Een vrouw met een pijnlijke zwelling in de borst

Background

A hibernoma is a rare benign lipomatous tumour, consisting of brown and white fat cells. In general, a hibernoma is an asymptomatic swelling that increases slowly in size, but it can sometimes cause pain.

Case description

A 62-year-old woman presented at the breast clinic with a painful swelling in the right breast that was increasing in size. Radiological examination initially suggested a hamartoma. However, on the basis of histological examination of a biopsy, the diagnosis of hibernoma was made. The hibernoma was removed surgically.

Conclusion

A hibernoma of the breast can grow to such a size that pain can arise due to compression of the mammary parenchyma. Surgical resection is only indicated if the hibernoma causes symptoms or for cosmetic reasons.

Conflict of interest and financial support: none declared.