Frequently cysts enlarge and become tender or painful just before the menstrual period. Some cysts cannot be felt while others are large in size. This is a common benign breast lump made up of both fibrous and glandular tissue. Usually fibroadenomas are round, moveable and feel rubbery. They occur in women at any age but are more common in young adulthood and are more common in African American women.
Fibroadenomas have a benign appearance on mammography.
Fine needle aspiration or ultrasound may be used to further evaluate these lumps. Most surgeons prefer to surgically remove fibroadenomas to verify that the lump is benign. Women taking birth control pills or other medications such as sedatives or tranquilizers may have a nipple discharge. Others with fibrocystic changes may experience a sticky discharge that is brown or green. Nipple discharge can also be caused by an infection and may require antibiotics.