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Fibroma of the breast
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
[ Causes mammary fibromas
Despite medical progress, the causes of breast fibroma are still not fully confirmed. There are only some assumptions about the factors that influence the formation of the neoplasm.
Thus, the occurrence of fibroma is mainly influenced by the woman's hormonal background. There are many reasons for fluctuations in hormone levels. These can be constant stressful situations that contribute to changes in hormonal status. In addition, it is worth highlighting the organ pathology of the female reproductive system, when the level of estrogens in the blood increases.
Physiological fluctuations in hormones, such as adolescence and menopause, pregnancy and lactation, also contribute to the development of fibroids. With long-term use of hormonal contraceptives, a violation of the hormone ratio is observed.
It is worth noting that the absence of pregnancy before the age of 30 and frequent abortions also increase the likelihood of fibroma development. There are suggestions that injuries to the chest area can provoke compaction in the connective tissue with the subsequent formation of fibroma.
In addition, the risk of developing a neoplasm increases significantly with excessive exposure to direct sunlight or excessive use of a solarium.
If a dense nodule is palpated in the mammary gland, the woman should consult a doctor for a biopsy and confirmation of the benign nature of the neoplasm.
Symptoms mammary fibromas
At the initial stage of development, fibroma appears as a small rounded lump, which does not cause pain when palpated. A feeling of distension may be felt at the site of fibroma formation a few days before menstruation.
As the neoplasm grows, even the woman herself can easily detect the pathological focus, since the compaction acquires clear boundaries and is palpated without much difficulty. Once the fibroma has been detected, it is necessary to exclude the malignant nature of the origin of the formation.
For this purpose, the mammologist uses special instrumental methods for detecting pathology, after receiving the answer from which a diagnosis is established and further tactics for managing the patient are determined.
In most cases, even if the benign origin of the fibroma is confirmed, its surgical removal is still recommended to avoid malignancy of the neoplasm under the influence of various unfavorable factors.
Clinical symptoms of breast fibroma depend on the stage of development of the neoplasm and its origin. The most common form of fibroma is the usual one, the morphological structure of which can be peri-, intracannular or mixed.
The listed types of fibroma are not capable of transformation into a malignant process. The phylloid form (leaf-shaped) is less common. It is this type that is characterized by intensive growth and transforms into a malignant neoplasm.
Symptoms of fibroma of the mammary gland include the presence of a rounded nodule of dense consistency, not connected to the surrounding tissues, and therefore easily mobile. The surface of the neoplasm is smooth and does not cause pain when palpated.
General clinical symptoms are generally not observed, only when morphological signs of a malignant process appear, an increase in pain is possible, deformation of the skin over the pathological focus, discharge from the nipple and an increase in local lymph nodes are observed. In such a case, malignant degeneration with the development of cancer should be suspected.
These manifestations are considered a complication of fibroma, and therefore, at the first palpation detection of a pathological lesion by a woman or when it is detected using ultrasound or mammography, without waiting for complications, it is necessary to conduct a further examination of the nodule to confirm the benign nature of its occurrence.
The sooner the pathological focus is identified, the sooner treatment will begin, which increases the chances of recovery.
Where does it hurt?
Diagnostics mammary fibromas
The primary detection of fibroma is the independent detection of a nodule by a woman by palpating the mammary gland. In addition, the method of preventive examinations using mammography can detect a pathological focus at an early stage.
On a picture (mammogram), fibroma is a denser formation in relation to the surrounding tissues, with clear contours and rounded outlines. In some cases, with a long-standing nodule, more distinct areas of fibroma can be determined on an X-ray picture due to the fact that the lesion has areas of calcification (deposition of calcium salts).
When visiting a mammologist, the following diagnostic methods are used: palpation of the mammary glands by the doctor during an objective examination, use of ultrasound to visualize the fibroma and detect its exact location.
In addition, diagnostics of breast fibroma in the form of ultrasound allows us to identify the morphological structure of the benign nodule, its shape and size. Using ultrasound, a biopsy of the neoplasm is performed to determine the nature of the development of fibroma.
The obtained biopsy undergoes cytological examination, which identifies malignant cells (if any), which indicates the degeneration of fibroma into cancer.
Final confirmation or refutation of the malignant process is carried out using histological examination after surgical removal of the pathological nodule.
What do need to examine?
What tests are needed?
Who to contact?
Treatment mammary fibromas
After conducting a thorough examination of the woman and establishing the nature of the occurrence of the pathological nodule, treatment for breast fibroma should be determined.
To select a method of treating a disease, it is necessary to take into account the stage of the benign process, the presence of concomitant pathology and the age of the woman.
If the fibroid size does not exceed 5-8 millimeters, then conservative therapy can be used. In this case, hormonal agents should be used to restore normal hormone levels. In addition, the cause of the hormonal imbalance should be eliminated, otherwise the risk of recurrent fibroid is very high.
Conservative treatment is carried out under ultrasound control, but it is not always possible to cope with the neoplasm without surgical intervention.
If conservative treatment does not produce the desired result, it is necessary to use a surgical method. It allows you to remove fibroma without leaving pathological cells that may later cause a relapse.
Surgery for fibroma of the mammary gland
When planning a surgical intervention, it is necessary to take into account the size of the neoplasm, its adhesion to surrounding tissues, the presence of nearby blood vessels, as well as the patient's age and concomitant diseases.
Surgery for fibroma of the mammary gland has absolute indications for its implementation. These include intensive growth of a benign nodule, when the pathological focus increases several times in 3 months. Also, if the fibroma causes discomfort to a woman, the option of surgical removal should be considered.
Surgery for fibroma of the mammary gland is necessary in the presence of a neoplasm whose size exceeds 2 cm, or in such a location of the nodule that it creates a cosmetic defect. Fibroma of a leaf-shaped structure is subject to mandatory removal.
Surgical intervention should be performed in the presence of fibroids during pregnancy planning. As the pathological neoplasm grows, the likelihood of blocking the milk ducts by a nearby nodule increases. Thus, it will not be possible to feed the baby with breast milk.
On the other hand, congestion in the mammary glands can provoke degeneration into a malignant process. In addition, during pregnancy, hormonal changes are observed in the woman's body, which can also contribute to the appearance of malignant cells in fibroma.
Removal of fibroma of the mammary gland
The extent of surgical intervention is determined after conducting an instrumental examination using a biopsy, which reveals the benign or malignant structure of the neoplasm.
In case of benign origin of fibroma, two options of surgical intervention can be considered. Removal of fibroma of mammary gland can be performed in the form of sectoral resection, when the part of mammary gland where fibroma is located is removed.
This method is the most acceptable, since the neoplasm is removed with the capsule, clearing the gland of pathological cells. As a result of such an operation, the probability of recurrence of fibroma is very low.
There is another way to remove the nodule - enucleation, when only the tumor is removed without the surrounding tissue. This method of treatment can leave altered cells in the lesion, which provokes the development of fibroid relapse.
Removal of fibroma of the mammary gland does not take much time and does not require a long stay in hospital. The postoperative period is quite well tolerated, and the woman soon returns home.
However, if the tumor has a malignant structure, the scope of surgical intervention increases significantly. During such an operation, the mammary gland where the fibroma is located is removed, as well as nearby lymph nodes.
More information of the treatment
Prevention
Specific prevention of breast fibroma has not yet been developed due to the fact that the main causes of the neoplasm have not been fully clarified.
However, it is worth highlighting only some factors and measures that reduce the likelihood of fibroma development. Thus, the main preventive method is considered to be regular examination of women.
At a young age, girls can undergo ultrasound examination of the mammary glands to detect a pathological focus at an early stage. With age, the use of X-ray diagnostic methods is allowed - mammography. With its help, a neoplasm is detected, its size, adhesion to surrounding tissues, and structure are specified.
Detecting fibroma at the initial stage of formation allows you to avoid the development of complications and begin treatment in a timely manner.
Prevention of fibroma of the mammary gland also consists of the woman's control over the activity of chronic diseases of internal organs that affect the hormonal state. This is a pathology of the endocrine system (diabetes mellitus, thyrotoxicosis) and organs of the reproductive system.
In addition, it is recommended to have regular sexual activity, strive to have children before the age of 30, and also to avoid abortions, severe stress, and lead a healthy lifestyle.
Forecast
Based on the fact that in most cases the pathology has a benign course, the prognosis for fibroma of the mammary gland is favorable. However, this does not exclude the possibility of the appearance of a neoplasm in another mammary gland in the presence of the cause that caused the formation of the first pathological focus.
As already discussed, with a long-term existence of fibroma, calcium salts may be deposited in its tissues. In addition, as a result of the impact of a negative factor, the probability of malignant degeneration of fibroma cannot be excluded.
When a neoplasm is detected, its size, shape and structure must be regularly monitored. If any changes are detected, further instrumental examination with biopsy should be performed to detect malignant cells.
Fibroma of the mammary gland does not pose a direct risk to a woman's life due to its benign structure. Despite this, without regular monitoring, the neoplasm can undergo transformations, which requires more radical treatment than fibroma. To avoid complications, it is necessary to undergo regular examinations and monitor the pathological focus.