You are leading a group presentation on fibrocystic disease of the breast to a group of young women

Question

a. Compare and contrast fibrocystic breast disease and fibroadenoma.
b. What are the similarities and differences?
c. What are the age groups involved?
d. Are they precursors to cancer?

Answer 1

Students' answers should include the following:
a. Fibrocystic disease of the breast is also known as chronic mastitis or a benign condition of the breast affecting women 30 to 50 years of age.
Fibroadenoma is a solid, benign breast mass of glandular and connective tissue; occurs in women during late adolescence and early adulthood but occasionally is found in older women
b. Fibrocystic disease results from changes in the breast tissue from hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle.
Fibroadenoma occurs in late adolescence or early adulthood, occasionally older women
c. Fibrocystic disease affects women between the ages of 30 and 50 years; fibroadenoma affects women in late adolescence to early adulthood
d. Neither are precursors to cancer
In fibrocystic disease of the breast, usually the cysts grow in size in one or both breasts.
Usually produce no symptoms; if symptomatic, usually just before menstruation, becoming larger before menstruation
Fibroadenoma is usually painless, nontender lump in the breast, often encapsulated
Ultrasound can reveal fibroadenoma with greater results than mammography.
May be excised