How does my doctor diagnose a fibroadenoma?
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Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:Fibroadenomas are solid, benign, meaning non-cancerous, breast tumors common in young women. They can increase in size during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
If you find a lump in your breast, you should consult your doctor or a breast specialist. To diagnose a fibroadenoma, your doctor may perform one of the following tests:
- Clinical breast exam - In this exam, your doctor manually checks your breasts for changes or abnormalities
- Mammogram - This is an image of the inside of your breast captured either on film like an X-ray or as a computerized digital image.
- Ultrasound - In a breast ultrasound, high frequency sound waves exposed to breast area produce pictures of the inside of the breast, similar to an X-ray. This allows your radiologist to distinguish between a solid mass (benign or malignant, meaning cancerous, tumors) and a liquid mass (cyst).
- Fine needle aspiration - This is a diagnostic procedure that does not require a major incision, or cut, or general anesthesia. For this biopsy, a radiologist or surgeon will numb the breast area with local anesthesia and then insert a very thin needle to withdraw enough tissue for examination under a microscope. This procedure is best for masses that are easily felt or seen on an ultrasound.
- Core needle biopsy - This biopsy procedure does not require a major incision, or cut, or general anesthesia. Your doctor guides a needle to the affected area and removes tissue samples. Your doctor will likely perform this procedure if you have lumps easily detected by hand or by ultrasound.
Fibroadenomas are solid, benign, meaning non-cancerous, breast tumors common in young women. They can increase in size during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you find a lump in your breast, you should consult your doctor or a breast specialist. To... More -
Dr. Devon Webster answered:It depends. Sometimes fibroadenomas are diagnosed by mammogram alone. They have a very typical appearance. If there is any question, your doctor may do a biopsy by inserting a needle into the lump and removing some tissue. This is examined under the microscope to determine that it is a fibroadenoma and not cancer.
It depends. Sometimes fibroadenomas are diagnosed by mammogram alone. They have a very typical appearance. If there is any question, your doctor may do a biopsy by inserting a needle into the lump and removing some tissue. This is examined under the... More -
Dr. Stuart Linder answered:After fibrocystic breast tissue, the fibroadenoma is the most common benign tumor found in the breast. Mammograms are useful combined with ultrasound in diagnosis of a well circumscribed fibroadenoma. Should there be any doubt on diagnosis, then a tissue biopsy may be performed. Types of biopsies include FNA or fine needle aspiration, true core biopsy, and excisional biopsy. Sampling of the tissue itself is always the sure way to diagnosis an adenoma versus a malignant tumor.
After fibrocystic breast tissue, the fibroadenoma is the most common benign tumor found in the breast. Mammograms are useful combined with ultrasound in diagnosis of a well circumscribed fibroadenoma. Should there be any doubt on diagnosis, then a... More
