Kim, I'm speaking primarily from personal experience and knowledge gained through that. My understanding that the diagnosis would be made via biopsy to rule out carcinoma. Fibroadenomas are, in simple terms, just fibrous tissue. The location of mine causes plugged ducts if I am not careful about draining the breast when the baby's not nursing as much on that side. I've had the diagnosis (by aspiration to rule out a cyst, followed by needle biopsy while breastfeeding) for about 7 1/2 years now. Second and third opinions gave me confidence in waiting until my breastfeeding career is finished to have it removed and, even then, it will be up to me. I realize that tumor information is constantly changing and that there may be some evidence that is strong enough to say "remove it", based on her particular diagnosis and situation. *Even if* I had it removed tomorrow, I would not wean my child. Even if she cold-turkey weans today, she may have milk in that breast for months. "Worst case" scenario would be to dry up on the side with the fibroadenoma and nurse exclusively on the other. Meanwhile, I keep the affected breast drained, take lecithin like crazy for my personal tendency to plugged ducts and make sure that I enact early measures to prevent mastitis when I find myself set up for that. Again, this is not the literature review on the subject, but my personal experience and decisions after doing the literature search. One article that is simple enough for most non-healthcare professional mothers is found at: http://www.lalecheleague.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVDecJan03p136.html Can't type great with one hand and need to drain that "affected breast" right now! <g> Rebecca DeYoung Daniels, MBA, RD, LD, IBCLC *and* MOM to 5 *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html