Causes of Fibroadenoma
Fibroadenoma Causes: Book Excerpts
Medical news summaries relating to Fibroadenoma:
The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Fibroadenoma:
Related information on causes of Fibroadenoma:
As with all medical conditions,
there may be many causal factors.
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Causes of Fibroadenoma: Online Medical Books
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Breast Masses:
Differential Diagnosis
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
- Fibroadenoma
–Most common cause of a unilateral discrete breast mass in young women
–May be bilateral and/or multiple
–Common in women with “fibrocystic
changes” of the breast
-
Intraductal papilloma
-
Fibrocystic changes
-
Gynecomastia
- Breast cancer
–Most common cause of discrete mass in women older than 50
–Types include infiltrating ductal (most common), infiltrating lobular, and medullary carcinoma
–Increased incidence with obesity, infertility, late first pregnancy (age >30), uterine cancer, history of breast cancer in first degree relatives (3–10-fold increase), and postirradiation
–Usually presents with nontender breast mass, nipple discharge, or occasionally nipple bleeding
-
Galactocele
–Presents during or shortly after breast-feeding
-
Cystosarcoma phylloides
-
Mammary duct ectasia
-
Breast abscess
-
Fat necrosis
-
Cyst
-
Cystic mastitis
-
Lymphoma
-
Lipoma
-
Trauma
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004
Breast nodule [Breast lump]:
Medical causes
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
❑ Adenofibroma. The extremely mobile or “slippery” feel of this benign neoplasm helps distinguish it from other breast nodules. The nodule usually occurs singly and characteristically feels firm, elastic, and round or lobular, with well-defined margins. It doesn't cause pain or tenderness, can vary from pinhead size to very large, commonly grows rapidly, and usually lies around the nipple or on the lateral side of the upper outer quadrant.
❑ Areolar gland abscess. Areolar gland abscess is a tender, palpable mass on the periphery of the areola following an inflammation of the sebaceous glands of Montgomery. Fever may also be pres-ent.
❑ Breast abscess. A localized, hot, tender, fluctuant mass with erythema and peau d'orange typifies an acute abscess. Associated signs and symptoms include fever, chills, malaise, and generalized discomfort. With a chronic abscess, the nodule is nontender, irregular, and firm and may feel like a thick wall of fibrous tissue. It's commonly accompanied by skin dimpling, peau d'orange, nipple retraction and, sometimes, axillary lymphadenopathy.
❑ Breast cancer. A hard, poorly delineated nodule that's fixed to the skin or underlying tissue suggests breast cancer. Malignant nodules typically cause breast dimpling, nipple deviation or retraction, or flattening of the nipple or breast contour. Between 40% and 50% of malignant nodules occur in the upper outer quadrant.
Nodules usually occur singly, although satellite nodules may surround the main one. They're usually nontender. Nipple discharge may be serous or bloody. (A bloody nipple discharge in the presence of a nodule is a classic sign of breast cancer.) Additional findings include edema (peau d'orange) of the skin overlying the mass, erythema, tenderness, and axillary lymphadenopathy. A breast ulcer may occur as a late sign. Breast pain, an unreliable symptom, may be present.
❑ Fibrocystic breast disease. The most common cause of breast nodules, this fibrocystic condition produces smooth, round, slightly elastic nodules, which increase in size and tenderness just before menstruation. The nodules may occur in fine, granular clusters in both breasts or as widespread, well-defined lumps of varying sizes. A thickening of adjacent tissue may be palpable. Cystic nodules are mobile, which helps differentiate them from malignant ones. Because cystic nodules aren't fixed to underlying breast tissue, they don't pro- duce retraction signs, such as nipple deviation or dimpling. Signs and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome — including headache, irritability, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramping — may also be present.
❑ Mammary duct ectasia. The rubbery breast nodule in mammary duct ectasia, a menopausal or postmenopausal disorder, usually lies under the areola. It's commonly accompanied by transient pain, itching, tenderness, and erythema of the areola; thick, sticky, multicolored nipple discharge from multiple ducts; and nipple retraction. The skin overlying the mass may be bluish green or exhibit peau d'orange. Axillary lymphadenopathy is possible.
❑ Mastitis. With mastitis, breast nodules feel firm and indurated or tender, flocculent, and discrete. Gentle palpation defines the area of maximum purulent accumulation. Skin dimpling and nipple deviation, retraction, or flattening may be present, and the nipple may show a crack or abrasion. Accompanying signs and symptoms include breast warmth, erythema, tenderness, and peau d'orange as well as a high fever, chills, malaise, and fatigue.
❑ Paget's disease. Paget's disease is a slow-growing intraductal carcinoma that begins as a scaling, eczematoid unilateral nipple lesion. The nipple later becomes reddened and excoriated and may eventually be completely destroyed. The process extends along the skin as well as in the ducts, usually progressing to a deep-seated mass.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006
Introduction: Malignant Neoplasms:
What causes cancer?
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Researchers have found that cancer develops from mutations within the genes of cells. Thus, cancer is a genetic disease. Cancer susceptibility genes are of two types. Some are oncogenes, which activate cell division and influence embryonic development, and some are tumor suppressor genes, which halt cell division.
These genes are typically found in normal human cells, but certain kinds of mutations may transform the normal cells. Inherited defects may cause a genetic mutation, whereas exposure to a carcinogen may cause an acquired mutation. Current evidence indicates that carcinogenesis results from a complex interaction of carcinogens and accumulated mutations in several genes.
In animal studies of the ability of viruses to transform cells, some human viruses exhibit carcinogenic potential. For example, the Epstein-Barr virus, the cause of infectious mononucleosis, has been linked to Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal cancer.
High-frequency radiation, such as ultraviolet and ionizing radiation, damages the genetic material known as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), possibly inducing genetically transferable abnormalities. Other factors, such as a person's tissue type and hormonal status, interact to potentiate radiation's carcinogenic effect. Examples of substances that may damage DNA and induce carcinogenesis include:
❑alkylating agents — leukemia
❑aromatic hydrocarbons and benzopyrene (from polluted air) — lung cancer
❑asbestos — mesothelioma of the lung
❑tobacco — cancer of the lung, oral cavity and upper airways, esophagus, pancreas, kidneys, and bladder
❑vinyl chloride — angiosarcoma of the liver.
Diet has also been implicated, especially in the development of GI cancer as a result of a high animal fat diet. Additives composed of nitrates and certain methods of food preparation — particularly charbroiling — are also recognized factors.
The role of hormones in carcinogenesis is still controversial, but it seems that excessive use of some hormones, especially estrogen, produces cancer in animals. Also, the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol causes vaginal cancer in some daughters of women who were treated with it. It's unclear, however, whether changes in human hormonal balance retard or stimulate cancer development.
Some forms of cancer and precancerous lesions result from genetic predisposition either directly (as in Wilms' tumor and retinoblastoma) or indirectly (in association with inherited conditions such as Down syndrome or immunodeficiency diseases). Expressed as autosomal recessive, X-linked, or autosomal dominant disorders, their common characteristics include:
❑early onset of malignant disease
❑increased incidence of bilateral cancer in paired organs (breasts, adrenal glands, kidneys, and eighth cranial nerve [acoustic neuroma])
❑increased incidence of multiple primary malignancies in nonpaired organs
❑abnormal chromosome complement in tumor cells.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Malignant spinal neoplasms:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Primary tumors of the spinal cord may be extramedullary (occurring outside the spinal cord) or intramedullary (occurring within the cord itself). Extramedullary tumors may be intradural (meningiomas and schwannomas), which account for 60% of all primary malignant spinal cord neoplasms, or extradural (metastatic tumors from breasts, lungs, prostate, leukemia, or lymphomas), which account for 25% of these malignant neoplasms.
Intramedullary tumors, or gliomas (astrocytomas or ependymomas), are comparatively rare, accounting for only about 10%. In children, they're low-grade astrocytomas.
Spinal cord tumors are rare compared with intracranial tumors (ratio of 1:4). They occur equally in men and women, with the exception of meningiomas, which occur mostly in women. Spinal cord tumors can occur anywhere along the length of the cord or its roots.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Breast nodule [Breast lump]:
Medical causes
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Adenofibroma
The extremely mobile or “slippery” feel of an adenofibroma—a benign neoplasm—helps distinguish it from other breast nodules. The nodule usually occurs singly and characteristically feels firm, elastic, and round or lobular, with well-defined margins. It doesn’t cause pain or tenderness, can vary from pinhead size to very large, often grows rapidly, and usually is located around the nipple or on the lateral side of the upper outer quadrant.
Areolar gland abscess
A tender, palpable abscess on the periphery of the areola caused by an infection and inflammation of Montgomery’s glands. Fever may also be present.
Breast abscess
A localized, hot, tender, fluctuant mass with erythema and peau d’orange typifies an acute abscess. Associated signs and symptoms include fever, chills, malaise, and generalized discomfort. In a chronic abscess, the nodule is nontender, irregular, and firm and may feel like a thick wall of fibrous tissue. It’s commonly accompanied by skin dimpling, peau d’orange, and nipple retraction and sometimes by axillary lymphadenopathy.
Breast cancer
A hard, poorly delineated nodule that’s fixed to the skin or underlying tissue suggests breast cancer. Malignant nodules commonly cause breast dimpling, nipple deviation or retraction, or flattening of the nipple or breast contour. Between 40% and 50% of malignant nodules occur in the upper outer quadrant of the breast.
Malignant nodules are usually nontender and occur singly, although satellite nodules may surround the main one. Nipple discharge may be serous or bloody. (A bloody nipple discharge in the presence of a nodule is a classic sign of breast cancer.) Additional findings may include edema and dimpling (peau d’orange) of the skin overlying the mass, erythema, accentuated veins, and axillary lymphadenopathy. A breast ulcer may occur as a late sign. Breast pain, an unreliable symptom, may be present.
Fibrocystic breast disease
The most common cause of breast nodules, this condition produces smooth, round, slightly elastic nodules that increase in size and tenderness just before menstruation. The nodules may occur in fine, granular clusters in both breasts or as widespread, well-defined lumps of varying sizes. A thickening of adjacent tissue may be palpable. Cystic nodules are mobile, which helps differentiate them from malignant ones. Because cystic nodules aren’t fixed to underlying breast tissue, they don’t produce retraction signs, such as nipple deviation or dimpling. A clear, watery (serous), or sticky nipple discharge may appear in one or both breasts. Signs and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome—including headache, irritability, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramping—may also be present.
Intraductal papilloma
Intraductal papilloma is a small, benign nodule that grows in the lactiferous ducts. A single larger nodule can sometimes be palpated, but multiple diffuse nodules usually resist palpation. Soft and poorly delineated papillomas usually lie in the subareolar margin. The primary sign of this disorder is a serous or bloody nipple discharge, typically from only one duct. Breast pain and tenderness may also occur.
Mammary duct ectasia
This disorder, which affects menopausal or postmenopausal women, produces a rubbery breast nodule that usually lies under the areola. It’s commonly accompanied by transient pain, itching, tenderness, and erythema of the areola; a thick, sticky, multicolored nipple discharge from multiple ducts; nipple retraction; and a bluish green discoloration or peau d’orange on the skin overlying the mass. Axillary lymphadenopathy may also occur.
Mastitis
In mastitis, breast nodules feel firm and indurated or tender, flocculent, and discrete. Gentle palpation defines the area of maximum purulent accumulation. Skin dimpling and nipple deviation, retraction, or flattening may be present, and the nipple may show a crack or abrasion. Accompanying signs and symptoms include breast warmth, erythema, tenderness, and peau d’orange as well as high fever, chills, malaise, and fatigue.
Nipple adenoma
Although similar in symptoms to Paget’s disease, adenomas rarely produce a deep-seated mass.
Paget’s disease
Paget’s disease is a slow-growing intraductal carcinoma that begins as a scaling, eczematoid nipple lesion on one side. The nipple later becomes reddened and excoriated and may eventually be completely destroyed. The process extends along the skin as well as in the ducts, usually progressing to a deep-seated mass.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Breast Mass/Discharge:
Differential Overview
(Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)
Breast Mass
❑ Fibrocystic disease
❑ Fibroadenoma
❑ Breast cancer
❑ Intraductal papilloma
❑ Mastitis
❑ Hematoma
❑ Thrombophlebitis
❑ Galactocele
Breast Discharge
❑ Drugs
❑ Postpartum lactation
❑ Prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma
❑ Intraductal papilloma
❑ Fibrocystic disease
❑ Breast cancer
❑ Mammary duct ectasia
❑ Repeated nipple stimulation
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis, 2007
Breast nodule [Breast lump]:
Medical causes
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
Adenofibroma.The extremely mobile or “slippery” feel of this benign neoplasm helps distinguish it from other breast nodules. The nodule usually occurs singly and characteristically feels firm, elastic, and round or lobular, with well-defined margins. It doesn't cause pain or tenderness, can vary from pinhead size to very large, commonly grows rapidly, and usually lies around the nipple or on the lateral side of the upper outer quadrant.
Areolar gland abscess.Areolar gland abscess is a tender, palpable mass on the periphery of the areola following an inflammation of the sebaceous glands of Montgomery. Fever may also be present.
Breast abscess.A localized, hot, tender, fluctuant mass with erythema and peau d'orange typifies an acute abscess. Associated signs and symptoms include fever, chills, malaise, and generalized discomfort. With a chronic abscess, the nodule is nontender, irregular, and firm and may feel like a thick wall of fibrous tissue. It's commonly accompanied by skin dimpling, peau d'orange, nipple retraction and, sometimes, axillary lymphadenopathy.
Breast cancer.A hard, poorly delineated nodule that's fixed to the skin orunderlying tissue suggests breast cancer. Malignant nodules typically cause breast dimpling, nipple deviation or retraction, or flattening of the nipple or breast contour. Between 40% and 50% of malignant nodules occur in the upper outer quadrant.
Nodules usually occur singly, although satellite nodules may surround the main one. They're usually nontender. Nipple discharge may be serous or bloody. (A bloody nipple discharge in the presence of a nodule is a classic sign of breast cancer.) Additional findings include edema (peau d'orange) of the skin overlying the mass, erythema, tenderness, and axillary lymphadenopathy. A breast ulcer may occur as a late sign. Breast pain, an unreliable symptom, may be present.
Fibrocystic breast disease.The most common cause of breast nodules, this fibrocystic condition produces smooth, round, slightly elastic nodules, which increase in size and tenderness just before menstruation. The nodules may occur in fine, granular clusters in both breasts or as widespread, well-defined lumps of varying sizes. A thickening of adjacent tissue may be palpable. Cystic nodules are mobile, which helps differentiate them from malignant ones. Because cystic nodules aren't fixed to underlying breast tissue, they don't produce retraction signs, such as nipple deviation or dimpling. Signs and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome—including headache, irritability, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramping—may also be present.
Mammary duct ectasia.The rubbery breast nodule in mammary duct ectasia, a menopausal or postmenopausal disorder, usually lies under the areola. It's commonly accompanied by transient pain, itching, tenderness, and erythema of the areola; thick, sticky, multicolored nipple discharge from multiple ducts; and nipple retraction. The skin overlying the mass may be bluish green or exhibit peau d'orange. Axillary lymphadenopathy is possible.
Mastitis.With mastitis, breast nodules feel firm and indurated or tender, flocculent, and discrete. Gentle palpation defines the area of maximum purulent accumulation. Skin dimpling and nipple deviation, retraction, or flattening may be present, and the nipple may show a crack or abrasion. Accompanying signs and symptoms include breast warmth, erythema, tenderness, and peau d'orange as well as a high fever, chills, malaise, and fatigue.
Paget's disease.Paget's disease is a slow-growing intraductal carcinoma that begins as a scaling, eczematoid unilateral nipple lesion. The nipple later becomes reddened and excoriated and may eventually be completely destroyed. The process extends along the skin as well as in the ducts, usually progressing to a deep-seated mass.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
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