Excision of a Benign Breast Lump
Sometimes benign (non-cancerous) breast lumps are surgically removed from the breast. The most common type of benign breast lump removed is a fibroadenoma. Whilst generally harmless, fibroadenomas can be removed when they are painful, causing other problems for the patient, or are very large. They are usually removed with minimal surrounding normal breast tissue (or margin).
Surgery is performed under general anaesthetic as a day case. Surgery will typically take an hour or less. There may be pain but usually this is not severe, and pain relief will be given to you prior to discharge from hospital. Bruising and tenderness of the breast is common.
Scars are unavoidable with all surgery. Where possible they are placed at the edge of the areola, or in the skin crease underneath the breast though this depends on the location of the lump. In most patients scars fade to a pale white line by 9-12 months, though an individual scar is very much dependant on a patient’s skin type. Dr Adams places great emphasis on the appearance of the breast after surgery but some changes can occur.