Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and medical history, they will perform a physical examination of both breasts to detect lumps and other breast problems. There are fibroadenomas that, being so tiny, can only be seen in imaging studies.
Depending on the characteristics of the lump your doctor feels, they may order the following diagnostic tests:
- Mammogram.
- Ultrasound.
- Fine needle aspiration to determine if it is a cyst.
- Core needle biopsy to collect a tissue sample for laboratory analysis. If a biopsy shows that the lump is a fibroadenoma, it may be left in place or removed.
The indicated treatment will consist of assessing whether it is a simple or complex fibroadenoma or a phyllodes tumor. Depending on this, you may only have regular monitoring to detect changes in size or appearance.
In some cases, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the fibroadenoma, especially if tests show it is large, irregular in shape, bothersome, or continues to grow.
The surgical procedures that are usually performed are:
- Radiofrequency ablation: high-frequency energy is used to destroy the lump without affecting nearby tissues, relying on an ultrasound that serves to focus the energy beam on the mass.
- Cryoablation: a cryoprobe is inserted to freeze the tumor and remove it.
It is important to note that when a fibroadenoma is removed, it may come back on its own or with new ones. Comprehensive women’s health is our priority at the Women’s Center, so we offer services focused on women in all their chronological stages with the highest standards of care to improve their quality of life, through a wide range of prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up services. It has three specialized units:
