Spontaneous infarction of breast fibroadenoma unrelated to any known risk factor: A case report

Introduction and importance: Fibroadenoma is one of the most common benign breast neoplasms, primarily affecting adolescents and young women. Infarction is uncommon in fibroadenomas, and when it occurs, it is usually associated with pregnancy or lactation, as well as FNA. We present a case of spontaneous infarction of breast fibroadenoma that was unrelated to the aforementioned risk factors and occurred outside of pregnancy and lactation.

Case presentation: A 22-year-old female presented with painful left breast lump with a sudden increase in size for 1 week duration. Physical examination revealed an irregular, well-defined, and mobile mass in the left breast measuring 5 cm × 4 cm. The mass was firm in consistency and showed tenderness. The clinical diagnosis of benign fibroadenoma of the breast was made and confirmed radiologically. A biopsy was planned. Microscopical examination showed pictures consistent with spontaneous infarction of benign fibroadenoma of the breast.

Clinical discussion: One case of infarcted fibroadenoma was diagnosed after one excision biopsy. No preceding fine-needle aspiration biopsy was performed in this case, nor was the patient pregnant or lactating at the time of the diagnosis.

Conclusion: Spontaneous infarction within fibroadenoma is a rare phenomenon in young females. The presence of painful lumps in fibroadenoma patients should be cautiously interpreted and diagnosed.