Fibroadenoma

Fibroadenomas, which are generally firm, smooth, and round, can be readily moved under the skin and are often described as feeling similar to marbles. Typically the masses measure from 1 to 3 centimeters in size, but occasionally they may grow much larger, in which case they are termed giant fibroadenomas. Fibroadenomas, which arise from the intralobular stroma, are solid and consist of a combination of glandular and fibrous tissues. The tumors are usually painless and present no symptoms, typically being discovered by young women only due to self-examination. In older women, fibroadenomas are often less palpable and may first be discovered during a routine mammogram.

Fibroadenomas showing circumscribed margins, even distribution of epithelial and stromal components and low stromal cellularity.
-Low power scanning of Fibroadenoma :
# Use low power scanning to determine:
  •  the basic pattern - pericanalicular or intracanalicular
  •  edge of lesion (pushing or infiltrative) - should be pushing
  •  balance between stroma and epithelium - should be even
  •  to pick out areas of stromal hypercellularity



# The stroma can be cellular particularly in younger patient's lesions - but it's usually uniform

# The occasional stromal mitosis is acceptable in a younger patient's lesion but take advice

# Uneven stromal cellularity in a core biopsy may be a pointer to a Phyllodes Tumour

You can suspect Phyllodes Tumour if:
* Patient older than 40 years
* Lesion larger than 4 cm
* History of recent growth