High-intensity focused ultrasound for symptomatic breast fibroadenoma

Breast fibroadenomas are common benign masses that often develop during puberty, although they can occur in women of any age. The condition is rare in men. Simple fibroadenomas are usually 1 cm to 3 cm in size but giant fibroadenomas can be over 5 cm. They do not usually increase in size and some may disappear overtime. The condition is diagnosed by breast examination, and ultrasound or mammography. A needle core biopsy can be used for histological confirmation. Fibroadenomas are usually painless but can become painful and cause deformity.

If a fibroadenoma is asymptomatic, it does not need to be treated and no follow-up is necessary. However, any growth or other changes to the fibroadenoma should be reported. When symptomatic, fibroadenomas can be removed surgically or by vacuum-assisted mammotomy, which can be done under general or local anaesthesia.