Fibroadenoma
Causes and symptoms of fibroadenoma
Definition of fibroadenoma
Fibroadenoma is a benign tumor characterized by clear boundaries. This formation develops in women in the mammary gland, in the uterus, its cellular structure is soft and elastic, It consists of connective and glandular tissue, moves freely - a symptom of "float", is the main distinguishing feature of fibroadenoma.
The size of fibroadenomas can vary from 2 millimeters to 5 centimeters in diameter. The growth of the tumor is affected by steroid hormones (estrogens) produced by the ovarian follicular apparatus. Fibroadenoma of the prostate is observed in men.
Fibroadenoma causes
To date, the reasons for the development of such a tumor have not yet been precisely established. Experts believe that fibroadenoma in women is the result of hormonal disorders. Its development is influenced by diseases of the ovaries, liver, malfunctions of the endocrine system and much more.
The formation of a tumor at an early age occurs due to a violation of the menstrual cycle. Also, fibroadenomas develop in women after artificial termination of pregnancy and the use of means that have a contraceptive effect. And during pregnancy, they increase in size.
Fibroadenoma in a man, in the area of the prostate gland, occurs due to a violation of the production of a sufficient amount of male sex hormones, as a rule, it develops in older people. Other factors also become the reason for the formation of this neoplasm, for example: trauma and inflammation of the genitourinary organs, promiscuous or irregular sex life, poor blood supply. Also, the disease can develop due to heredity and physical inactivity.
Fibroadenoma symptoms
With developing fibroadenoma, there are no obvious symptoms in women. As a rule, the disease is asymptomatic, manifested by a lump in the chest, which is detected during preventive examinations or by women themselves when probing. The tumor is dense, easily displaced in tissues, has a smooth surface. But sometimes the pain still occurs in the chest.
With the development of this tumor, men are worried about pain in the lumbar region and prostate gland, constipation, and sexual dysfunction are characteristic during this period. Most often, men experience discomfort and often pain when urinating, problems can manifest themselves as an acute delay, a false urge or a sluggish stream.
Diagnosis of fibroadenoma
When diagnosing fibroadenoma, if it is small, for example, up to 1 cm, then, when analyzing the ultrasound data, it is often perceived as a cyst. The disease is diagnosed at the age of 20 to 30 years, as well as in patients much older. There are frequent cases of diagnosing fibroadenoma in adolescent girls. In some cases, fibroadenomas can disappear on their own during puberty.
Fibroadenomas are divided into several types.
- Common fibroadenoma is divided into pericanalicular, intracanalicular, and mixed. This species is not prone to converting to cancer or sarcoma.
- Rarely occurs phylloid or leaf-shaped fibroadenoma, which transforms into sarcoma. Phyloid fibroadenoma can grow to a large size and is characterized by rapid growth.
After a medical examination, the mammography method is used for diagnosis, which consists in an X-ray examination of the mammary gland, an ultrasound examination, a puncture, i.e. a biopsy. It is possible to identify this formation in men with a digital examination of the rectum.
Fibroadenoma treatment
To date, there is no more effective way to treat fibroadenoma than surgical removal. The indications for the removal of fibroadenoma is its rapid growth, when it doubles in size within 3-4 months. In this case, it is most likely a phylloid tumor.
The operation is indicated if the tumor is large, for example, more than 5 cm, which leads to a cosmetic defect and if it goes into the stage of a cancerous tumor.
Traditionally, two types of operations are used:
- Sectoral resection, performed for breast cancer, is the removal of the tumor along with some of the breast tissue.
- Enucleation or peeling of a tumor is an operation that is not a radical intervention procedure.
Operations are performed under general or local anesthesia. At this time, a pathologist performs a histological examination in order to confirm whether to refute breast cancer or sarcoma. After removal, cosmetic stitches are applied.
Modern methods of removing fibroadenomas include:
- Laser ablation is a non-surgical way to get rid of a tumor, without stitches and changes in the shape of the breast, leaving only a tiny scar. The procedure is performed in the surgeon's office and does not require hospitalization.
- Cryoablation is a fast and effective way to freeze. This is the least aggressive procedure in which the tumor is frozen inside the tissue, tumor cells die, the tumor gradually shrinks and as a result disappears. Most patients return to their normal lifestyle the very next day. There are practically no complications, recovery is quick without cosmetic consequences.
- Radio wave removal of fibroadenoma, which includes local anesthesia and ultrasound control, an incision 6 - 8 mm above the fibroadenoma, exposure to radio frequency waves, separation of healthy tissue from tissues with pathology, capture of fibroadenoma with special instruments and removal.
- The mammotomy breast biopsy method involves local anesthesia, an incision over the fibroadenoma, insertion of a probe under ultrasound guidance, and the use of a vacuum to remove the tumor. After such manipulation, a quick recovery is noted, the scar is hardly noticeable.
Surgery is also required to remove the tumor in men.
Prevention of fibroadenoma
In order to prevent the disease, women need to avoid exposure to sunlight, less likely to expose the body to overheating when taking hot baths, and try not to get into stressful situations. Men are advised to observe the rules of personal hygiene, not to abuse alcohol. Taking your health seriously and visiting a doctor once a year should become the responsibility of every woman and man at any age.
Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist
Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".
