Mastopathy (fibrocystic disease of the breast) is the term used to describe a series of benign changes that develop within the breast. Mastopathy is a common disease in women between the ages of 35 and 50, although it can also be diagnosed in younger women. What are the causes and symptoms of mastopathy? What is the treatment? What is the risk of turning mastopathy into breast cancer?

Mastopathy(fibrocystic breast disease) is a term for benign (non-cancerous) changes in the breast that are characterized by degeneration of the glandular and fatty tissue of the breast. Thus, the term mastopathy includes changes such as fibrosis, glandular proliferation, epithelial proliferation, cysts, and dilation of the exit ducts.

Mastopathy - causes

The causes of mastopathy are not fully understood. It is presumed that hormonal disorders, most often too low levels of progesterone in relation to estrogens, are responsible for fibrocystic disease of the breast. Most often, women between 35 and 50 experience changes, and they gradually disappear after the menopause.

Taking anti-diabetic medications may also be the cause of fibrocystic breast disease. Then, diabetic mastopathy is diagnosed. Breast degeneration affects young women who have diabetes.

Mastopathy - symptoms

Mastopathy appears as numerous hard bumps that can be felt with a finger. They can vary in size and also increase and decrease during the menstrual cycle.

Numerous lumps in the breasts may indicate mastopathy.

In addition, symptoms such as breast pain (or excessive sensitivity), accompanied by swelling, the feeling of too heavy breasts may appear. The breast pain caused by mastopathy usually worsens before menstruation and resolves with the onset of menstruation (mastodynia), although in some cases it may occur regardless of the phase of the cycle. Occasionally there may be discharge from the nipple.

These discomforts usually decrease or go away during the menopause.

Important

Mastopathy and cancer

The risk of turning mastopathic changes into cancer depends on their form. Only atypical hyperplasia of the ductal epithelium andlobules is treated as a precancerous condition for which the risk of breast cancer is five times higher than in the population of he althy women .¹

Mastopathy - diagnosis

Any changes in the breasts should be examined by a specialist. He should obtain information from the patient about the existence of risk factors for breast cancer (family history of this cancer, long-term exposure to estrogen), and ask for a description of his ailments. Then he should perform a physical examination - assess the symmetry of the breast, the appearance of the skin and nipple, skin warmth, the consistency of the gland, lymph nodes and the nature of any discharge from the nipple. In addition, breast ultrasound, hormonal tests, and sometimes mammography are performed. In some cases, it may also be necessary to perform a fine needle biopsy.

Mastopathy - treatment

The goal of treatment is to restore the hormonal balance and relieve the symptoms of the disease. For this purpose, a hormone treatment is used. In most patients, treatment stops the progression of changes or they disappear. Pain and swelling will be relieved by ointments and gels containing painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs (so-called NSAIDs, i.e. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

Diet also plays an important role in the treatment of mastopathy. The more vegetables, fruits and legumes, the less discomfort. Coffee and animal fats, on the other hand, can make unpleasant symptoms worse. After treatment and the introduction of a proper diet, the changes subside, but may come back. Therefore, check-ups should be made at least once a year.

Patients who do not have hormonal disorders and mastodynia (breast pain associated with their swelling) do not need to be treated pharmacologically. However, they should have regular check-ups. Patients with mastopathy after 35 years of age are recommended to undergo mammography every 1-2 years and breast ultrasound once a year. In younger women, mammography is performed only in the case of suspicious changes.

You must do it

Get tested once a month, preferably between the 6th and 9th day of your cycle.It is important to do it in the first half of the cycle when your breasts are not sore and swollen. You can designate the same day for this activity, e.g. Saturday.In the shower,it is easier to feel any changes when the skin is soapy.1.Place your left hand on the back of your head and your right hand on your left breast. Using light pressure with the 3 middle fingers, make tiny circles around the breast, from top to bottom and back again.2.Likewise inspect the other breast. Check for lumps or lumps.You can also stand in front of itmirror:1.Raise both hands and check for changes in breast shape and skin color. See that the skin is not wrinkling and the nipples are not drawn in.2.Put your hands on your hips and make the same observations.3.Squeeze in turn nipples and see if any fluid is leaking from them.Or self-check after bathing:1.Lie down on the bed, without a pillow. Slip a rolled-up towel under your left shoulder, and put your left hand under your head. Use the three middle fingers of your right hand to examine the left breast. Make the same movements as in the shower. Repeat the same with the other breast.2.Lying down, examine your right armpit with your left hand, then examine your left armpit with your right hand. This is how it checks if the lymph nodes are enlarged and there are no thickenings around them.

1. Mazurkiewicz M., Prevention and early diagnosis of breast cancer, "Medycyna Rodzinna" 2002, No. 2

Category:

Oncology