Fibrocystic mastopathy: symptoms of the disease and methods of treatment

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Fibrocystic mastopathy (FCM) is a benign disease, the main symptom of which is pathological changes in mammary gland tissue in the form of disturbances in the ratio of connective tissue and epithelial components.

This disease can occur in women of any age - both in adolescence and during menopause.

Progesterone deficiency, increased production of estrogen, androgen can provoke a disease, about treatment, diagnostic methods, the types of which you will learn from the article.

Symptoms and signs

The following signs will help to suspect the presence of FCM, including bilateral ones, which can manifest themselves either individually or all together:

• As a result of self-examination, areas of breast tissue compaction that do not have clear boundaries are identified.
• The most important symptom is pain, which can be aching, dull against a background of discomfort and a feeling of heaviness. It can be periodic, constant, but always has a connection with the menstrual cycle. 10% of patients do not feel pain at all, although the changes in the mammary glands are the same as in women experiencing discomfort.
• Swelling and swelling of the breast, while the volume may increase by 15-20 percent. Mastodynia (increased sensitivity) and mastalgia (pain) are accompanied by flatulence, migraine, and a feeling of fullness in the abdominal area. Emotionally, the woman becomes restless and irritable. This set of symptoms, called premenstrual syndrome, no longer bothers the girl after the onset of menstruation.
• Discharge from the nipples, which appears involuntarily when pressed, has a clear, whitish, brown or greenish tint. The most dangerous discharge is considered to be bloody.
• Enlarged axillary lymph nodes, which occurs in 10 percent of patients diagnosed with diffuse FCM.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis can only be made by a qualified doctor. However, the first warning signs in the form of increasing constant pain and breast condition will let the woman know that something is not happening as expected.

Diagnostics includes the following methods: palpation, initial examination, ultrasound diagnosis of glandular tissue, mammography.

Pay attention to the appearance of the breasts, signs of enlargement, asymmetry, the condition and location of the nipples, the color of the halos, and the presence of discharge.

Diffuse FCM

At the first concern in the breast area, every woman must consult a doctor to begin treatment of the disease at an early stage. To make a diagnosis based on the patient’s complaints, an additional examination is prescribed:

• Ultrasound of the mammary glands - reveals the presence of formed cysts, changes of various etymologies in the tissues.
• Palpation - examining the breast with your hands, identifying lumps.
• Nipple swab – if there is discharge from the nipple, a test is prescribed to determine the nature of the disease.
• Mammogram - x-ray of the breasts to determine the form of mastopathy, areas of compaction, and the presence of tumors.
• Study of liver enzymes - to determine the normal functioning of the organ.
• Consultation with an endocrinologist - this doctor, if necessary, will prescribe a test of thyroid hormones.
• Blood test for hormones.
• Puncture of the mammary gland is the extraction of cells from a formed node with a syringe for their examination under a microscope, to exclude the presence of cancer.
• Echography allows one to evaluate the structure of the glands, regardless of the type of structure, and allows for repeated dynamic monitoring among women of all age groups.

Nodular form of the disease

Due to the similarity of breast cancer and nodular mastopathy, it is necessary to conduct a thorough examination by a mammologist using radiological, clinical, morphological, cytological, and echographic methods. In the case of nodular mastopathy, foci of compaction are identified that have clear boundaries, a lobed, smooth or granular surface. With an intraductal location, pressure on the isola is accompanied by discharge of different colors and consistency.

During plain mammography, zones of intense uniform darkening, calcifications, oval shadows of cysts, and fibrous strands may be detected on radiographs.

The combination of different forms of the disease gives a bright picture, which is characterized by multiple darkened areas, restructuring of the structure of the gland, areas of clearing of different shapes and sizes, the presence of individual shadows of fibroadenomas, strands of connective tissue, and cysts.

If a cyst is detected, a puncture with cytological examination is performed, followed by pneumocystography. The latter is necessary to control the completeness of emptying of the formation, detection of tumors, and intracystic hyperplastic formations.

If intraductal changes are suspected, ductography is performed. It is determined by the introduction of contrast into the ducts, their expansion, deformation, cystic cavities, and the deposition of calcium salts.

Ultrasound of the glands with Dopplerography allows one to judge the size, location, vascularization of formations, and their structure.

ICD-10 code

ICD-10 is the international classification of diseases, tenth revision (based on Wikipedia). In Russia, it has been adopted as a single regulatory document in order to take into account the reasons for the population’s appeal, death, and morbidity. According to the classification, mastopathy is included in the section Benign mammary dysplasia N60:

• N60.0 – solitary cyst;
• N60.1 – diffuse cystic mastopathy;
• N60.2 – fibroadenosis;
• N60.3 – fibrosclerosis;
• N60.4 – ectasia of the mammary gland ducts;
• N60.8 – other benign dysplasias;
• N60.9 – benign dysplasia, unspecified.

Possible reasons for the appearance

The main reason for the development of FCM lies in changes in hormonal levels, which are reflected in the menstrual cycle. Such hormonal variability primarily manifests itself through disruption of the ovarian-menstrual cycle, which resolves on its own. Disturbances in the functioning of hormones can manifest themselves under the guise of premenstrual syndrome, which causes a lot of difficulties and worries for a woman. Fibrocystic mastopathy means that periodic disorders have become permanent, making the breast a vulnerable, weak link.

The cause of the disease may lie in the condition of the spine, since the regulation of metabolic processes in the chest occurs from the thoracic spinal region. The next factor that can trigger the disease is an imbalance of water balance.

If a woman does not have the habit of drinking water regularly, then the body is in a state of water starvation, and this leads to changes in hormonal levels.

Mastopathy can be triggered by chronic stress, endocrine diseases, problems of the reproductive organs, and endometriosis.

How to treat FCM

Thanks to many years of experience in studying this disease, mammologists have several methods of treating FCM at their disposal.

To determine a specific program to get rid of the pathology, you should conduct a full examination, eliminate the cause of hormonal imbalance, and restore the functioning of the nervous system.

When treating diffuse mastopathy, large dosages of vitamins are recommended to activate the immune system, and homeopathic medicines to normalize liver function.

Drug treatment with drugs

Drug treatment includes hormonal and non-hormonal. The first type is necessary to regulate cyclicity in the system, including the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovaries, since this normalizes hormonal levels by influencing gland tissue. The second type of treatment stops the manifestations of FCM in its mild form.

Non-hormonal conservative therapy includes the following drugs:

• Preparations containing iodine (“Klamin”, “Iodomarin”, “Iodine-active”), which regulate the functioning of the thyroid gland, reduce tissue proliferation.
• Vitamins B, A, E, C improve the functioning of the liver, which takes part in hormonal metabolism.
• NSAIDs (Nimika, Nise, Diclofenac tablets) relieve pain.
• Enzyme medications (Wobenzym, Mulsal, Lidaza) have an immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, decongestant, and analgesic effect.
• Calming and sedatives for treatment are indicated for psychological reasons that caused mastopathy. At the initial stage, tincture of motherwort and valerian is taken.
• Homeopathic remedies (Cyclodinone, Remens, Mastodinon) lower prolactin levels, eliminating its excessive production. Sometimes they are prescribed for prevention.
• Herbal medicine enhances the effect of medications, calms the nervous system, and relieves residual effects.

Treatment with folk remedies - recipes with herbs, infusions

If multiple lumps appear in the chest, easily palpable in the outer parts, in the center, this indicates the presence of diffuse FCM. At the initial stage, these changes are unstable and weakly expressed, but if left untreated, the seals become rough. For diffuse mastopathy, the use of folk remedies is allowed. The following recipes may help:

• Alcohol tincture of boron uterus fights tumors, normalizes metabolism, relieves inflammation in the bladder, and restores thyroid function. Judging by the reviews, this is an effective remedy. The tincture should be taken a teaspoon twice a day before meals for a month. During menstruation you need to take a break.
• You can treat with cabbage leaves. At night, a cabbage leaf is applied to the chest as a compress. The procedure is repeated until the seals completely disappear.
• Burdock juice helps get rid of seals. The squeezed juice should be taken one tablespoon three times a day for two months.
• Recipe for a medicine from celandine: grind a spoonful of dry herbs to a powder, mix with two tablespoons of melted butter, place the resulting ointment in a water bath, leave for 10 minutes, apply to the affected areas once a day until the seals disappear.
• Useful collection: chop and mix one part of valerian root, 2 parts of plantain leaves, 2 parts of St. John's wort herb, 3 parts of string herb. Pour a tablespoon of the mixture with a glass of boiling water, leave for 40 minutes. Take 2 tablespoons after meals three times a day for a month.
• Grind blue or gray clay, pour warm water until it completely covers it. Let it brew for several hours. The consistency should be similar to thick sour cream. Apply the mixture in a 2 cm layer on the chest on cellophane, wrap it with a warm scarf, and wash it off in the morning. The course of treatment is prescribed by a herbalist.

Hormone therapy

Hormonal treatment of FCM is aimed at stabilizing breast tissue and is used after studying the hormone status. The following drugs are used:

• Progestogens (Norethisterone, Duphaston, Utrozhestan, Progestogel-gel for rubbing the breast) are used in the second phase of menstruation. Reduce chest discomfort and pain.
• Estrogen-gestagen contraceptives (Marvelon, Zhanine) are prescribed for people under 35 years of age in the absence of ovulation or luteal phase disturbance. Designed to normalize various fluctuations in sex hormones.
• Prolactin production inhibitors (Parlodel) are used when excessive secretion of the hormone is detected.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapeutic procedures for patients undergoing FCM treatment are prescribed very rarely. This is due to the fact that this disease is considered a contraindication to thermal manipulation. Exceptions to the rules include treatment methods such as mud baths, electrophoresis, shock wave therapy, ultrasound therapy, and other procedures.

Surgery – resection

Surgical treatment of FCM is indicated for the nodular form of the disease, which is practically resistant to drug therapy. Indications for surgery are those cases when there is rapid growth of tumors, the presence of severe concomitant diseases that do not allow long-term drug treatment, the presence of atypical cells in biopsy samples, the ineffectiveness of other methods, and a high probability of transformation into a cancerous tumor.

In most cases, sectoral resection is performed. This operation involves removing a sector of the gland that is affected by nodes and cysts.

The surgical procedure lasts about 40 minutes and is performed under general anesthesia.

If necessary, after the operation, drug therapy is prescribed: antibacterial drugs are prescribed, in addition - medications to stimulate the immune system, normalize the blood count, and complexes of vitamins and minerals.

Special diet

Special nutrition in the treatment of mastopathy involves eating certain healthy foods and limiting harmful ones. In addition to the contents of the daily menu, you should follow the correct regimen: eat at least five times a day at the same time. During the meal, do not be nervous, distance yourself from irritants, learn to relax. The following products have a positive effect on the general condition and slow down the growth of connective tissues:

• Fiber – walnuts, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, beets, carrots, apples.
• Legumes reduce excessive estrogen production.
• Thanks to coenzymes, spinach and broccoli fight tumors.
• Tomatoes, brewer's yeast, and Brazil nuts have a beneficial effect on the absorption of iodine and protect against the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation.
• Seaweed, sardines, mackerel, herring and salmon, shrimp, mussels, and squid contain essential iodine.
• Cottage cheese, celery, dried apricots, hard cheeses, sesame seeds, almonds contain calcium.
• All dairy products are healthy.
• White and green tea, due to catechin, activate the removal of toxins and sugar.

To reduce the risk of developing cysts, it is necessary to completely avoid products that cause an increase in the secretion of female sex hormones: semolina, premium flour products, canned food, pickles, corn oil, confectionery, margarine, mayonnaise, carbonated water, smoked meats, fatty foods, black tea, coffee, white cabbage.

Find out more about breast omastopathy - what it is, what to do with such a diagnosis.

Forecast and Cautions

As a rule, mastopathy is not prone to complications. Proliferative and nodular forms of the disease can become malignant over time, turning into breast cancer. However, with proper and timely treatment, the prognosis is favorable. FCM therapy involves changes in lifestyle, which include the following contraindications:

• You cannot sunbathe or sunbathe. The sun's rays cause the production of estrogen, making breast tissue sensitive and receptive.
• It is necessary to avoid visiting bathhouses and saunas.
• Physiotherapy is contraindicated; massage is strictly prohibited in the treatment of mastopathy, as this can damage the breast tissue.
• Hypothermia, which will aggravate the inflammatory process, should not be allowed.
• FCM can behave unpredictably during pregnancy, so many doctors advise women not to take risks, but some decide to become a mother. There are no problems with natural fertilization, but some people manage to get pregnant only with the help of modern medical progress. It is worth knowing that in vitro fertilization or IVF is fraught with danger for fibrocystic mastopathy, since this procedure requires preparation, including hormonal stimulating therapy for the implantation of eggs in the female body. The latter can cause the development of a tumor in the breast. Sometimes it is recommended to perform surgery to remove mastopathy before IVF to prevent it from becoming malignant.

Also read what to do if you are diagnosed with mastopathy - symptoms, treatment and prevention of the disease.

Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials in the article do not encourage self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and give treatment recommendations based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

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Source: https://sovets.net/3687-fibrozno-kistoznaya-mastopatiya-simptomy-i-lechenie.html

Fibrocystic mastopathy

Diseases

Fibrocystic mastopathy is considered one of the most common diseases of the mammary glands. This problem causes changes in breast tissue. The disease usually occurs in women aged 20 to 50 years. The disease is considered a precancerous condition and therefore requires urgent qualified treatment. The symptoms of mastopathy are pronounced, so diagnosing it is not difficult. With the disease, a woman feels aching pain in the mammary glands, which intensifies in the second half of the menstrual cycle. In addition, the patient may experience discharge from the nipples, heaviness in the chest and a feeling of fullness.

The disease always occurs against the background of a hormonal imbalance. A change in the amount of progesterone provokes the proliferation of connective and glandular breast tissue. Such problems can be caused by external factors or various diseases. The main causes of fibrocystic mastopathy are:

• frequent abortions;
• thyroid diseases;
• taking hormonal contraceptives;
• diabetes;
• liver diseases;
• refusal to breastfeed;
• gynecological diseases (inflammation or ovarian dysfunction).

Quite often the problem arises against the background of nervous disorders. Bad habits, irregular sex life or lack thereof also contribute to the development of the disease.

Fibrocystic mastopathy provokes the formation of nodules and compactions of various sizes. They can appear on one breast or on both.

A mammologist will help you cope with the disease. However, in most cases, fibrocystic mastopathy is detected

during a routine examination of the patient. The doctor palpates the mammary glands and, if tumors are detected, issues a referral to a mammologist. At the first appointment, the doctor also examines the breast, assesses its size and shape. The specialist also asks the patient:

Answers to these questions will help the doctor quickly identify the cause of the pathology. In addition, they will be used during the development of a treatment regimen.

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Source: https://bolezni.zdorov.online/mammologija/mastopatiya/fibrokistoznaya/

What do we know about fibrocystic mastopathy?

According to statistics, currently approximately 70% of women show signs of mastopathy. Its symptoms can bother both very young girls and older women. However, with age, the risk of getting sick becomes significantly higher. What kind of disease is this? Fibrocystic mastopathy is a disease in which pathological changes in the tissue of the mammary glands are observed. It can affect either one or both glands; in the latter case, it is customary to speak of a bilateral form of the disease.

Mechanism of the disease

Fibrocystic mastopathy appears when the amount of estrogen in the patient’s body begins to exceed the amount of progesterone. Excess prolactin can also lead to the appearance of the disease, since proliferative processes in the breast, the formation of connective tissue and the expansion of ducts depend on this hormone.

The impetus for the development of the disease can be the following factors (usually a combination of two or three is necessary):

• heredity;
• gynecological diseases;
• lack of iodine in the patient’s body;
• endocrinological pathologies;
• mammary gland injuries;
• abortions;
• absence of labor or late labor;
• bad habits;
• liver diseases;
• exposure to sunlight;
• constant stress;
• lack of regular sex life.

Classification of the disease

Mastopathy affects women of any age. In teenage girls, the diffuse type of the disease is more often diagnosed. In women over 35 years of age, the risk of developing single large cysts increases.

Any pathological changes in the glands are usually found in the upper outer quadrant of the breast, which is explained by the peculiarities of its structure and blood supply.

It is customary to distinguish several types of this disease:

• cystic mastopathy (cysts form in the breast tissue - formations that contain fluid inside);
• fibrous mastopathy (in this case there is a proliferation of connective tissue);
• diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy (glandular and connective tissue grows in the glands, multiple compactions form);
• nodular mastopathy (single lumps appear in the breast, the proliferation of connective and glandular tissue is localized in certain areas of the glands).

Also, doctors often resort to the following classification of the disease:

• Diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy with a predominance of the fibrous component. In such patients, swelling of the mammary glands is observed, while the interlobular connecting septa increase and put pressure on the surrounding tissue. The lumens of the ducts narrow and can become completely overgrown.
• Diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy with a predominance of the cystic component. One or more cavities containing liquid contents are palpated in the breast tissue. They are separated from surrounding tissues and are elastic.
• Diffuse mastopathy with a predominance of the glandular component. This form is considered the most favorable. It is characterized by swelling of the breast and proliferation of glandular tissue.
• Mixed form of the disease. With this form of the disease, the number of glandular lobules increases, and the growth of connective tissue interlobar septa is diagnosed.
• Bilateral fibrous mastopathy;
• Sclerosing adenosis and focal fibrous mastopathy.

In addition, in a number of women (usually during menopause), the glandular tissue of the breast may be replaced by connective and fatty tissue, which is explained by a decrease in the body's production of hormones. In this case, mammologists talk about fibrofatty mastopathy. This form is not a pathology, but women need to regularly visit a doctor and have a mammogram.

Some experts prefer to use a classification of the disease based on the degree of its activity. In this case, there are three stages:

1. The patient is diagnosed with fibrocystic mastopathy, but there is no epithelial proliferation.
2. A woman suffers from fibrocystic mastopathy, with proliferative processes occurring in the glands.
3. The proliferating epithelium found in the glands of patients becomes atypical.

The last two forms of the disease are considered a precancerous condition. To prevent the disease from degenerating into cancer, timely and accurate diagnosis is necessary.

Signs of illness

There are several characteristic symptoms of this disease:

• Pain. This symptom is the main one for mastopathy. However, some women (no more than 15%) may experience no discomfort. With fibrocystic mastopathy, pain can radiate to the armpit, arm, or under the shoulder blade.
• The appearance of compactions. Depending on the form of the disease, compactions that do not have clear boundaries or cysts that have an elastic consistency and are not fused with nearby tissues may be found in the breast tissue. In many cases, patients experience formations of both types simultaneously. They are usually multiple and can occur in both glands. Before menstruation they increase, and after their end they decrease or disappear.
• Swelling of the mammary glands, the appearance of a feeling of fullness and swelling in them.
• Enlarged axillary lymph nodes.
• Nipple discharge. Depending on the stage of the disease, their color can vary from clear or milky to brown or greenish.
• Changing the appearance of the nipple. Its retraction, the appearance of cracks.

Diagnosis of mastopathy

To prescribe adequate treatment, the doctor first prescribes a number of examinations to the patient:

• Visual inspection.
• Mammography.
• Ultrasound of the mammary glands. This study is recommended to be performed on days 5-7 from the beginning of menstruation.
• Blood test for hormones and tumor markers.
• Ductography.
• Biopsy followed by cytological examination of the obtained material.
• Consultation with a psychologist, gynecologist, endocrinologist.
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs (if necessary).

Means for the treatment of mastopathy

There are no identical schemes for combating mastopathy: in each specific case, the doctor selects the treatment that is suitable for this particular patient. Moreover, the mammologist takes into account the patient’s age, the form of the disease, the presence of concomitant diseases, and the causes of mastopathy. And it is these factors that determine what treatment will be prescribed.

To combat fibrocystic mastopathy, a fairly wide range of drugs is used:

• Vitamins A, E, C, group B. Treatment with vitamins normalizes liver function.
• Homeopathic remedies.
• Medicines that improve liver function (“Karsil”, “Essentiale”, “Legalon”).
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It should be noted that treatment with such drugs should be short-term.
• Medicines that stimulate the patient’s immune system (tinctures of ginseng, eleutherococcus).
• Diuretics. One of the common symptoms of the disease is swelling. To combat it, doctors usually prescribe mild diuretics, such as herbal decoctions or herbal teas.
• Iodine preparations.
• Hormonal agents. As already mentioned, the cause of the disease is hormonal imbalance, so treatment of mastopathy is rarely complete without taking hormonal medications. Usually, the doctor prescribes medications whose action is aimed at reducing the activity of estrogen, and treatment with oral contraceptives is also widespread. If prolactin levels are elevated, a mammologist may suggest therapy using inhibitors of the secretion of this hormone.
• Traditional medicine. Treatment with traditional medicine is possible only after prior consultation with the attending physician. It includes both various infusions and decoctions intended for oral administration, as well as compresses and ointments used externally.

Physiotherapeutic procedures (magnet, laser, etc.) have shown good results as an aid in the treatment of mastopathy.

Doctors advise women suffering from this disease to give up bad habits and lead a healthy lifestyle.

It helps to cope with the disease and following a certain diet. To reduce the symptoms of fibrocystic mastopathy, you need to give up coffee, tea and chocolate, and limit salt intake. In your daily diet, emphasis should be placed on foods rich in fiber.

If treatment for nodular mastopathy does not bring results, the doctor may suggest surgery, which is also used if oncology is suspected. The material obtained during the operation must be analyzed.

However, it should be noted that the operation does not eliminate the causes that led to the disease, and the altered tissues are not completely eliminated.

That is why after surgery the patient must undergo a course of conservative therapy.

It's no secret that every woman wants to be healthy and beautiful.

To achieve this goal, you need to be attentive to your health, do not neglect monthly breast examinations, periodically visit a mammologist and promptly treat any diseases.

Source: http://VashMammolog.ru/mastopatiya/fibrokistoznaya-mastopatiya.html

Fibrocystic mastopathy: diagnostic features

Fibrocystic mastopathy is a disease in which pathological benign lesions of different structures appear in the breast tissue. In 1984, the World Health Organization approved a nosological classification according to which this pathological condition is called fibrocystic (fibrocystic) disease. Today, this pathology is one of the most pressing problems for women around the world.

As we have already said, fibrocystic mastopathy is a disease characterized by pathological proliferation of breast tissue, due to which compacted elements appear in it. Quite often, this pathology occurs without any clinical manifestations and is discovered by chance during a routine examination.

There are millions of women worldwide suffering from fibrocystic mastopathy. According to statistics, this pathological process is diagnosed in approximately 25 percent of women under the age of thirty.

After forty years, the incidence of this disease increases significantly and reaches 60 percent.

It is interesting that more than 70 percent of patients with this diagnosis have concomitant gynecological pathologies.

In the vast majority of cases, mastopathy has a favorable prognosis and, with properly selected therapy, regresses quite quickly. However, sometimes after conservative therapy, relapses of this disease are observed.

This pathology can be complicated by secondary infection of breast tissue with the subsequent appearance of purulent inflammatory foci in it.

In addition, certain forms of mastopathy are considered as a predisposing factor for the occurrence of malignant neoplasms.

Scientists have differing opinions as to why fibrocystic mastopathy develops. However, to date it has been possible to prove the direct relationship of this pathology with the hormonal status of a woman.

The leading role in the formation of this disease is given to a decrease in the level of progesterone with a simultaneous increase in the level of estrogen in the body. With an excess of estrogens, excessively active proliferation of epithelial cells and connective tissue components is observed.

Another important hormone that is directly involved in the development of mastopathy is prolactin. As its level increases, the sensitivity of breast tissue to estrogen increases.

The following are considered as indirect causes for the occurrence of fibrocystic mastopathy:

• Inflammatory pathologies of gynecological organs;
• Selection of hormonal contraceptives without consulting a doctor;
• No pregnancy or childbirth before age 30;
• Absence or irregularity of sexual activity;
• Medical or surgical termination of pregnancy;
• Problems with the menstrual cycle;
• Hereditary predisposition;
• Existing disorders of the endocrine system.

Currently, there are two main forms of mastopathy: diffuse and nodular. It is traditionally believed that the diffuse form has a much more favorable prognosis.

It is characterized by the formation of numerous small nodules and cords, more or less evenly distributed throughout the mammary gland. The nodular form, as a rule, arises from the diffuse one.

At the same time, during palpation, individual compacted lesions are detected, which can reach impressive sizes.

We have already said earlier that in the vast majority of cases, fibrocystic mastopathy, especially its diffuse form, is not accompanied by any symptoms and is discovered by chance.

Some patients with this diagnosis indicate chest pain that worsens with palpation, as well as during the premenstrual period. The intensity of the pain syndrome can be very different.

At first, after the end of menstruation, the pain disappears, but then it becomes constant.

Sometimes a sick woman complains of swelling and some swelling of the mammary gland, as well as its increased sensitivity.

Another characteristic, but optional clinical manifestation is pathological discharge from the nipples. The abundance and nature of the discharge varies in each specific case.

The most unfavorable sign is the appearance of bloody discharge, which may indicate the development of a malignant process.

Fibrocystic mastopathy is detected during palpation examination of the mammary gland.

Of the instrumental methods, the leading role is given to mammography (x-ray examination) and ultrasound examination of the mammary glands.

In doubtful cases, magnetic resonance imaging and ductography may be required. If a nodular element is detected, a biopsy is indicated, followed by sending the resulting material for histology.

First of all, with mastopathy it is necessary to correct the hormonal balance. For this purpose, oral contraceptives and drugs aimed at reducing estrogen levels are prescribed. Additionally, vitamin complexes, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain, and herbal medicines are used.

In 2018, scientists from Kazan State Medical University conducted a study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of vitamin D treatment in patients with diffuse mastopathy. As a result, it was found that taking vitamin D in a therapeutic dose and then in a maintenance dose for 6 months contributed to a decrease in the X-ray density of the mammary glands.

In case of nodular mastopathy, the issue of surgical intervention may be decided.

Source: https://MedAboutMe.ru/zdorove/publikacii/stati/sovety_vracha/fibrozno_kistoznaya_mastopatiya_ili_fibrokistoznaya_bolezn/

Fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary gland - symptoms and treatment, drugs

What it is? Fibrocystic mastopathy (FCM or fibroadenomatosis) is a pathological process that develops in the structural tissues of the female breast in the form of rapid cellular proliferation of glandular tissue, forming cystic neoplasms (fluid-filled cavities) or nodular seals in the breast.

Included in the register of benign pathologies. It does not present any difficulties in treatment if diagnosed early, but in advanced cases it can be an intermediate stage in the development of a cancerous tumor.

The disease affects almost half of the female population aged 30 and 50 years.

It develops against the background of hormonal destabilization, provoked by an imbalance of hormones (the predominance of estrogen over insufficient progesterone synthesis), excessive hormonal activity, or its sharp decline or rise, often changing their cyclic level for one reason or another. In connection with this feature, the pathology is also called dishormonal hyperplasia.

• The risk of breast cancer increases by almost a quarter in patients with a history of large cystic formations, the development of hyperplasia, adenosis, or proliferative mastopathy.

Forms and types of fibrocystic mastopathy (signs)

• The clinical picture of damage to the mammary glands in fibrocystic mastopathy can manifest itself in various forms: diffuse, having several subtypes, nodular and non-proliferative.
• Features of diffuse manifestation
• Diffuse damage in FCM is caused by the development of a pathological process that covers the entire breast, manifested by a rather strong proliferation of connective (supporting) tissue structures, forming destructive foci of various shapes.
• As a result of such dysfunction, processes develop that disrupt the structure of the ducts in the mammary glands and destruction in the alveolar-lobular tissues, contributing to the formation of small cystic-cavitary formations.
• The genesis of diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy is associated with a genetic predisposition, and the development of the process is triggered by many negative factors - external nature, the influence of neurohumoral disorders and an imbalance in hormone synthesis. Based on the nature of the structural lesion, several types of this form are distinguished:

• In the form of sclerosing adenosis - with excessive growth of the glandular component in the tissue structures and alveolar-lobular structure of the breast, manifested by its significant enlargement.
• With a dominant growth of fibrous components in the connective tissue structure of the breast (fibroadenomatosis).
• Pathology caused by a single or total lesion of the mammary gland in the form of fibrocystic formations filled with a liquid substance. Manifests itself as multiple tumor-like neoplasms.
• Mixed type - simultaneous damage to connective tissue structures, ducts and lobular alveoli by cystic and fibrous neoplasms. At its core, it is a consequence of a running process. With such manifestations of fibrocystic mastopathy symptoms, treatment is a complex and lengthy process.

The severity of such clinical disorders is defined as minor, moderate or severe. It manifests itself in unilateral localization and bilateral localization - both mammary glands are simultaneously affected.

The disease itself is benign, but in the advanced stage, which turns into nodular pathology, there is a high risk of atypical cellular formations and oncological degeneration.

Signs of nodular FCM

As a rule, the development of nodular FCM is preceded by an advanced and complicated diffuse process, manifested by single or multiple dense nodular formations. Sometimes, nodular FCM is called focal.

A characteristic feature is that in the supine position, the lumps can be felt very rarely or not at all.

Nodes along the periphery of the chest usually do not tend to enlarge. The pain may be slight or not noticeable at all. Pathology is detected, usually during a random examination. And its manifestation can be purely individual.

Form of non-proliferative FCM

This term denotes a pathology of the mammary glands that does not have characteristic signs of excessive growth of glandular tissue in the breast with the formation of neoplasms and signs of intense cellular mitosis.

At the same time, no neoplasms are noted; significant or localized swelling of the breast is possible. Non-proliferative diffuse cystic mastopathy can be successfully treated with proper therapy.

Symptoms of fibrocystic mastopathy of the breast

The main symptoms of fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary gland are manifested by painful seals and clear discharge from the ducts of the gland. Palpation and palpation of the chest reveals compacted areas with small and large formations.

Pain syndrome differs individually in each specific case. Pain occurs spontaneously or appears in response to touch.

Unusual discomfort may be replaced by sharp pain even with a slight touch to the chest.

The painful symptom of fibrocystic mastopathy manifests itself in varying intensity - it can be dull, shooting and twitching, accompanied by heaviness, puffiness and a feeling of pressure in the chest.

It is not uncommon for pain to spread to nearby lymph nodes, causing them to become enlarged and tense. They can be local and radiate to the axillary and humeroscapular areas.

Typically, the pain syndrome increases during the “lunar cycle”, which is caused by hormonal surges. This symptomatology of mammary gland mastopathy is not typical for all patients. For some, pain does not appear at all, for others it is observed only during menstruation.

In the presence of characteristic general signs of FCM, this phenomenon is explained by the difference in compression of nerve endings or due to individual pain sensitivity. As the disease progresses, signs of fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary gland appear as more pronounced compactions and noticeable pain, regardless of the critical days.

Discharge from the milk ducts is an individual symptom and is not observed in all patients. In some cases, they may not appear at all, in others they can be very abundant (which sometimes makes it possible to independently identify the disease), or stand out from the nipples with slight squeezing.

• The secreted secretion does not have a special odor. The color range ranges from whitish to dark shades, rather reminiscent of the first discharge of colostrum after childbirth.

A threatening symptom is brown and bloody discharge. This sign is observed during an oncological process that destroys circulation in the small vessels of the breast and damages the vascular walls of the milk ducts.

If there are any signs of uncharacteristic discharge from the breast glands, and especially with a bloody admixture, it is necessary to quickly undergo an examination and begin immediate treatment for fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands.

Treatment of fibrocystic mastopathy, drugs

The basis of treatment for fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary gland is the restoration of hormonal imbalance. Therapeutic methods are compiled on the basis of diagnostic examination results that reveal hormonal imbalance. In accordance with which, drugs are prescribed to correct hormonal levels.

The treatment process includes puncture aspiration biopsy of the cyst followed by sclerotherapy. This technique is applicable to cystic formations without signs of malignant degeneration and without symptoms of tumor development inside the ducts.

Surgical methods for treating FCM are carried out on the basis of reasoned indicators:

• analysis confirming the malignancy of the tumor;
• progression of tumor enlargement over 3 months;
• repeated relapses of nodular pathology due to sclerotherapy or drug therapy for the disease;
• with a large increase in cysts and fibroadenomas.

Operative techniques

Surgical techniques consist of:

• Method of sectoral removal of formations with a small area of ​​adjacent tissue.
• Cystic enucleation is the removal of a cystic neoplasm using the enucleation method.

The operation is performed using local or general anesthesia. The duration of the surgical intervention is just over half an hour.

Conservative treatment of FCM

For tumors and nodes of small size, quite often, drug treatment with periodic monitoring by a specialist is sufficient. In the treatment of fibrocystic mastopathy, the action of the drugs is aimed at stopping the causative factor of the disease, stabilizing the immune system and eliminating the background diseases that caused an imbalance of hormones (diseases of the thyroid gland and appendages).

Drug therapy includes:

• Hormone medications are prescribed in the form of Duphoston or Progesterone, or Urozhestan, Progestogel, Livial and Tamoxifen.
• Estrogen-gesta gene contraceptives - “Marvelona” or “Zhanina”, eliminating hormonal imbalance.
• To eliminate excessive hormonal secretion - “Parlodel” class inhibitors.
• NSAID drugs that reduce pain symptoms - “Nimik”, “Diclofenac” or “Nise”
• Immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, decongestant and analgesic enzyme agents such as Wobenzyma, Mulsala, Lidase.
• Iodine-containing drugs that regulate thyroid function and reduce proliferation - drugs “Klamina”, “Iodomarin”, “Iodine-activa”.
• Dimexide compresses as an anti-inflammatory agent. For severe pain, add an Analgin and Demidrol tablet to the drug diluted with water.
• To accelerate tissue regeneration and normalize metabolic processes, it is recommended to rub “Lekar” gel or “Api Bust” cream into the mammary gland.
• Tonic and sedative tinctures – eleutherococcus, ginseng root, valerian, motherwort herb, vitamin therapy.
• Potent herbal medicines – “Fitolon”, “Klamina” and “Mastodinone”, which enhance the effect of medications.

Women over 40 years of age are prescribed steroids - Methyltestosterone, Methylandrostenediol and hormone injections (testosterone or progesterone). The effectiveness of all of the above means is due only to a complex effect.

1. Forecast options
2. Favorable prognosis is ensured by correct diagnosis and timely treatment of mastopathy.
3. Only adequate therapy for an initially benign neoplasm can prevent the proliferation and transition of a pathological diffuse state to a nodular stage and a malignant tumor.

Source: https://zdrav-lab.com/fibrozno-kistoznaya-mastopatiya-molochnoj-zhelezy/