N119

BREAST - Giant fibroadenoma

Description
This very large tumour can be seen to be circumscribed and to show overall a nodular pattern as can be seen when viewed from the side. The tumour appears to be encroaching upon although not invading the nipple, and at 1 point on the skin surface there is a shallow ulcer approximately 1.5 cm long and 0.5 cm wide. This is presumably due to pressure interfering with the blood supply to the skin in that area. The cut surface has a brownish colouration which is probably artifact, the result of age. The cut surface shows a general whorled pattern with a number of cystic areas ranging in size from less than 1 mm to 1 mm at the periphery which is some 4 x 1 cm. These cystic areas are lined by epithelium and form the "adenomatous" part of the fibroadenoma. The whorled solid areas are formed by proliferating fibrous tissue. This is a very old specimen, most of the lesions of this nature seen today are no more than 2-3 cm in size.