Fibroadenoma

Question 1

What is a fibroadenoma?

Answer 1

benign, mobile slow growing breast tumour with epithelial and stromal components

Question 2

Why are fibroadenomas known as ‘breast mice’?

Answer 2

They are small and mobile

Question 3

In what age range are fibroadenomas most common?

Answer 3

20-40 (fibroadenomas are responsive to female sex hormones)

Question 4

Give 6 morphological features of fibroadenomas:

Answer 4

1) painless
2) smooth
3) round
4) well-circumscribed
5) firm
6) mobile

Question 5

What investigation can be used to confirm the diagnosis of a fibroadenoma?

Answer 5

needle core biopsy

Question 6

What is a complex fibroadenoma?

Answer 6

a fibroadenoma that shows cellular pleomorphism and pre-cancerous changes that has an increased risk of cancer

Question 7

True or false: most fibroadenomas do not need treatment

Answer 7

true

Question 8

What size is considered a giant fibroadenoma?

Answer 8

a >5cm fibroadenoma

Question 9

What is considered a juvenile fibroadenoma?

Answer 9

a fibroadenoma in teens

Question 10

If surgical intervention is indicated, what method is used to treat fibroadenoma?

Answer 10

excision biopsy

Question 11

Give three indications for excision biopsy of a fibroadenomas:

Answer 11

1. Complex fibroadenoma
2. Juvenile fibroadenoma
3. Giant fibroadenoma

Question 12

What may complex fibroadenomas be composed of?

Answer 12

cysts, scar tissue and hardened lumps

Question 13

What causes fibroadenomas?

Answer 13

Overgrowth of the collagenous mesenchyme of breast lobules