Invasive growth of leaf-shaped fibroadenoma. Types and symptoms of breast fibroadenoma, its treatment and prognosis

What is it: leaf-shaped fibroadenoma of the breast? This is a tumor that some doctors call phylloides. By its nature, it is a fibroepithelial neoplasm, initially of benign origin.

It can be confused with a cyst, but in fact it has the appearance of leaf-shaped lobular veins with small cysts. The neoplasm does not have a separate capsule, and its contents are a jelly-like mass.

The leaf-shaped form has a more complex structure compared to other types of fibroadenoma.

In advanced cases, the tumor can reach significant sizes. At the same time, it becomes visually noticeable, as the skin on the chest acquires a bluish tint and becomes thinner due to the existing tension. Changes also occur inside - polyp-like growths form.

Forms of the disease

Important! The leaf-shaped form of fibroadenoma is the most dangerous, as it can become malignant within a short period of time.

There are three types in total:

Benign. It does not threaten a woman’s health, since the tissues do not undergo pathological changes.
Borderline. This is an intermediate stage between benign and malignant neoplasms.
Malignant. It acquires the properties of oncology, turning into a sarcoma of the mammary glands, capable of metastasizing.

Reasons for development

The exact causes of the pathology, as well as its degeneration into oncology, are unknown, but a number of provoking factors can be identified:

hormonal surges during puberty;
diseases of the reproductive system, for example, ovarian cysts or uterine fibroadenoma;
pathologies of the endocrine system, incl. diabetes;
fibrocystic mastopathy;
pregnancy;
lactation;
previous abortions;
excess weight;
disruption of metabolic processes in the body;
liver pathologies;
bad habits;
stress;
decreased immunity;
other circumstances affecting the level of hormones in the body.

Important! Leaf fibroadenoma is very sensitive to the level of hormones in the body. When the balance of estrogen and progesterone is disturbed, the risk of developing a tumor in the mammary glands increases.

Symptoms of manifestation

Depending on the factors influencing the tumor, it may not appear clinically for a long time and grow at a slow pace. There are cases where the tumor did not manifest itself for more than 10 years. While its size is small, it does not cause concern to the patient. If the tumor grows to a size of more than 5 cm, it causes significant discomfort. In addition, such a development of pathology raises a lot of suspicion and requires immediate medical intervention.

Symptoms of leaf-shaped fibroadenoma of the breast are as follows:

palpation of a moving lump in the chest;
the appearance of a subcutaneous tubercle;
thinning of the skin, change in its color at the site of tumor growth;
the appearance of pain and discomfort in the chest;
engorgement of the mammary glands;
the appearance of discharge from the nipple;
increased fatigue;
expansion of saphenous veins;
a slight increase in body temperature is possible;
loss of appetite.

Diagnostics

If a woman has noticed similar symptoms or simply has suspicions about the presence of a pathological neoplasm in the breast, she should immediately contact a medical facility.

Important! In rare cases, the disease is diagnosed in men.

After examining the patient and palpating the tumor, the following diagnostic measures may be prescribed:

Ultrasound. Leaf-shaped fibroadenoma on ultrasound looks like a cystic neoplasm with a complex structure.

Dopplerography. Allows you to additionally examine the vessels in the pathological area and identify hypervascularization of the neoplasm.
Mammography. X-ray examination of the mammary glands, revealing changes in their structure. Especially recommended for middle-aged and older women.
Punch biopsy. It is carried out under ultrasound control. The collected material is sent for histological and cytological examination to determine the exact type of tumor and the degree of risk to the patient’s health.

Treatment method

Fibroadenoma can be treated in different ways. If the size is small and there is no intensive growth, conservative methods are sufficient.

Important! It is necessary to establish the right lifestyle in order to naturally balance the patient’s hormonal levels.

Medications are prescribed according to individual indications. Otherwise, it is important to regularly see a doctor to monitor the condition of the tumor.

Advice! Traditional methods can only be used with the approval of the attending physician. For example, cabbage leaves for fibroadenoma are applied to the affected mammary gland at night to relieve discomfort and tissue inflammation.

If the size is more than 1 cm, as well as the risk of tumor degeneration is identified, surgical intervention is required. The tumor can be removed in the following ways:

radio or laser enucleation;
quadrantectomy;
sectoral resection;
cryoablation;
mastectomy.

If necessary, mammoplasty is subsequently performed to restore the shape of the breast. In the future, it is necessary to be regularly examined by a doctor, as the disease can recur.

– fibro-epithelial formation of the mammary gland, belonging to the group of potentially malignant tumors. The presence of a leaf-shaped tumor is manifested by compaction in the tissues of the mammary gland, sometimes of gigantic size; in some cases – pain and discharge from the nipple. Diagnostic tactics include ultrasound, mammography, puncture biopsy and cytological examination of the material. Treatment of leaf-shaped breast tumor is only surgical and may include sectoral resection, radical resection or mastectomy.

General information

In mammology, it is also found under the names of leaf-shaped fibroadenoma, intracanalicular fibroadenoma, giant myxomatous fibroadenoma, phylloid fibroadenoma, etc. Like other two-component formations of the mammary gland (fibroadenoma), a leaf-shaped tumor is characterized by proliferation of epithelial and connective tissue components with a predominance of the latter. Among fibro-epithelial formations of the mammary gland, the incidence of leaf-shaped tumor is about 1.2-2%.

A leaf-shaped tumor of the mammary gland is a difficult-to-diagnose formation with a tendency to intensive growth, recurrence, and malignant degeneration into sarcoma. Malignancy of a leaf-shaped tumor of the mammary gland is observed in 3–5% of cases.

Characteristics of leaf-shaped breast tumors

The international histological classification classifies a leaf-shaped tumor as a fibro-epithelial formation and distinguishes three possible forms - benign, borderline (intermediate) and malignant.

The macroscopic picture of a leaf-shaped breast tumor depends on the size of the formation. A tumor up to 5 cm in diameter is a solid formation, delimited from surrounding tissues, of a grayish-white or pinkish color with a coarse-grained or lobular structure. The section reveals slit-like cavities and small cysts containing a viscous mucus-like mass. The macrostructure of leaf-shaped breast tumors larger than 5 cm is always represented by cystic cavities and crevices filled with gelatin-like secretions and polyp-like growths in cystic cavities.

Microscopically, the structure of a leaf-shaped breast tumor is dominated by the stromal (connective tissue) component. The difference from breast fibroma is a more pronounced stroma with significant phenomena of nuclear polymorphism and proliferation of stromal cells.

A leaf-shaped tumor can be represented by single or multiple nodes located in one or both mammary glands. Phylloid tumors are characterized by sudden, rapid growth; The size of leaf-shaped fibroadenoma is variable - from small nodules to 20 or more cm in diameter.

Causes of formation of leaf-shaped breast tumor

The etiology of leaf-shaped breast tumor is unclear. Its development is associated with hormonal imbalance, primarily with hyperestrogenism and progesterone deficiency. In this regard, the peak detection of phyllodes fibroadenomas occurs during hormonally active transitional periods of women’s lives: 11-20 years and, most often, 40–50 years. In isolated cases, leaf-shaped tumors of the mammary glands occur in men.

Provoking factors for the formation of leaf-shaped tumors of the mammary gland can be pregnancy, abortion, lactation, fibrocystic mastopathy, as well as extragenital endocrinopathies and metabolic disorders - diabetes mellitus, adrenal and pituitary tumors, thyroid nodules, obesity, liver diseases, etc.

Symptoms of a leaf-shaped breast tumor

A biphasic course is typical for leaf-shaped breast tumors. Usually, after a long period of slow development, which sometimes lasts for decades, a phase of sudden rapid growth occurs. The average size of phyllodes fibroadenomas is 5–9 cm, although cases have been described in which the tumor reached a diameter of 45 cm and a weight of 6.8 kg. At the same time, the size of a leaf-shaped tumor of the mammary gland has no prognostic significance - a small formation can be malignant and, on the contrary, a giant fibroadenoma can be benign.

Typically, a leaf-shaped tumor of the mammary gland is detected by the patient herself or a mammologist upon palpation in the form of a dense node. With large leaf-shaped tumors, the skin over the mammary gland becomes thinner and acquires a purplish-bluish tint with dilated saphenous veins visible. There may be pain in the mammary gland, discharge from the nipple of the affected gland, and skin ulceration.

A leaf-shaped tumor is most often localized in the upper and central quadrants of the breast, and when large, it occupies most or all of the breast. Malignant leaf-shaped tumor of the breast usually metastasizes to the lungs, liver, bones; involvement of lymph node metastases is uncharacteristic.

Diagnosis of leaf-shaped breast tumor

On palpation, a leaf-shaped tumor of the mammary gland is determined in the form of a compaction delimited from the surrounding tissues with a lobular structure, consisting of several nodes merging with each other.

Radical breast resection, subcutaneous or radical mastectomy is justified if the tumor is large or malignant. Lymphadenectomy is usually not performed. After radical interventions, reconstructive mammoplasty is performed using one’s own tissues or endoprostheses. Radiation and hormonal therapy for leaf-shaped breast tumors are not indicated.

Prognosis for leaf-shaped breast tumor

A feature of leaf-shaped breast tumors is their frequent tendency to recur: according to observations, benign phyllodes fibroadenomas recur in 8.1% of cases, borderline ones - in 25%, malignant ones - in 20%.

Relapses often occur within a period of several months to 2-4 years; in this case, a transition from the benign form to the intermediate or sarcomatous form is possible. Expanding the scope of intervention (mastectomy) leads to a decrease in the risk of developing local recurrences of leaf-shaped breast tumors.

Leaf fibroadenoma of the mammary gland is a rare breast tumor that typically develops in women in their 40s. These tumors are also called phyllodes, from the Greek word “phyllodes”, which means “leaf-shaped”. We can say that a more correct name is “leaf-shaped tumors”, since this is a group of neoplasms, the representatives of which can have very different behavior.

This name is due to the fact that tumor cells have a leaf-shaped growth pattern. Leaf-shaped fibroadenoma tends to grow rapidly, but rarely spreads beyond the breast.

Phyloid fibroadenoma occurs in approximately 0.5% of all breast tumors and is formed from a combination of stromal and epithelial cellular elements. The tumor can develop in both the right and left breast.

There are three main types of phyllodes tumors:

Benign (non-cancerous) – make up approximately 50-60% of phyllodes tumors.
Borderline tumors are not yet malignant tumors, but they can turn into them.
Malignant - account for approximately 20-25% of all leaf-shaped tumors.

In their least aggressive form, phyllodes tumors are similar to benign fibroadenomas, which is why they get their name - leaf-shaped fibroadenoma of the mammary gland. On the other hand, malignant leaf-shaped neoplasms can metastasize through the bloodstream to distant organs, sometimes turning into sarcomatous lesions.

How do phyllodes tumors develop in the breast?

Unlike breast cancer called carcinoma, which grows inside the ducts or lobules of the breast (intracanalicular tumor), leaflet tumors begin growing outside them (as pericanalicular fibroadenoma). Phylloid tumors develop in the connective tissue (stroma) of the breast, which includes fatty tissue and ligaments surrounding the ducts, lobules, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels in the breast. In addition to stromal cells, they may also contain cells from the ducts and lobules of the mammary gland.

Symptoms and signs of leaf-shaped fibroadenoma

The most common symptom of phyllodes tumors is a breast nodule, which the patient or doctor may notice during a self-exam or breast examination. These tumors can grow rapidly over several weeks or months, reaching 2-3 cm in size and sometimes more. Such rapid cell proliferation does not mean that a phyllodes tumor is malignant, because benign tumors can also grow quickly.

The nodule is usually painless. If left untreated, the nodule can create a visible bulge. In more advanced cases, a leaf-shaped tumor can lead to the formation of an ulcer or open wound on the skin of the chest.

Diagnostics

Like other, rare types of breast tumors, leaf-shaped fibroadenoma is difficult to diagnose because doctors almost never encounter it. Phyllodes tumors can also look similar to the more common benign fibroadenomas.

Two key differences between fibroadenomas and leaflet tumors are that the latter grow more quickly and develop at about 10 years later in age (after 40, as opposed to 30). These differences can help doctors differentiate between these growths.

Establishing a diagnosis is usually carried out in several steps:

Physical examination of the mammary glands;
Mammography;
Ultrasonography;
Magnetic resonance imaging.

Biopsy and histology are the only way to accurately diagnose a leaf-shaped tumor. In addition, it is possible to determine the type of neoplasm (benign, borderline or malignant) and the degree of cell proliferation.

The term “benign tumor” often makes people think that the disease is not dangerous and does not require treatment. But benign phyllodes tumors, like malignant ones, can grow to large sizes, create visible nodules in the breast, and even break through the skin, causing pain and discomfort. Therefore, any type of these neoplasms requires treatment.

Treatment

Regardless of whether a leaf-shaped tumor is benign, malignant or borderline, the treatment is the same - surgery to remove the tumor along with at least 1 cm of surrounding healthy breast tissue. Some doctors believe that even more healthy tissue needs to be removed.

Wide excision is important because in cases where it is not performed, phyllodes tumors tend to recur in the same area of the breast. This applies to both malignant and benign neoplasms.

Possible surgical operations:

Lumpectomy - The surgeon removes the tumor and at least 1 cm of normal tissue around it.
If the lump is very large or the breast is small, it can be very difficult to perform a wide excision and preserve enough healthy tissue to provide a natural-looking breast. In this case, the doctor may recommend:
- Partial or segmental mastectomy - the surgeon removes the part of the breast that contains the tumor.
- Total or simple mastectomy – the surgeon removes the entire breast but nothing else.

Phylloid tumors rarely spread to the axillary lymph nodes, so in most cases they do not need to be removed.

Malignant leaf-shaped tumors are rare. If they have not spread beyond the breast, radiation therapy can be used to stop cell proliferation. If they have metastasized to other parts of the body, treatment should include chemotherapy.

Post-treatment care

The doctor should monitor the patient after treatment. Phylloid tumors can sometimes recur. Relapse usually occurs within a year or two after surgery. Malignant leaf-shaped tumors may recur more quickly than benign ones.

The doctor and patient should work together to schedule visits and tests, which may include:

Physical examination of the breast by a doctor within 4-6 months;
Mammography and ultrasound examination 6 months after treatment;
Magnetic resonance or computed tomography - as prescribed by a doctor if he suspects a risk of distant metastases.

If malignant leaf-shaped tumors reappear in the breast, treatment includes wide excision or mastectomy. Some doctors also recommend radiation therapy.

Less than 5% of phyllodes tumors recur in other areas of the body (distant metastases). Possible treatments include surgical removal, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Leaf-shaped (phylloid) fibroadenoma is a benign neoplasm that affects the mammary glands. The formation of formations occurs during a period of hormonal imbalances. With the negative impact of certain factors, degeneration of the tumor into a malignant form cannot be ruled out.

What's happened

When there is a pathological growth of connective or glandular tissue that makes up the ducts or lobules of the mammary glands, a pathological process such as fibroadenoma develops. The structural structure of the formations contains a large number of fibrous fibers, while the concentration of glandular cells is significantly reduced.

The body of the neoplasm contains many cavities that resemble leaves in shape. Inside, each element is filled with a thick liquid. The nodes lack a capsule and a stalk, which facilitates their free movement during palpation of the tumor.

New growths can reach from one to ten centimeters or more in size. In more severe cases, when active growth of the tumor is noted, it can be up to 35 centimeters in diameter and weigh about 6 kilograms.

The peculiarity of this type of neoplasm is that it has a high predisposition to malignancy of the pathological process, as a result of which sarcoma develops.

It is worth immediately noting that size does not affect malignancy. Even small tumors may contain malignant cells, but large tumors may not have abnormal cells.

In most cases, leaf-shaped fibroadenoma of the breast is diagnosed in teenage girls during puberty, as well as in premenopausal women (from 40 to 50 years).

In the female half of the population of reproductive age, such forms of pathology occur in relatively rare cases.

In addition, a specific feature of the disease is a long latent period. Tumor formation is possible over several years. In this case, the woman will not be bothered by discomfort and other characteristic signs.

Under the influence of certain factors, as well as as a result of an increase in estrogen levels against the background of a decrease in progesterone, the growth of the tumor is activated.

In 10 percent of all cases of leaf-shaped fibroadenoma, there is a high risk of tumor degeneration into a malignant form.

Classification

Leaf fibroadenoma of the breast is divided into three types.

Benign

Does not pose a risk to women's health. This is explained by the fact that during the development of the pathological process, the tissues do not undergo atypical changes.

Border

Represents an intermediate stage. In other words, this is the period of time when a benign tumor degenerates into a cancerous one.

Malignant

Properties characteristic of oncological diseases are observed. Sarcoma develops. Over time, neoplasms begin to spread metastases to nearby and distant organs and systems.

Causes

Multiple factors can provoke the formation and growth of leaf-shaped fibroadenoma, which in most cases negatively affect hormonal levels.

Common reasons as a result of which the disease may begin to develop include:

Abortion. As a result of such medical intervention, progesterone, which is necessary in the body to maintain the life of the fetus, begins to drop sharply.
Pathologies endocrine systems. For the hormonal system to function normally, the body must have a certain amount of hormones produced by the thyroid gland, adrenal glands and pituitary gland.
Disease uterus and ovaries. They can cause disruptions in the menstrual cycle, as well as hormonal disorders.
Incorrect exchange processes, including the development of diabetes and obesity.
Reception oral contraceptive medications for a long period of time, as well as abuse of hormonal drugs, which contain a large amount of estrogens.
Malfunctions in the functioning of the central nervous systems.

The disease can also be triggered by instability of the hormonal system, depending on the age category of women.

For girls

The main provoking factor in adolescence may be a rapid increase in estrogen in the blood fluid, which is caused by the maturation of the ovaries. In most cases, after the hormonal levels return to normal, the tumor stops growing.

In the elderly

During the postmenopausal period, estrogens are no longer produced in the required quantities, which leads to a decrease in their levels. For this reason, the growth of tumors stops.

However, against the background of pathologies of the endocrine system, the development of which occurs precisely in old age, estrogens begin to be produced at an accelerated rate.

As a result of this condition, the tumor not only begins to grow, but can also degenerate into a cancerous form. For this reason, older women are recommended to undergo regular preventive examinations.

During pregnancy

A leaf-shaped tumor, localized in the mammary gland, usually develops long before the child is conceived. A surge in hormonal levels and an increased concentration of estrogen can lead to an increase in tumor formation, as well as to malignancy in a short period of time.

But this may not always happen. Fibroadenoma does not in any way affect the course of pregnancy and the development of the embryo. However, constant monitoring of the condition by specialists should be ensured.

Symptoms

The development of phylloides adenoma occurs in several stages. At first, for a long time, a woman may not be aware of the presence of a nodule filled with mucus in her chest.

As a result of severe hormonal imbalance, tumor growth is activated, which increases the risk of malignancy in the pathological process.

When palpating the mammary gland, a small nodule with pronounced mobility is detected.

In some cases, the development of the disease is diagnosed in both mammary glands at once. If the tumor is mobile, you should immediately contact a mammologist, since it is often in small tumors that atypical cells are found.

As the disease progresses, the symptoms become more pronounced, the pathological process is accompanied by:

characteristic secretions from the nipple;
swelling and a change in the shade of the skin in the affected area;
expansion veins at the site of tumor formation;
ulcerations;
general weakness;
increase temperature bodies;
deterioration well-being.

If you do not consult a specialist in time, the disease begins to progress even more. The size of fibroadenoma can increase to 10-15 centimeters. When the disease becomes malignant, pain appears in the chest, and fluid mixed with blood begins to be released from the nipple.

A prolonged absence of therapeutic measures can lead to the spread of metastases to the lungs, bone tissue, and liver.

Diagnostics

During the first examination, the doctor collects the necessary information about the patient’s medical history and the symptoms that bother her. In addition, he palpates the breast and detects the presence of tumors. If a tumor is suspected, an instrumental diagnostic examination is prescribed.

Ultrasound

Using ultrasound, it becomes possible to determine the presence of compactions, as well as differentiate fibroadenoma from cystic formation.

The echogram will show a tumor with a heterogeneous structure, various cavities and multiple slits. Using the resulting image, you can study the structural structure and identify the exact size of the fibroadenoma.

If necessary, in some cases Doppler ultrasound of blood vessels is performed.

Mammography

This is an X-ray examination of the mammary glands to determine the tumor and the nature of its edges. The procedure shows the clear outline of the growth, as well as its shape, which can be oval or round.

Biopsy

A puncture biopsy is prescribed to study the composition of tumor formations. In addition, this procedure makes it possible to differentiate fibroadenoma from other neoplasms, as well as the location of the pathological process and the likelihood of its malignancy.

Histological examination

This event is carried out after the fibrous tumor is removed. Based on the results obtained, the specialist makes a final diagnosis.

Treatment

It is immediately worth noting that drug therapy is not carried out when diagnosing leaf-type breast fibroadenoma, since there will be no result in this case.

The disease can only be treated with surgery.

Indications for surgery include:

Availability cancerophobia;
suspicion of malignancy illness;
rapid proliferation tumor formation and disease progression;
aesthetic defects.

The decision on the choice of surgical treatment is made by the mammologist based on the results of the diagnostic examination.

If a tumor is suspected of degenerating into cancer, a consultation with an oncologist is required.

There are several methods for removing fibroadenoma.

Sectoral resection

Lumpectomy is considered one of the optimal methods of surgical treatment of the disease, which eliminates future relapses. During the procedure, not only the tumor itself is removed, but also 1-3 centimeters of the surrounding tissue.

Enucleation

It is used when diagnosing a benign neoplasm, the diameter of which does not exceed the permissible dimensions for such an event. To remove the tumor body, a small incision is made in the chest.

Mastectomy

Involves complete or partial excision of the mammary gland. Manipulation is indicated when the tumor is actively growing, when it is large, and also if there are multiple nodes.

Complications

The most serious consequence is considered to be malignancy of the disease. The risk of degeneration into a malignant tumor increases in the absence of adequate treatment, as well as when the pathology is diagnosed at later stages of development.

The spread of metastases to nearby and distant organs is also not excluded.

Forecast

After surgery, the patient's condition should be constantly monitored. This is explained by the predisposition of leaf-shaped fibroadenoma to relapse.

In most cases, recurrence of phylloides is observed after 2-4 years from the moment of tumor removal. In addition, it cannot be ruled out that if the tumor reappears, it may degenerate into a malignant form.

After an operation to resection a leaf-shaped tumor, the treatment outcome is quite favorable, but only on the condition that all the recommendations given by the specialist were strictly followed.

When diagnosing and treating malignant tumors, the prognosis is less favorable.

Prevention

To prevent the appearance of leaf-shaped neoplasms in the mammary glands, it is necessary to adhere to some preventive rules:

conducting healthy lifestyle;
balanced nutrition;
avoidance stress;
absence abortions;
chest feeding after the birth of the child;
maintaining a full sexual life;
avoiding medications hormonal groups;
timely elimination of diseases infectious nature of origin;
regular prophylactic examination by a mammologist.

Every woman should be attentive to her health and, at the slightest change in her body, seek advice from specialists.

Leaf-shaped fibroadenoma of the mammary gland has many synonyms: phyllodes cystosarcoma, phyllodes fibroadenoma, fibrosarcoma. This neoplasm accounts for about 2-5% of cases of all types of fibroadenomas.

Causes of leaf-shaped fibroadenoma

A huge number of factors can influence the occurrence of this tumor. The main culprits of the neoplasm:

Heredity - tumor processes can be transmitted from generation to generation, which is associated with mutations in some genes;
Metabolic disorders - obesity and atherosclerosis presumably affect the formation of tumor processes, although there is no exact data yet;
Failure in hormonal status - the likelihood of the disease is higher in people with problems with the thyroid gland and ovaries. This is especially true for tumors that can produce additional hormones. This phenomenon is easily explained - the glands are hormone-dependent, so they immediately fall under hormonal attack;
Early menstruation, a huge number of abortions, early menopause also increase the risk of leaf-shaped fibroadenoma;
Dietary features – a large amount of meat and fats is dangerous in terms of the occurrence of a benign process in the gland;
Radiation background - irradiation promotes the degeneration of healthy cells;
Taking hormonal medications and COCs.

Tissue structure

There are three stages of development of leaf-shaped fibroadenoma:

Benign tumor - there is a clearly defined capsule, there are few or no atypical cells, the cells lack mitotic activity (they do not divide). Fibrous and glandular tissue are evenly distributed;

Malignant leaf-shaped fibroadenoma - the capsule is no longer there, fibrous tissue is in large quantities and significantly predominates over the glandular component. Cells are actively dividing, which leads to an increase in the number of atypical cells. Tumor growth in the breast tissue is observed.

The borderline process is the division of atypical cells, although the process is not yet active. Slow growth of cancer into organ tissue may be observed.

Symptoms

If the tumor is small, it does not appear, but it can be detected through a thorough examination of the gland and diagnostic measures. As the node enlarges, a nagging pain appears in the organ, and there may be unpleasant sensations. If the size of the formation exceeds 3 cm, then the skin above it becomes thin, almost transparent, shiny, and dilated veins are clearly visible. When located close to the skin, a bulging node appears, which spoils the appearance of the organ, causing moral suffering to the woman. The tumor itself is large, densely elastic, the edges are clearly palpable.

As the tumor grows and invades neighboring tissues, constant pain appears in the gland, and sometimes clear discharge from the nipple is observed.

A malignant leaf-shaped tumor gives hematogenous metastases. In most cases, the lungs and bones are affected. Metastasis through the lymphatic tract is not typical for this neoplasm, so nearby lymph nodes rarely increase in size.

Leaf fibroadenoma develops into cancer in about 5% of cases.

Diagnostics

The results of mammography reveal a dense round or oval node with a sharply defined, smooth edge. In rare cases, the tumor contains foci of calcification (calcifications).
Ultrasound examination can detect a tumor with a clear contour and small cysts.
Magnetic resonance imaging is a highly effective method for diagnosing leaf-shaped fibroadenoma. The images clearly visualize a tumor with a lobular structure. This study is carried out with and without contrast; this is necessary for a more detailed diagnosis. MRI helps to clarify the size, nature and type of tumor, and the extent of surgical intervention.
Radioculide study is carried out in cases where other studies have not been able to accurately determine the type of tumor.
A biopsy in the case of leaf-shaped fibroadenoma is performed, but its effectiveness is very low - approximately 30%.
If suspected, bones and lungs are examined. To exclude lung damage, a plain radiography is done. For bone pain and pathological fractures, a scintigraphic examination is performed.

Treatment

If the tumor is small and there are no signs of malignancy, sectoral resection of the organ is resorted to. In this case, the affected sector of the mammary gland is excised, capturing healthy tissue, this helps reduce the number of relapses of the disease. If the doctor decided to take care of the patient and performed enucleation - removal of only the tumor with a capsule - this will result in a recurrence of leaf-shaped fibroadenoma for the woman.

If there is a large tumor that changes the appearance of the mammary gland, they resort to. The peculiarity of the operation for this form of cancer is the preservation of lymph nodes. Subsequently, cosmetic reconstructive surgeries with implants are performed.

If a malignant leaf-shaped fibroadenoma is detected, the affected gland is removed and then the woman undergoes chemotherapy.

Forecast

Disease in most cases proceeds favorably. Early detection of the tumor allows the node to be quickly removed and the woman returns to normal life. With sectoral resection, the recurrence rate of fibroadenoma is only 20%.

During enucleation surgery, the probability of recurrence of the disease is 100%!

With malignant degeneration, everything will depend on the woman herself and the response to the treatment.

Prevention

There is no specific prevention. But there is a chance to reduce the risk of developing leaf-shaped fibroadenoma if you follow a number of measures

To do this you need:

lead a healthy lifestyle, preferably with high physical activity;
change your diet - increase the amount of seafood and sea fish;
do not drink alcohol;
avoid stress;
follow recommendations for the treatment of chronic diseases.

For early diagnosis of the process you need to examine your mammary glands yourself for lumps and lumps, and visit the examination room annually. Since the small size of the tumor node sometimes does not allow it to be detected during examination, it is extremely important to undergo ultrasound and mammography of the mammary glands if necessary.