What is the recommended follow-up protocol for patients diagnosed with a fibroadenoma?

Recommended follow-up protocol for patients diagnosed with a fibroadenoma:

Fibroadenomas are benign breast lesions, and the usual management involves clinical and imaging follow-up rather than immediate intervention unless there are suspicious features.

Typically, after diagnosis (often by ultrasound and/or core biopsy), patients are offered routine breast surveillance according to national breast screening guidelines, which generally means no additional specific follow-up beyond routine screening unless changes occur.

If the fibroadenoma is stable and asymptomatic, discharge to routine breast screening is appropriate.

However, if there are changes in size, symptoms, or clinical concern, further imaging or biopsy may be warranted.

There is no specific recommendation for intensive surveillance or MRI for fibroadenomas unless the patient is at high risk of breast cancer due to family history or genetic factors, in which case surveillance follows familial breast cancer guidelines.

Therefore, the follow-up protocol for fibroadenoma is generally conservative, involving routine breast screening and clinical review if changes occur.

References: This approach aligns with NICE guidance on breast lesions and surveillance, which emphasises routine screening and risk-based surveillance rather than specific follow-up for benign lesions like fibroadenoma ¹.