Benign Breast Tumours Flashcards
Types of benign tumours
Fibroadenoma
Adenoma
Papilloma
Lipoma
Phyllodes tumours
Most common benign growth
Fibroadenoma
Explain fibroadenomas
Usually occur in women of a reproductive age
Proliferations of stromal and epithelial tissue of the duct lobules.
Examination findings of fibroadenomas
Highly mobile lesions
Well-defined and rubbery on palpation less than 5cm in diameter
Can be multiple and bilateral
Management
Can usually be left in situ as they have a very low risk of becoming malignant.
Main indication for excision are >3cm in diameter
What are adenomas of the breast?
Benign glandular tumours
More common in older female populations
Nodular and easily mimic malignancy
Should undergo for triple assessment
Explain papilloma
Benign breast lesion in women 40-50 yrs
Usually found in the subareolar region less than 1cm from nipple
Clinical features of papilloma
Blood or clear nipple discharge
Larger papillomas can present as a mass
They usually require biopsy because they appear similar to ductal carcinomas on imaging.
Management of papilloma
Some may require excision to ensure no atypical cells or neoplasia are present.
Risk of breast cancer is only increased with multi-ductal papilloma and most are treated with microdochectomy
What are breast lipomas?
Soft and mobile benign adipose tumours that are usually asymptomatic.
They have a low malignant potential and only removed if enlarging or symptomatic
What are phyllodes tumours?
Rare fibroepithelial tumours
They are usually larger than other benign tumours and older age group represent most cases.
Comprised of both epithelial and stromal tissue and grow rapidly.
Management of phyllodes tumours
Difficult to clincally and microscopically differentiate from fibroadenomas.
33% of Phyllodes tumours have malignant potential
They should be widely excised
Clinical features of benign tumours
Mobile
Smooth borders
Compared to malignant which are usually craggy, firm consistency and fixed.
Dx
Triple assessment should be done to distinguish between tumorus and cysts, abscesses and malignant lesions.
Investigations
All suspicious breast lesions should undergo triple assessment by 2 week wait referral
Examination, imaging and histology to be done.
