🌿 Folk Prescriptions

The breast lump caused by fibroadenoma should be differentiated from other diseases presenting primarily with breast lumps, such as mammary hyperplasia, breast cysts, and breast cancer.
(1) Differentiation between fibroadenoma and mammary hyperplasia: Both may present with breast lumps, single or multiple, firm in consistency. However, fibroadenomas are more commonly unilateral and solitary, round or oval in shape, well-defined borders, high mobility, painless, and unrelated to menstrual cycles; they typically occur in individuals under 30 years old. Mammary hyperplasia lumps are more frequently bilateral and multiple, presenting as nodular, patchy, or granular masses, with softer or firm consistency. Lumps are often painful and tender, and their size fluctuates with the menstrual cycle—breast fullness increases before menstruation and improves afterward. This condition is more common in women over 30. Auxiliary examinations such as mammography may aid differentiation: fibroadenomas typically show uniform round or oval shadows with a surrounding clear halo, helping distinguish them from mammary hyperplasia.
(2) Differentiation between fibroadenoma and breast cyst: Both present with painless breast lumps, usually unilateral and solitary, well-defined borders, smooth surface. However, fibroadenoma lumps are slightly firmer than cysts, lack a cystic sensation, have greater mobility, and are most common in women aged 18–25. Breast milk cysts exhibit a cystic sensation and less mobility, commonly occurring during pregnancy or lactation. Simple breast cysts are associated with additional features of mammary hyperplasia. Fine-needle aspiration can help differentiate: fibroadenomas yield solid material without fluid, whereas cysts release milk-like or serous fluid.
(3) Differentiation between fibroadenoma and breast cancer: Both may present with painless, solitary breast lumps. Fibroadenoma lumps are typically round or oval, firm, smooth-surfaced, well-defined, highly mobile, grow slowly, commonly measuring 1–3 cm, and exceed 5 cm rarely. Axillary lymph nodes on the same side remain normal, and the condition is more common in those under 30. Breast cancer lumps may be round or oval, or irregular in shape, hard as stone, uneven surface, poor mobility, prone to adhesion with skin and surrounding tissues, and grow rapidly—sometimes expanding uncontrollably. Axillary lymph nodes on the same side are often enlarged. This condition is more common in individuals over 35, especially middle-aged and elderly women. Mammography reveals fibroadenomas as uniform round or oval shadows with a surrounding clear halo; breast cancer shows mass shadows, fine calcifications, abnormal vascular patterns, and spiculation. Needle aspiration cytology and histopathological biopsy can provide definitive histological evidence for differentiation.
<Breast>