Fibrolipoma of the breast

Fibrolipoma of the mammary gland is a benign neoplasm.

Let's consider the causes of fibrolipoma, its symptoms and diagnostic methods. As well as possible treatment options, prevention methods and prognosis for recovery.

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Epidemiology

Lipomas are most often found in women over 40 years of age. When a neoplasm appears in young girls, the lipoma is hereditary. Multiple lipomatosis is extremely rare. The disease is characterized by the growth of lipomas in all organs and limbs. The pathology is hereditary. The presence of one fibrolipoma in the mammary gland can provoke the growth of others. The growth of the seal is not associated with the general condition of the body, in some cases the size of the formations reaches 10 centimeters or more.

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Causes breast fibrolipomas

The causes of fibrolipoma of the mammary gland are not fully understood, as there are many risk factors that provoke the growth of the neoplasm. Some experts believe that a clogged sebaceous gland can cause fibrolipoma. Let's consider the main reasons for the appearance of the formation:

• Metabolic disorders and genetic failures.
• Pathologies and diseases of the digestive or reproductive system.
• Hormonal changes in the body.
• Hereditary predisposition.
• Constant psycho-emotional stress, causing exhaustion of the nervous system.
• Living in poor environmental conditions.

Most often, fibrolipoma appears in women during menopause. The neoplasm grows very slowly, gradually penetrating into neighboring tissues and pushing them apart as it grows. The main feature of the tumor is its painless growth. The lipoma is mobile, elastic, and its lobular structure is determined upon palpation.

In addition to fibrolipoma, there are several other types of mammary gland lipomas. Nodular lipomas have a capsule, while diffuse lipomas do not have a capsule, as they are surrounded by fatty tissue. Fibrolipomas are considered dense fatty tumors, the structure of which includes fatty tissue. Myolipomas contain muscle fibers, while angiolipomas are characterized by a vascular network. Lipogranulomas, which are fatty tissues deformed as a result of inflammation, also fall into this classification. The tumor may be caused by breast trauma or impaired blood circulation.

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Symptoms breast fibrolipomas

Fibrolipoma of the mammary gland is a benign formation that originates from the fatty tissue of the breast. Fibrolipomas can appear on any organs containing fatty tissue. Many people mistakenly believe that they appear only in overweight people. But in fact, the growth of fibrolipoma does not depend on the state of the body. The formation can appear even in people with underweight, and will still gain fat and gradually grow. Seals have different shapes, both single and multiple.

• The compaction has a soft consistency, but with strong growth it becomes denser. Depending on the predominance of fatty or fibrous tissue, lipofibromas and fibrolipomas are distinguished. If there is abundant development of blood vessels, the tumor takes the form of angiolipoma, in the presence of smooth muscle fibers - myolipoma, and with mucous tissue - myxolipoma.
• Fibrolipomas rarely degenerate into liposarcomas, i.e. cancers, but can contribute to the development of malignant diseases in the mammary gland. If the compaction reaches large sizes, this leads to the displacement of surrounding tissues and deformation of the breast. It is the presence of a cosmetic defect that is the main indication for surgical treatment. The operation is also performed if there is a suspicion of breast cancer, due to the large size of the compaction and its intensive growth.
• If the formation is formed deep in the tissues of the mammary gland, it is not always possible to detect it by palpation. In such cases, the tumor does not cause painful symptoms or complaints in the patient. And it is detected by chance, during an examination by a mammologist (mammography, ultrasound).

The symptoms of fibrolipoma of the mammary gland are not clearly expressed, therefore, during palpation and self-examination of the breast, it is not always possible to detect the pathology. But if the tumor grows, this leads to deformation of the gland and the symptoms of the neoplasm are visible to the naked eye. As a rule, fibrolipoma develops in the deep layers of tissue, but sometimes skin changes are visible on the surface of the breast, that is, cosmetic defects of the disease.

Fibrolipoma is a pathology characterized by a long course and transformation of healthy tissues into fibrin fibers of connective tissues. There is a high risk of calcium salt deposition in the tumor tissue. In this case, the neoplasm causes painful sensations and discomfort when wearing a bra. With such symptoms, fibrolipoma must be removed, since other types of tumor formations can occur against its background. If blood vessels grow into the tumor, this leads to its transformation into angiolipoma, surgical treatment of which is accompanied by severe bleeding.

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Diagnostics breast fibrolipomas

Diagnosis of fibrolipoma of the mammary gland begins with regular palpation and self-examination of the breast. If a mobile seal with clear contours is felt during palpation, then it is necessary to seek medical help. Symptoms of the neoplasm may not manifest themselves for a long time, that is, the woman does not feel discomfort. This is why it is necessary to undergo regular examinations by a gynecologist and mammologist. But when fibrolipoma grows, the breast is deformed, increases in size, which causes cosmetic defects and requires immediate treatment.

Mammography and ultrasound are used to diagnose neoplasms. Additional studies are also used: computed tomography, thermomammography and tumor marker tests.

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Treatment breast fibrolipomas

Treatment of fibrolipoma of the mammary gland depends on the symptoms of the neoplasm and the characteristics of the tumor. Despite the fact that fibrolipoma is a benign neoplasm, it does not resolve on its own and in most cases requires surgical treatment. It grows very slowly and may not make itself known for many years.

• Large lipomas are removed surgically. For this, the method of sectoral resection and tumor enucleation is used. Removal is performed with rapid growth of the pathology and in the case when the fibrolipoma reaches large sizes, causing cosmetic defects and compression of the surrounding tissues of the gland. Surgery is necessary if there is a risk of malignancy of the tumor. High risk of degeneration into cancer occurs in the premenopausal period.
• If the size of the formation is no more than 2-3 cm, then medications are administered for resorption. The most effective remedy is Diprospan, the course of treatment takes about a month with breaks.
• If the formation is small and does not cause discomfort, fibrolipoma can be left. But in this case, careful medical supervision is required. Every quarter, a woman should undergo an ultrasound examination, several times a year, mammography and tests for tumor markers. Oncocytology of nipple discharge is mandatory.

After surgical treatment, the patient will undergo a course of rehabilitation.

To fully restore the body and prevent relapses of fibrolipoma, the woman is prescribed immunomodulatory and vitamin preparations.

Regular examination of the mammary glands is mandatory. After surgery, it is necessary to undergo examination by a mammologist 3-4 times a year and conduct an ultrasound examination to promptly detect new foci of pathology.

Prevention

Prevention of fibrolipoma of the mammary gland consists of a healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition and regular preventive examinations.

• If a woman has undergone surgery to remove a lump, then prevention for her consists of regularly treating the surgical suture and ensuring that there is no discharge or lump at the site of the operation.
• All patients with fibrolipomas are prescribed immunomodulatory drugs, various pharmacological agents to strengthen and restore health, as well as vitamin and mineral complexes.
• In some cases, to prevent neoplasms, the doctor prescribes hormonal therapy. This helps correct body weight and improves metabolic processes, i.e. metabolism.
• A healthy diet is mandatory, that is, limiting the amount of fats and carbohydrates in food and a full, long night's sleep (more than eight hours a day). Regular physical activity and frequent walks in the fresh air.
• Some patients are prescribed hormonal contraception, which prevents the risk of recurrence of fibroids and any other hormone-dependent neoplasms.

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Forecast

The prognosis for fibrolipoma of the mammary gland depends on the stage at which it was detected, the size of the neoplasm, whether the tumor causes pain and discomfort, as well as the individual characteristics of the patient's body. As a rule, the prognosis for fibrolipoma is positive, the woman undergoes surgery or is prescribed a number of drugs that help control the growth of the neoplasm. But without timely treatment, the tumor can cause serious complications.

• The first complication is inflammation of fibrolipoma due to trauma and mechanical damage. This leads to the transformation of the tumor into lipogranuloma, which manifests itself as local edema and is accompanied by painful sensations with a change in skin color. This pathology can be treated both conservatively and surgically.
• A more dangerous complication of fibrolipoma is malignant transformation of the neoplasm. In this case, the patient undergoes surgical treatment and a course of oncotherapy is possible.

Fibrolipoma of the mammary gland may not manifest itself for a long time. Therefore, it is very important to conduct regular breast palpation and undergo preventive examinations. Early diagnosis allows you to avoid possible complications, gives a positive prognosis for recovery and prevents fibrolipoma relapses.

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