BREAST CYTOPATHOLOGY

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Benign and Borderline
Tumors
Fibroadenoma
Fibroadenoma is the most common benign tumor occurring
in the breast of adolescent and young women, typically noted
between the ages of 20 and 35 years. It is rare before puberty
and in the postmenopausal period and may show increased
growth during pregnancy and lactation.
Clinical Features
• A fibroadenoma is usually a solitary, firm, discrete, wellcircumscribed
nodule (usually 2–3 cm), freely mobile in the
breast.
• There can be multiple lesions in the ipsilateral or even in
the contralateral breast.
• It is a fibroepithelial tumor with a characteristic biphasic
appearance.
• It may be confused clinically or radiologically with breast
cyst or an intramammary lymph node.
• Rarely carcinomas have been reported in fibroadenomas
(usually in situ or invasive lobular carcinoma).
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