Breast lipoma (lipofibroma, fibrolipoma)

Have you noticed a soft lump in the breast that gradually increases in size but does not cause pronounced pain? In most cases, such changes are benign in nature. One of the common causes is a lipoma — a tumor-like formation of adipose tissue. At the same time, without an examination it is impossible to reliably determine the nature of the changes.

If a lump has appeared, it is important to consult a mammologist in a timely manner to clarify its nature and exclude other diseases. At the medical center «Oxford Medical» in Kyiv, patients can have a breast ultrasound and receive well-founded recommendations regarding further actions.

A breast lipoma is a benign neoplasm that forms from adipose tissue cells. That is why it is often called a fatty tumor. A lipoma has clear boundaries, is usually surrounded by a thin capsule, and is well demarcated from the surrounding tissues. It grows slowly and does not invade adjacent structures.

A lipoma in the breast usually presents as a soft or moderately firm lump that may be mobile during palpation and, as a rule, does not cause pain. In most cases, the skin over the formation is not changed, there is no redness or discharge. If it gradually increases in size, a sensation of pressure, discomfort, or breast asymmetry may appear.

Sometimes a lipoma of the breast gland does not cause any complaints for a long time and is detected incidentally — during self-examination or a preventive examination by a doctor. Any lump in the breast requires examination. Only after consultation with a specialist and instrumental diagnostics can its nature be accurately determined and the optimal tactics of observation or treatment be chosen.

Breast lipomas may develop under the influence of various risk factors. It is believed that the formation occurs as a result of a local disturbance in the growth of adipose tissue cells. In a certain area, they begin to multiply more actively, forming a nodule demarcated by a capsule.

The factors that may contribute to the development of a fatty tumor include:

• hormonal changes — fluctuations in the levels of estrogens and progesterone, especially during the period of perimenopause and menopause, may affect the condition of the breast tissues, which is why lipomas are more often detected in women after 40 years of age.
• metabolic disorders — excess body weight, changes in lipid metabolism, insulin resistance may create conditions for local overgrowth of adipose tissue;
• hereditary predisposition — if there have already been cases of benign tumors in the family, the risk of their occurrence may be higher;
• breast injuries — mechanical damage to tissues is sometimes considered a triggering factor for local changes in adipose tissue;
• endocrine disorders — diseases of the thyroid gland, diabetes mellitus, and other hormonal disorders may affect the structure of breast tissues.

In most cases, a fatty tumor in a woman’s breast forms without an obvious cause. It is not a consequence of an unhealthy lifestyle and is not associated with oncological processes.

During the consultation, the mammologist уточняет жалобы and conducts palpation — assesses the size of the neoplasm, its mobility, density, and the condition of the skin around it. Clinical examination allows suspicion of the benign nature of the process; however, instrumental methods are required to confirm the diagnosis.

The main method of primary diagnosis is ultrasound examination. It allows assessment of the size of the nodule, its boundaries, structure, and relationship with surrounding tissues.

Women over 40 years of age or in the presence of suspicious changes are additionally prescribed mammography. This X-ray examination helps to evaluate the breast tissue in more detail and exclude other pathological formations.

In cases where the structure of the nodule raises questions or it is necessary to definitively confirm its nature, a fine-needle biopsy may be performed with subsequent cytological or histological examination

The treatment tactics depend on the size of the neoplasm, the rate of its enlargement, the presence of symptoms, and the overall clinical picture.

Observation tactics are chosen if the lipoma:

• is small;
• does not increase over time;
• does not cause pain or a sensation of pressure;
• does not cause breast asymmetry;
• has typical signs of a benign formation according to the examination results.

In such cases, the doctor determines an individual schedule of follow-up examinations and repeated assessments.

Surgical treatment is considered in the following situations:

• the formation increases in size;
• pain, discomfort, or a sensation of pressure appears;
• a noticeable asymmetry or cosmetic defect is formed;
• the formation causes constant irritation;
• there are doubts regarding its benign nature according to the diagnostic results.

In these cases, removal of the breast lipoma is the most predictable method of treatment, as it allows elimination of the neoplasm and clarification of its structure according to the results of histological analysis.

Main methods of surgical treatment:

1. Enucleation (exfoliation of the lipoma). A minimally invasive intervention during which the formation itself is removed together with the capsule. The surrounding tissues are preserved as much as possible. The method is used for clearly demarcated lipomas of small or medium size.
2. Sectoral resection of the breast. It is performed in cases of large formations, deep location, or in the presence of diagnostic doubts. Together with the fatty tumor, a small area of adjacent tissues is removed. This approach allows complete elimination of the formation and ensures the radical nature of the intervention.

The duration of recovery depends on the extent of the intervention and the individual characteristics of the body. In most cases, patients quickly return to their usual lifestyle.

The cost of treatment depends on the chosen tactics — the possibility of dynamic observation or the need for surgical intervention. You can preliminarily ознакомиться with the prices for consultations and other medical services here. More detailed information regarding the program and the cost of treatment will be provided by the doctor during the initial consultation.

At the clinic «Oxford Medical», modern methods of diagnosis and treatment of breast lipoma are applied, taking into account the individual characteristics of each patient. To receive a professional consultation and determine the optimal tactics, you can make an appointment with a mammologist at a time convenient for you.