Fibroadenoma

Differential Diagnosis

The following conditions are differential diagnoses of fibroadenomas:

• Galactocele Galactocele Benign Breast Conditions: retention cyst within the mammary gland Mammary gland Glandular tissue in the breast of human that is under the influence of hormones such as estrogens; progestins; and prolactin. In women, after parturition, the mammary glands secrete milk for the nourishment of the young. Breasts: Anatomy containing milk, which presents as a palpable, firm mass Mass Three-dimensional lesion that occupies a space within the breast Imaging of the Breast in the subareolar region.
• Breast abscess Abscess Accumulation of purulent material in tissues, organs, or circumscribed spaces, usually associated with signs of infection. Chronic Granulomatous Disease: accumulation of pus within the mammary gland Mammary gland Glandular tissue in the breast of human that is under the influence of hormones such as estrogens; progestins; and prolactin. In women, after parturition, the mammary glands secrete milk for the nourishment of the young. Breasts: Anatomy. Usually associated with lactational mastitis Mastitis Mastitis is inflammation of the breast tissue with or without infection. The most common form of mastitis is associated with lactation in the first few weeks after birth. Non-lactational mastitis includes periductal mastitis and idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM). Mastitis. Presents as a unilateral and fluctuant Fluctuant Dermatologic Examination mass Mass Three-dimensional lesion that occupies a space within the breast Imaging of the Breast within a painful, erythematous, and edematous breast.
• Intraductal papilloma Papilloma A circumscribed benign epithelial tumor projecting from the surrounding surface; more precisely, a benign epithelial neoplasm consisting of villous or arborescent outgrowths of fibrovascular stroma covered by neoplastic cells. Cowden Syndrome: benign mass Mass Three-dimensional lesion that occupies a space within the breast Imaging of the Breast with a papillary configuration of breast stroma and epithelium Epithelium The epithelium is a complex of specialized cellular organizations arranged into sheets and lining cavities and covering the surfaces of the body. The cells exhibit polarity, having an apical and a basal pole. Structures important for the epithelial integrity and function involve the basement membrane, the semipermeable sheet on which the cells rest, and interdigitations, as well as cellular junctions. Surface Epithelium: Histology within a breast duct, which presents as a solitary mass Mass Three-dimensional lesion that occupies a space within the breast Imaging of the Breast found close to or behind the nipple Nipple The conic organs which usually give outlet to milk from the mammary glands. Examination of the Breast, with bloody nipple discharge Nipple discharge Fluid that seeps out of one or both nipples of the breast. Examination of the Breast.
• Phyllodes tumor Tumor Inflammation: uncommon fibroepithelial tumor Tumor Inflammation similar to a fibroadenoma but requiring complete surgical excision with clean borders because of its malignant potential. The tumors are categorized into benign, borderline, and malignant types. Histologically, these tumors have stromal overgrowth with increased mitotic activity, with the borderline and malignant tumors showing infiltrative borders. 
• Fibrocystic changes Fibrocystic changes A common and benign breast disease characterized by varying degree of fibrocystic changes in the breast tissue. There are three major patterns of morphological changes, including fibrosis, formation of cysts, and proliferation of glandular tissue (adenosis). The fibrocystic breast has a dense irregular, lumpy, bumpy consistency. Examination of the Breast of the breast: refers to the common changes that happen to breast tissue as a woman ages, causing a “lumpy-bumpy” breast in the more pronounced expressions of the condition. These changes can be non-proliferative Non-Proliferative Fibrocystic Change ( cysts Cysts Any fluid-filled closed cavity or sac that is lined by an epithelium. Cysts can be of normal, abnormal, non-neoplastic, or neoplastic tissues. Fibrocystic Change, fibrosis Fibrosis Any pathological condition where fibrous connective tissue invades any organ, usually as a consequence of inflammation or other injury. Bronchiolitis Obliterans, adenosis Adenosis Fibrocystic Change) or proliferative (epithelial proliferation, sclerosing adenosis Adenosis Fibrocystic Change, papilloma Papilloma A circumscribed benign epithelial tumor projecting from the surrounding surface; more precisely, a benign epithelial neoplasm consisting of villous or arborescent outgrowths of fibrovascular stroma covered by neoplastic cells. Cowden Syndrome), with or without atypia Atypia Fibrocystic Change. Atypical hyperplasia Hyperplasia An increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ without tumor formation. It differs from hypertrophy, which is an increase in bulk without an increase in the number of cells. Cellular Adaptation has a moderately increased risk of carcinoma.
• Mastitis Mastitis Mastitis is inflammation of the breast tissue with or without infection. The most common form of mastitis is associated with lactation in the first few weeks after birth. Non-lactational mastitis includes periductal mastitis and idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM). Mastitis: inflammation Inflammation Inflammation is a complex set of responses to infection and injury involving leukocytes as the principal cellular mediators in the body’s defense against pathogenic organisms. Inflammation is also seen as a response to tissue injury in the process of wound healing. The 5 cardinal signs of inflammation are pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function. Inflammation of the mammary gland Mammary gland Glandular tissue in the breast of human that is under the influence of hormones such as estrogens; progestins; and prolactin. In women, after parturition, the mammary glands secrete milk for the nourishment of the young. Breasts: Anatomy tissue; can be lactational or non-lactational. Mastitis Mastitis Mastitis is inflammation of the breast tissue with or without infection. The most common form of mastitis is associated with lactation in the first few weeks after birth. Non-lactational mastitis includes periductal mastitis and idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM). Mastitis is most common in women of childbearing age.
• Fat necrosis Fat necrosis A condition in which the death of adipose tissue results in neutral fats being split into fatty acids and glycerol. Cell Injury and Death of the breast: usually due to breast injury, which often goes unnoticed. As the damaged breast tissue is repaired, it is replaced by scar Scar Dermatologic Examination tissue. However, some fat cells may have a different response and form what are known as oily cysts Cysts Any fluid-filled closed cavity or sac that is lined by an epithelium. Cysts can be of normal, abnormal, non-neoplastic, or neoplastic tissues. Fibrocystic Change.
• Breast cancer Breast cancer Breast cancer is a disease characterized by malignant transformation of the epithelial cells of the breast. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer and 2nd most common cause of cancer-related death among women. Breast Cancer: malignant tumor Tumor Inflammation of the mammary gland Mammary gland Glandular tissue in the breast of human that is under the influence of hormones such as estrogens; progestins; and prolactin. In women, after parturition, the mammary glands secrete milk for the nourishment of the young. Breasts: Anatomy. The 2 most common histological types of breast cancer Breast cancer Breast cancer is a disease characterized by malignant transformation of the epithelial cells of the breast. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer and 2nd most common cause of cancer-related death among women. Breast Cancer are ductal carcinoma and lobular carcinoma.