Description

A breast fibroadenoma is a common, non-cancerous breast lump found in women of reproductive age, typically between 14 and 35. It's a solid, benign tumour, meaning it's not cancerous, and it's usually painless, moving, and feels firm or rubbery. Some fibroadenomas can shrink, grow, or even disappear on their own. They can be affected by hormonal changes, potentially growing larger during pregnancy or shrinking after menopause. Many fibroadenomas don't require treatment and can be monitored over time. Surgery may be recommended in certain cases, such as if the fibroadenoma is large, growing rapidly, or if there are concerns about potential cancer. Breast lump removal surgery, also known as a lumpectomy, is a procedure to remove a lump from the breast, often to diagnose or treat breast cancer. When a noncancerous tumour such as a fibroadenoma of the breast is removed, this is also called an excisional breast biopsy, or a lumpectomy. It involves removing the lump and a small amount of surrounding healthy tissue. Lumpectomy is considered a breast-conserving surgery as it aims to remove the lump while preserving as much of the breast tissue as possible. Here's a more detailed explanation: a) Purpose: The health care provider can feel the lump when examining you. However, it can be seen on imaging results, such as a mammogram or ultrasound. Lumpectomy is used to remove breast lumps that may be cancerous or benign (non-cancerous), and the removed lump specimen can be used for histopathological examination. Thus lumpectomy can be done for diagnosis or as a part of treatment. b) Procedure: The surgeon makes an incision in the breast, removes the lump and a small margin of surrounding tissue, and may place metal clips to mark the area for future reference. Types of surgery: A) Lumpectomy (partial mastectomy): Removes a portion of breast tissue, including the lump and some surrounding tissue. B) Wide local excision: Another name for lumpectomy, emphasizing the removal of a wider area of surrounding tissue. C) Excisional breast biopsy: Used to remove a breast lump for diagnosis. You and your provider should consider following before choosing a suitable procedure for you: * The size of your tumour * Where it is in your breast * If there is more than one tumour * How much of the breast is affected * The size of your breasts in relation to the tumour * Your age * Your family history * Your general health, including whether you have reached menopause * If you are pregnant * If you are not a candidate for additional treatment such as radiation Anaesthesia: Lumpectomy is typically performed under general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia (you are lightly sedated and pain free). The procedure takes about 1 hour. Recovery: Breast lump removal is done as an outpatient surgery most of the time and many people go home the same day after lumpectomy. Your skin should heal in about a month. You will need to take care of the surgical cut area. Change dressings as your provider tells you to. Watch for signs of infection when you get home (such as redness, swelling, or drainage from the incision). Wear a comfortable bra that provides good support, such as a sports bra. You may need to put some gauze over the incision so that the bra does not irritate it. Follow-up: After surgery, doctors may recommend radiation or chemotherapy to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. Alternatives: If the lump is large or multiple, or if other factors are present, a mastectomy (removal of the entire breast) may be recommended. Alternative Names: Lumpectomy; Wide local excision; Breast conservation surgery; Breast-sparing surgery; Partial mastectomy; Segmental resection; Tylectomy This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult Dr. Brijendra Singh at Brij Laser And Laparoscopy Centre.