Should I have fibroadenoma removed? Please help.....

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Roxgirl
Roxgirl Member Posts: 16
edited November 2016 in Benign Breast Conditions

Hi everyone, 

Had a core needle biopsye this am after finding small mass on mammo and us. Radiologist today said he was pretty certain this was a fibroadenoma but was sending to pathology for confirmation. 

I am 44 years old, and this is all new to me. 

I have breast ca hx on both sides of my family, not immediate, but both grandmothers and 3 aunts. 

When I asked the radiologist if there would be any treatment he said no they would probably just monitor it. 

I would feel so much better having this  removed. What do you all think? 

I have good health insurance 

  Is this something I can request? And should I? 

No pain and I can't feel it so worried that if it changes,  would not know. 

Any help would be much appreciated. 

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Comments

  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited January 2016

    I personally would leave it alone unless it is big and could obscure other things behind it once you start needing regular mammograms. Surgery creates scarring in your breast that makes mammograms and other imaging harder to read.

    Also, fibroadenomas do not "change" into anything else. They are benign.

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  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited January 2016

    If you want it out, you can request that it be removed. If it's small it might be better to just wait 3-6 months and see if it grows. If it does you could have it removed then.

    It is extremely rare for a biopsy to come back as a fibroadenoma but actually contain cancer. The incidence is about .001-.003%.

    This did happen to me, however. The mass was 3.9 x 3.0 x 2.1cm, and 2.2 x 1.4cm turned out to be cancer. In my case, my breast surgeon recommended I have it removed because I had very dense breasts and one side of it was difficult to see on imaging.

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  • Roxgirl
    Roxgirl Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2016

    Thanks so much for the great info, SummerAngel and MelissaDallas! Appreciated. 

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  • Juliana1835
    Juliana1835 Member Posts: 14
    edited January 2016

    Hi Roxgirl. I had a core bx in Dec for 2 masses, one palpable. They turned out to be fibroadenomas. However, it also turns out there is atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH). I am meeting with a surgeon next week to discuss my excisional biopsies. I think you should wait until you get the path report and then make a decision. I have had fibroadenomas before with usual ductal hyperplasia (I think that's what you call it) and no worries. I am glad I decided to do the core bx because now I am aware of the ADH and can keep an eye on it.

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  • Roxgirl
    Roxgirl Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2016

    Thanks Juliana1835, I appreciate your insight. 

    Sending positive vibes for your appt next week. 💝

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  • saberfencer
    saberfencer Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2016

    Hi

    I've had four fibro's biopsied. All were benign. One was actually very large so they only biopsied a small piece of it and it resolved completely on its own within a few years. It becomes a very difficult question whether to remove or leave any lesion in the breast no matter how benign it appears. It is a question, I believe, of better safe than sorry. In truth the only person who can determine what anything that is not "normal" is -- it's a pathologist, even if this is completely normal for you. The deal is this rapidly becomes a legal rather than a medical issue: many breast surgeons and mammographer/radiologists feel it is essential to investigate even when they are sure something is benign and I have to say I agree with that. Would I do it again? Yes, all for and not for the legal reasons but because it is much easier to be done with it and not even have a slight nagging concern than to be. That is simply my two cents. All the best: Amanda

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  • Roxgirl
    Roxgirl Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2016

    Thanks for the feedback saberfencer, My PC has left the decision up to me. See breast surgeon, have genetic testing, or follow up mammo in 6 months.

    I will probably meet with the breast surgeon but unsure yet if I want to have surgery if not yet medically indicated. Going back and forth on this.

    Thanks again.

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  • swlintexas
    swlintexas Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2016

    I am in the same boat Roxgirl. I am 43 and felt a lump, core biopsy showed fibroadenoma. I am grateful it is benign, but I am an oncology nurse so the nagging feeling of something is growing when it shouldn't be has be wondering when the other shoe will drop and I will not be so lucky. I am not sure of the size, but it is palpable in my armpit. I too am thinking I should have it removed for piece of mind, but my ob/gyn said to follow up in 6 months. Ugh, such decisions.

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  • Roxgirl
    Roxgirl Member Posts: 16
    edited February 2016

    swlintexas, I am seeing the BS Monday. I am still not certain what I want to do, but will get their input and go from there.

    Best wishes and keep me posted on what you decide to do :)

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  • Sunflower739375
    Sunflower739375 Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2016

    Hi everyone, I know this is an old thread but I was wondering if I could ask for your advice? At the end of July I had a mammogram and an us done because I was experiencing left breast pain. The mammogram did not show anything (I'm 40 years old and was diagnosed with very dense breast tissue) but the ultrasound showed a solid nodule, 9mmx5mmx11mm which they feel is a fibroadenoma and a complicated cyst in my right breast, bi rads 3. I saw my bs last week and his suggestions was to wait 6 months and do another us and if there are any changes with size or appearance he would biopsy the nodule right then and there after the us.

    I have a family friend who was a pathologist (she had breast cancer herself and is now retired and my cousin's wife is an ob gyn and they both said to remove it.

    I just am really confused if I should push removal or at the very least biopsy it to a know exactly what we are dealing with. What would you do?

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  • Sunflower739375
    Sunflower739375 Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2016

    Hi everyone, I know this is an old thread but I was wondering if I could ask for your advice? At the end of July I had a mammogram and an us done because I was experiencing left breast pain. The mammogram did not show anything (I'm 40 years old and was diagnosed with very dense breast tissue) but the ultrasound showed a solid nodule, 9mmx5mmx11mm which they feel is a fibroadenoma and a complicated cyst in my right breast, bi rads 3. I saw my bs last week and his suggestions was to wait 6 months and do another us and if there are any changes with size or appearance he would biopsy the nodule right then and there after the us.

    I have a family friend who was a pathologist (she had breast cancer herself and is now retired and my cousin's wife is an ob gyn and they both said to remove it.

    I just am really confused if I should push removal or at the very least biopsy it to a know exactly what we are dealing with. What would you do?

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited August 2016

    I don't know why they would say that since a Birads 3 is not even recommended for a biopsy and appears to be clearly benign.

    Unnecessary surgery presents its own problems because it creates scarring in the breast which can make imaging more difficult in the future.

    I'd do the follow up.

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  • Jean68
    Jean68 Member Posts: 2
    edited September 2016

    Hi Sunflower , I am 48 and found a lump in my left breast 8 months ago, had US said it was a cyst and follow up US in 6 months. The follow up US said the cyst had dissolved but they found another lump very close to where cyst was. Also had mammogram but breast tissue too dense to see it clearly. Lump was thought to be either fibroadenoma or lipoma. BS decided excisional biopsy. Had it removed end of July. My lump was a vascular neoplasm. The lump removed did not have clear margins so I go back in next week to remove more tissue to get a clear margin. The lump removed all shows benign but if some of it has remained it could regrow. I guess my story is, you do not fully know until pathology checks it all out. I am glad it is out but I do have concerns about change to my breast after this wide excisional biopsy next week. Can any ladies tell me how their breast looked after wide excisional biopsy? I know it needs to be done and want it done, one lady said to not think of this as final step and you can get reconstruction done if needed. My left breast is already a little smaller after the biopsy. I have a very fine neat scar at about 7 o'clock on my breast, about 3cm long. I wish you well whatever your decision. Anyone I discussed with all said they would have it removed for peace of mind but we are all individuals.

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  • swlintexas
    swlintexas Member Posts: 2
    edited September 2016

    I thought I would chime back in to follow-up on the thread. I posted earlier about a mammo/US/birads4/biopsy showed a fibroadenoma back in January. I went for my 6 month follow-up in August and it had doubled in size, birads 4 again, sent to BS for excision. I had it removed last week and it is still a fibroadenoma, which is a huge relief. For anyone doubting whether to have benign conditions removed or not, for me it is definitely worth the peace of mind to have it gone. Best of luck to everyone!

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  • Irony
    Irony Member Posts: 46
    edited September 2016

    I'm a breast ultrasound tech. Fibroadenomas are the most common benign tumor found in the breast. The have no greater chance of becoming cancer than any other area In your breast.

    Fibroadenoma are commonly multiple and bilateral. It is simply not realistic to remove every biopsied fibroadenoma.

    In our practice, we recommend removal if it is greater than 3 cm or if it grows within a short period of time (6 months).

    That being said, you have to sleep at night, so if you can find a Surgeon to remove it and you really want it out, then you should do that.

    I've been doing breast ultrasound for 17 years. I have seen many that have grown, but none that have become cancerous. Hope this helps.

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  • chef127
    chef127 Member Posts: 891
    edited September 2016

    I developed a 4cm fibroadenoma? when I was 20. Needle aspiration at the time said it was B9 (dr said it was of no concern) so I was comforted with that and never thought about it being anything abnormal. Started my mammos at 45 and never got a call back and my drs had no concerns so I assumed it was normal, would come and go with my cycle, becoming harder and painful. still no red flags.

    During peri menopause it stopped hurting and the lump was always there, eventually the skin started to dimple around it til a 'crater' formed. Was it still a B9 fibro?? I was finally dx'ed with a 4.5cm IDC.........I wish I had it removed before that dx. Fibroadenomas RARELY become cancerous, mine did.

    Maureen



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  • woodstock99
    woodstock99 Member Posts: 338
    edited September 2016

    I am 63 and as you can see in my profile was diagnosed with bilateral BC almost a year ago and had a BMX in January (small stage 1/dcis). I had a benign fibroid adenoma in my right Breast when I was 18. It was removed surgically. I had another one about a year later in almost same location also removed surgically. Began annual mammograms at that age. Fast forward 20+ years to 1995 when another was found in my left Breast. By this time it was optional to biopsy or remove but I wanted I think removed. Also benign. All good for another 20 years. Who truly knows what is the cause and effect of our actions but i don't regret having all 3 removed. Possibly I bought myself 20-40 years of not having BC. Positive thoughts your way whatever you decide

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  • jdfly
    jdfly Member Posts: 23
    edited October 2016

    Hi Roxgirl this is just my input. This last year I have dealt with all the goings on with breast cancer(invasive ductal carcinoma) and my mother was also dx with breast cancer in January also, hers was a nueroendrocrine w/ lobular characteristics. So in June when my 19 yr old daughter felt a lump she was scared, had biopsy and us. Fibroadenoma . They talked to a specialist and she recommended surgery because of me and my mom. Rachel had it removed September 2016. Everything went well and path confirmed what it was. Rachel is very relieved and happy she had it removed

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  • ranita17
    ranita17 Member Posts: 4
    edited November 2016

    Hello, I posted elsewhere, but am really desperate for more information. Palpable lump found in June 2015 and dr didn't do anything. Went back to another dr Nov 2015, had an ultrasound, BIRADS 4a, 26 x 19 x 6 mm. FNAB in February showed benign "fibrocystic change" Met with a breast surgeon last month because it felt larger. ultrasound showed that it grew to 29 x 8 x 28 mm. CNB with 6 11 gauge cores showed "fibroadenomatoid changes" Surgeon says it has to be removed instead of cryoablation because it is growing and they can't 100% call it a fibroadenoma eventhough it feels like one. I'm very scared. I'm a scientist and read articles and can't see why it has to be removed. What is standard? What are the risks of leaving it versus removing it? I have dense tissue and am 34.

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  • Reie
    Reie Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2016

    Hello,

    So I found a lump in my left breast when I was 19. It was painless in the beginning, but later started becoming extremely painful. Turned out to be multiple fibroadenomas. Consulted an oncologist who said it would be better if I got it removed because of the pain. The surgery left went fine and I was pain free and lump free for around 9 months after which I noticed multiple lumps again, but this time in the right breast too. And the pain came back at full force. I have been living with the pain for 3 years now not knowing if it would be better if I get it removed again. Or even if I did, I would definitely be fibroadenoma free later. All the research papers I have read or the websites that I have gone through state that fibroadenomas are painless which is not the case for me.

    Some advice and help would be appreciated

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited November 2016

    Dear Reie,

    We are sorry that you are having these issues and appreciate your reaching out here. We are hoping that our post will bring your post some additional attention from our members. The Mods

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