How is fibroadenoma being diagnosed, treated and followed?
The first step for any woman who has found a breast lump is to have a breast examination by a doctor. The lump for a fibroadenoma is usually firm, well defined on palpation. In young women, ultrasound evaluation may be the only necessary study beyond doctor’s examination. In women with 30 years of age or more, mammography is usually a part of the evaluation for any solid mass. On mammography, fibroadenoma frequently shows a mobile, well circumscribed round, oval or lobulated mass. In young women with dense breasts, the fibroadenoma may be missed by mammography. On the ultrasound, it typically appears as a homogeneous, ovoid or lobulated solid mass with a smooth border. The definitive diagnosis of fibroadenoma comes with tissue removal by a biopsy procedure. The biopsy can be done surgically to remove the entire mass or non-surgically to remove portion of the mass by a core needle. A complete removal of the mass gives the patient a definitive diagnosis and eliminates the need for freque
