Axillary Fibroadenoma: An Unusual Clinical Presentation

Cureus. 2024 Nov 18;16(11):e73888. doi: 10.7759/cureus.73888. eCollection 2024 Nov.

Abstract

Axillary swellings, particularly in women, often raise suspicion due to the high association of such swellings with breast carcinoma manifesting as metastatic lymph node involvement. Tuberculous lymphadenopathy is one of the primary diagnoses in India. Fibroadenomas are common benign breast tumors, but their occurrence in the axilla, arising from ectopic breast tissue (EBT), is rare and may present a diagnostic challenge. This report presents a case of a patient with axillary swelling, initially suspected to be isolated lymphadenopathy, which was later diagnosed as a fibroadenoma. The case highlights the clinical significance of swelling in the axilla, such as ectopic breast tissue, which undergoes physiological changes similar to those of normal breast tissue. Additionally, pathological changes can occur in this tissue, making diagnosis challenging. Swelling in the axilla can pose a diagnostic dilemma, and pathologies associated with ectopic breast tissue require careful consideration.

Keywords: axilla; axillary swelling; benign breast tumor; case report; ectopic breast tissue; fibroadenoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports