Patient-Friendly Fibroadenoma Treatment

Breast Lump Treatment 
Without Surgery

 “There is no reason a woman should have a scar on her breast from breast lump surgery if she has a better option.”

At some point in their lives, more than half of the women in the U.S. will see a doctor about a breast abnormality. Many women find breast lumps during the course of self-examination or a routine check up. Understandably, the greatest concern is that the lump is a sign of breast cancer. Fortunately, the vast majority of breast lumps are due to benign (non-cancerous) causes such as a cyst or a fibroadenoma (a benign tumor). But a small percentage of breast lumps are due to cancer. That is why it is so important to learn as much as you can about breast health, self-exams, diagnosis, and your treatment options.

In the breast health community there is a debate as whether to treat fibroadenomas or watch them and wait. Many patients choose to have them treated because of pain, anxiety about cancer, ongoing growth or cosmetic reasons. 

Many doctors agree that fibroadenomas should be treated. Left alone, fibroadenomas may obscure future imaging of the breast, such as mammograms to appear abnormal. They may also interfere with breast self-examination. 

The choice is up to you and your doctor, but here are some facts to consider:

• 68% of fibroadenomas required treatment within 5 years.
• Over 30% of fibroadenomas continue to grow.
• Approximately 500,000 fibroadenomas are treated annually in the US
• Waiting and watching a breast lump does not alleviate the symptoms or the anxiety.
• Cryoablation is a non-surgical alternative to surgical breast lump removal. 

Learn more about breast lump diagnosis, treatment, and the options available to you.