21 years old, and I found a grape-sized lump in my left breast about 3 months ago. Just a few weeks ago I finally decided to have it looked at by my regular doctor, who sent me to have an ultrasound. The radiologist at the ultrasound confirmed that it was a solid mass (2cm x 1cm) and recommended a core needle biopsy, telling me that it was probably a fibroadenoma but they would do this biopsy to make sure. The biopsy was scheduled for 3 weeks later, but in that 3 weeks it seemed that the lump changed from just an oval to more of a peanut shell shape and I could feel two definite ridges running transverse across the mass that I don't remember feeling previously (maybe I'm just paranoid and was hyper-aware of what it felt like during that time?.). I mentioned my perceived changes at the biopsy appointment but they assured me it was unlikely that the mass had changed in 3 weeks and said that they didn't see any changes on the ultrasound.

Long story short, I am waiting for the biopsy results now and am wondering, if it is a fibroadenoma, should I have it removed? All of the healthcare providers I have seen seem unalarmed, so I think if I want it removed, I will have to bring it up myself and push to have it done. Maybe they are reluctant to suggest it because I am 21, and people my age don't usually have them removed?... I will add that my mom died of stage IV breast cancer at age 48, so I don't want to mess around with this issue!

Anyone out there have to bring up the topic of surgical removal yourself? I don't want to seem pushy and paranoid if it's really no big deal!

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 1,455
    edited December 2014

    I don't have your history with a mom with stage IV BC. It was my grandmother, but post meno -not the same. I found a fribroadonoma when 17 yrs old. Didn't have it biopsied and it stayed with me until removed in surgery for BC nearly 40 years later. It never became malignant. Was never of concern in the 15 years of mammograms starting at 40.

    If you have surgery, you will have scarring that may obscure another problem. Still surgery may give you peace of mind.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2014

    Hi, and welcome to Breastcancer.org.

    It sounds as though your medical team is being responsive and acting properly to assess what they've found, and that's a great. Anyway, we recommend you to read the article What Mammograms Show: Calcifications, Cysts, Fibroadenomas, from our main site. It reinforces that there are many other benign masses, including some that are especially common among young women.

    Waiting is not easy but beware of general searches on the internet as there is a lot of poor and inaccurate info out there.

    We hope this eases your mind while you wait for the results.

    Best wishes,

    The Mods
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sophie34
    sophie34 Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2014

    I'm sorry you're dealing with this worry at such a young age. Here is my experience: I had my first fibroadenoma at about age 25, and ended up deciding not to remove it. I got opinions from two different surgeons, and felt confident that leaving it in was not dangerous.

    In retrospect, I really think I made the right decision(for me, at least). First, the tumor actually did seem to shrink on its own, to the point where the BS following me said she couldn't even feel it anymore. Second, I am now 54, and have had two more fibroadenomas diagnosed since that first one. The third one they said they had to remove because the core needle biopsy was indeterminate. So if I had had them removed every time, I would have had three surgeries by now. To me that's a lot of surgery and a lot of scar tissue to deal with. It turns out that I just have a lot of fibrous tissue in my breasts (what one sonogram tech referred to as "busy breasts"), so I've gotten used to having a lot going on in there, and just trying to be diligent about my cancer screenings.

    This may not be the right decision for you - we're all different. But in any case, I always recommend getting at least two opinions before making any significant medical decision (which includes any surgery, in my book). And definitely don't be afraid to raise your concerns, or worry about seeming pushy or paranoid! It's your body, and you have the right to have your doctors listen to your concerns and discuss the pros and cons with you. If they have a problem with that, you may want to find another doctor.

    Good luck to you!




    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lolis197138
    Lolis197138 Member Posts: 512
    edited December 2014

    I found my fibroadenoma when I was in my mid 20s and did u/s and biopsy to confirm if it was benign. Confirmation came as fibroadenoma. I decided to not remove it as it was benign and it would not turn into something malignant. I kept doing u/s on a yearly basis just to keep an eye on it. My dr mentioned that if it grows and becomes uncomfortable I could have gone thru surgery. This year I had a mastectomy and the fibroadenoma was removed at that time. 

    Have you tested for BRACA 1/2? My grandmother died of bc at age of 55 so when I got diagnosed I tested for the sake of my sisters and niece. Came back negative. If you haven't done this genetic test perhaps you should think about and have one less worry off your mind.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories