Fibroadenoma is the most common type of benign breast tumor, and most don’t increase your risk of breast cancer. Although women of any age can develop fibroadenomas, they usually occur in younger, premenopausal women. A fibroadenoma typically has a well-defined round or oval shape and a rubbery-feeling and is painless.

What Are Fibroadenomas?

A fibroadenoma is a benign, or noncancerous, breast tumor. Unlike a breast cancer, which grows larger over time and can spread to other organs, a fibroadenoma remains in the breast tissue.

They’re pretty small, too. Most are only 1 or 2 centimeters in size. It’s very rare for them to get larger than 5 centimeters across.

Usually, a fibroadenoma won’t cause any pain. It will feel like a marble that moves around beneath your skin. You may describe the texture as firm, smooth, or rubbery. In some cases, though, you won’t even be able to feel it at all.

What Are the Symptoms of Fibroadenomas?

Since they’re usually painless, you might not notice one until you feel a lump while you’re in the shower or during a self breast exam.

Other times, a doctor might find it on a mammogram or ultrasound.

Unlike breast cancer, a fibroadenoma doesn’t cause nipple discharge, swelling, redness, or skin irritation around the breast.

What Causes Fibroadenomas?

Doctors don’t know what causes them. They may be related to changing levels of hormones, since they often appear during puberty or pregnancy and go away after menopause.

What Are the Types of Fibroadenomas?

There are a few different kinds:

  Simple fibroadenomas. They look the same all over when you view them under a microscope.

  Complex fibroadenomas. These are bigger and tend to affect older women. They might have cells that grow rapidly.

  Juvenile fibroadenomas. These are the most common type of breast lump found in girls and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 18. They can grow large, but most shrink over time. Some disappear.

  Giant fibroadenomas. They can grow to larger than 2 inches. They may need to be removed if they press on or replace other breast tissue.

Who Gets Fibroadenomas?

Fibroadenomas are very common. About 10% of women have one of these breast lumps, often without ever knowing.

They most often appear in women between the ages of 15 and 35, or during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Some researchers have found that women with a family history of breast cancer are more likely to get fibroadenomas.

Most women only have one. But about 10% to 15% of women who get them have more than one, either at the same time or over time.

How Are Fibroadenomas Diagnosed?

If you find a lump in your breast, you should see a doctor. You can’t tell for sure what it is by how it feels.

Your doctor will likely feel the lump so they can gauge its texture and size. Even if they think it might be a fibroadenoma, they may recommend that you get more tests to confirm it.

You may get an ultrasound or a mammogram, depending on your age and whether you’re pregnant. Both are quick scans that you’ll get in the doctor’s office.

A radiologist will then check the images of your breast tissue to see if it’s a fibroadenoma or something else.

How Are Fibroadenomas Treated?

You might not need any treatment. If your fibroadenoma is small, your doctor may recommend simply waiting to see whether the lump grows or shrinks rather than trying to remove it right away.

Similarly, if you get a fibroadenoma during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, your doctor might wait until your hormone levels return to normal to see if the lump disappears on its own.

Depending on the size, location, and number of fibroadenomas, doctors have several ways to take them out:

  Lumpectomy or excisional biopsy: This is a short surgery to remove a fibroadenoma.

  Cryoablation: The doctor uses an ultrasound machine to see your fibroadenoma. They’ll hold a tool called a cryoprobe against your skin. It uses a gas to freeze the nearby tissue, which destroys the fibroadenoma without surgery.

What is Lipoma?

A lipoma is a slow-growing, fatty lump that’s most often situated between your skin and the underlying muscle layer. A lipoma, which feels doughy and usually isn’t tender, moves readily with slight finger pressure. Lipomas are usually detected in middle age. Some people have more than one lipoma.A lipoma isn’t cancer and usually is harmless. Treatment generally isn’t necessary, but if the lipoma bothers you, is painful or is growing, you may want to have it removed.

What are Symptoms of Lipoma?

Lipomas can occur anywhere in the body. They are typically:

  Situated just under the skin. They commonly occur in the neck, shoulders, back, abdomen, arms and thighs.

  Soft and doughy to the touch. They also move easily with slight finger pressure.

  Generally small. Lipomas are typically less than 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter, but they can grow.

  Sometimes painful. Lipomas can be painful if they grow and press on nearby nerves or if they contain many blood vessels.

When to see a doctor?

If you notice a lump or swelling anywhere on your body, have it checked by your doctor.

What are causes of Lipoma?

The cause of lipomas isn’t fully understood. They tend to run in families, so genetic factors likely play a role in their development.

What are the risks associated with Lipoma?

Several factors may increase your risk of developing a lipoma, including:

  Being between 40 and 60 years old. Although lipomas can occur at any age, they’re most common in this age group.

  Lipomas tend to run in families.