Breast - Fibroadenoma

Fibroadenoma actually quite common in female patients.

These are the ultrasound images of breast fibroadenomas

  

 

Echogenic foci is seen in fibroadenoma. Suggestive of microcalcification

Ultrasound appearance of fibroadenomas are:-
  1) Oval shape
  2) Circumscribed
  3) Homogeneous
  4) Hypoechoic
  5) Macrolobulated
  6) Smooth, thin, echogenic capsule
  7) Variable Acoustic enhancement


So What is fibroadenoma. Let's see...
- Fibroadenoma is a solid , benign breast lump.
- It contains of fibrous and glandular tissue.
- Common in adolescent and young adult population.
- Having fibroadenoma does not increase risk of developing breast            cancer.

Signs & Symptoms:-
  1) Solitary
  2) Mobile
  3) Firm
  4) Painless
  5) Size increase during pregnancy or having estrogen therapy
  6) Size atrophy after menopause, or when estrogen stimulation is
      decrease

Causes :-  Unknown
However, development of fibroadenoma probably is related to reproductive hormones. Because fibroadenoma most common in reproductive years

Others Imaging diagnosis:-
--> Mammogram : Fibroadenoma appears as Circumscribed;  Round/oval shape;  Occasionally have coarse                               calcification

Impression:
1) Mostly fibroadenoma are left in situ and follow up by ultrasound to see if it have any changes or grow.
2) Some are surgical excision.   The reasons of removal fibroadenomas:-
                                                      - Abnormal Biopsy result
                                                      - Pain or other symptom occur
                                                      - Concern about cancer
3) Biopsy recommed to confirm diagnosis.   Indication for biopsy :-
                                                                      - Size enlarged
                                                                      - Atypical findings on ultrasound
                                                                      - Lesions > 2.5cm, where no previous ultraound for                                                                                       comparison

Notes:
1) Giant fibroadenoma  --> more than 5cm size
2) Complex fibroadenoma --> Cystic changes; calcifications
3) Juventile fibroadenoma --> found in an adolescent girl

Sources:

1) Wikipaedia

2) Medline Plus

3) Mayo Clinics

4) Emedicine.medscape

5) Health guide online