Giant Multilobulated Breast Mass, an Uncommon Manifestation of Fibroadenoma: A Case Study and Review of the Literature

• John Adi Ashindoitiang

  Department of Surgery, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria

• Theophilus Ipeh Ugbem

  Department of Pathology, University of Calabar and University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria

• Joseph Esien Kooffreh

  Department of Surgery, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria

• Maurice Efana Asuquo

  Department of Surgery, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria

A giant multilobulated breast mass is a rare and significant presentation of fibroadenoma characterized by their considerable size, exceeding 5cm and their rapid progression, which frequently results in notable breast distortion. It can cause symptoms such as stretching of the skin with multiple dilated veins, nipple changes and even ulceration that may mimic malignancy. Presented is a case involving a 33-year-old woman with a giant multilobulated breast mass of 6 years duration noticed during lactation. Clinical, imaging and histological evaluation revealed a definitive diagnosis of a giant fibroadenoma. She was offered surgical enucleation with satisfactory outcome. Giant fibroadenoma is rare and may be noticed during lactation simulating malignancy. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and lactation can stimulate the growth of fibroadenoma.Timely histopathological validation through immunohistochemistry is crucial to prevent the unnecessary treatment of benign lesions that resemble malignant condition. Surgical intervention with enucleation is the treatment choice for this benign disease and timely surgical intervention is recommended for the avoidance of complications that may be associated with late presentation of giant lesions.

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