Diagnosed fibroadenoma, but still concerned

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Lavender18
Lavender18 Member Posts: 2
edited November 2016 in Benign Breast Conditions

About a month ago (October) I found a marble-sized lump on the bottom side of my right breast. I immediately went to my local breast center where they gave me an ultrasound and decidedly proclaimed that my lump had all of the characteristics of a fibroadenoma. The tumor is mobile, a homogenous gray color, has clear round borders, and is fairly painless. They sent me on my way saying that we would have a follow-up 6 months later, but as more time passes the more unsure I become of my diagnosis.

The fibroadenoma has become slightly painful on a daily basis (especially during my period). It twinges every now and then, and it's tender when I manipulate it. My right armpit is also slightly painful (especially when I press on it) and the pain sometimes travels down to my hand. I can't decide whether I am blowing this out of proportion or not, but I am worried.

Should I go back in and ask for a biopsy? They did mention during my ultrasound that the mass has blood flow, which could either mean that it's a solid mass or malignant. For reference I am 18 years old, no family history of breast or ovarian cancer, never had any other breast issues, and have never been pregnant.

Thanks for your time and advice!

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited November 2016

    Fibroadenomas are COMMON in young women. They have the classic features that you mention and a good radiologist can spot one a mile away. Having a 6-mo. follow up on a suspected fibroademona is both cautious and reasonable. Try to stop probing it. That is not helping.

    Of course, you can always get a biopsy if that is what it will take to ease your mind. I had a fibroadenoma in my youth (meaning about your age) that just kind of appeared one day and it was painful to lay on it. My doc did not think it was BC but back then they did not do needle biopsies, so I just had it taken out with surgery. The bad news is that to have that, it is basically a lumpectomy with similar scarring, except it is not cancer. The good news to have it out is that sometimes a fibroadenoma might conceal an adjacent malignant growth when imaging studies (mammograms, etc.) are done.

    F.Y.I. the biopsy is no picnic, but leaves almost no scarring. It is done with a core needle (that I like to refer to as a leather punch!) and it can take place right in a doctor's office or your breast center, using only local anesthesia. A biopsy is really the only way to be 100% certain about what that abnormal growth of tissue is.

    If this was happening to me, I would wait and see how things looked in six months before doing anything else.

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  • Lavender18
    Lavender18 Member Posts: 2
    edited November 2016

    Thank you for your reply! Yes, I think I will wait (5 months now) for the checkup before asking for any further testing. I witnessed my mom getting a biopsy today and wow, I don't want to go through that if I don't have to!

    The pain in my armpit concerns me, but my lump doesn't feel like it has grown... So I'm going to hold off. And stop touching it! 😀

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited November 2016

    Your anxiety has probably calmed down now a little, which is good. It might be a difficult 5 mo. wait, but hopefully the next image will look exactly the same and it can just be something to be watched without getting too nervous about it. Obviously, if you notice a change or have any new symptom during the next 5 mos., then do not wait to contact your doc's office and get in sooner if necessary.

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