Dyshormonal disease, in which there is an excessive proliferation of tissues and the formation of cysts, is called fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands. Treatment, causes, symptoms of this pathology will be considered in the article.
Every year, about a million women hear the terrible diagnosis of breast cancer. And, unfortunately, these numbers are growing steadily. Not everyone knows that such a disease is often preceded by fibrocystic mastopathy. What it is? As already mentioned above, this is a hormone-dependent illness, which is characterized by various changes in the mammary gland - both proliferation (increase) and regression (decrease) in tissues can be observed. Also, changes in the ratio of connective tissue and epithelial components occur in the gland, as a result of which either cystic or fibrous components may predominate.
Causes of pathology
Formations in the mammary gland most often develop due to hormonal cyclical changes in the body of a woman. Hormones act on the mammary gland, which consequently undergoes various changes - from the onset of puberty and the gradual growth of the gland to pregnancy and breastfeeding.
If hormones for some reason do not control these processes, dysfunction occurs in the mammary gland, changes occur in the tissues - fibrous or cystic.
Provoking factors of imbalance in the hormonal background of the female body are:
The main reason for the development of mastopathy is an increase in the body's level of the hormone estrogen and a decrease in the hormone progesterone.
In the case when, for some reason, the progesterone content in the body decreases, edema occurs in the mammary gland, connective tissue increases in volume, cysts form in the gland.
At risk are these categories of women:
overweight, especially against the background of high blood sugar and high blood pressure;
women after 35 years;
not giving birth to 30 years;
having had several abortions;
early stopped breastfeeding;
being for a long period of time in a state of nervous tension, undergoing stress.
Often, mastopathy is accompanied by such ailments as endometrial hyperplasia, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, inflammatory diseases of the uterine appendages.
Classification of mastopathy
There are various forms of the disease "fibrocystic mastopathy":
fibrous form (fibroadenosis) - the fibrous component predominates;
fibrocystosis - the cystic component predominates;
adenosis - the glandular component predominates;
mixed form (all components);
sclerosing adenosis.
All this relates to diffuse mastopathy. There is also nodular fibrocystic mastopathy. With this form of the disease, limited painful seals are found, over time they can increase in size.
Signs of fibrocystic mastopathy
The diffuse form is the initial stage of the disease, it is characterized by the appearance of painful sensations in the mammary glands before menstruation (in a few days). Many women complain that they have a mammary gland sore during the premenstrual period. Symptoms of mastopathy are most often mild and therefore they can easily be mistaken for a typical monthly swelling of the mammary glands. As a rule, pain disappears with the onset of “critical days”.
Gradually, the pain intensifies, their duration and intensity increase. Painful discomfort often spreads to the shoulder blade, armpit, neck, any touch to the chest is unpleasant.
Mastalgia (masoplasia, mastodynia) is the initial stage of such an ailment as diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy. Reviews of women indicate soreness and tightening of the tissue. Palpation of the mammary glands confirms these symptoms. This condition is most common in women under 35 years old. All manifestations disappear after the onset of menstruation.
Over time, the painful signs of fibrocystic mastopathy weaken. In the mammary glands, compaction areas that do not have clear boundaries, coarsening of the glandular lobes, fine granularity are felt. When pressing on the nipples, discharge of a different nature appears. In the premenstrual period, discharge from the nipples and painful seals increase, with the onset of menstruation - decrease. However, complete softening of the glands to a normal state does not occur.
The next stage of the disease is considered nodular mastopathy. Nodular formations in the chest with this form become more clear, often large cysts are found. Such neoplasms can be localized in one mammary gland or in both, be single and multiple.
Nodular seals are formed with diffuse mastopathy with the preservation of all its symptoms: rough lobation, heaviness, granularity, discharge from the nipples. Seals can be easily felt in a standing position, in the supine position their borders are not determined, the surrounding densified mammary tissue hides nodules. This form of mastopathy is most often diagnosed in women older than 30-50 years.
Diagnostics
We discussed the symptoms, causes and forms of such an ailment as fibrocystic mastopathy, what it is, we know. Now let's talk about diagnostic methods for this pathology.
When diagnosed with fibrocystic breast mastopathy, treatment can only be prescribed after a thorough examination. Initial examination involves palpation of the mammary glands. To exclude possible diagnostic errors, a visit to a mammologist is preferable to plan for 7-10 days of the menstrual cycle. In addition to the mammary glands, the doctor examines the axillary and clavicular lymph nodes.
Further diagnosis involves the following procedures:
Ultrasonography. The procedure is absolutely safe and can be used repeatedly for a short period of time. The study can be done during pregnancy and lactation. The use of this technique is difficult with a large amount of adipose tissue in the glands.
X-ray mammography. This procedure is the leading method for the diagnosis of breast pathologies: it is highly informative, makes it possible to identify small neoplasms, and allows an analysis of the dynamics of the disease. However, the x-ray will not be sufficiently informative when examining young women whose mammary glands have a dense consistency. Also, this procedure is contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Doppler ultrasonography. The method allows you to more clearly differentiate various diseases of the mammary gland.
Puncture and cytological examination of the obtained biomaterial. The procedure is performed with suspected tumor disease and atypia.
With such an ailment as fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands, treatment should be started after consultation with related specialists: gynecologist, endocrinologist, psychotherapist.
Treatment
Since there are various forms of the disease "cystic-fibrous mastopathy" (fibrous or nodular form), the treatment is carried out by different methods. First of all, it is necessary to eliminate the causes and factors due to which mastopathy developed.
Treatment of diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy is carried out by conservative methods. Drug therapy involves the use of hormonal and non-hormonal agents. Hormonal drugs are prescribed in case of urgent need and according to the results of a comprehensive examination.
Moderate fibrocystic mastopathy requires a certain diet: the exclusion of too fatty foods, caffeine, alcoholic beverages.
Non-hormonal therapy
When mastalgia is used:
Decongestants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics (Ibuprofen, Nurofen, etc.).
Blood circulation improving drugs (B vitamins).
Soothing and sedatives (motherwort, valerian).
Physiotherapy is carried out (electrophoresis using potassium iodide).
Phytotherapy is carried out on the basis of such drugs as Mastodinon, Vitokan, Tazalok.
It is extremely important to wear comfortable underwear. The use of an inappropriate bra size or shape can provoke breast deformation, pain and swelling.
Hormone therapy
Mastopathy can develop as a result of hormonal imbalance in the body. To normalize female sex hormones, antihormones are prescribed - Tamoxifen and Toremifen preparations. For the same purpose, oral contraceptives are used - Marvelon and Janine medicines, under the influence of which the production of steroids, estrogens, androgens is suppressed and the hormonal level in the body is stabilized. Also, the doctor can prescribe the use of progestogens - progesterone preparations (Dufaston, Utrozhestan), these drugs inhibit the growth of cysts and contribute to subsequent gradual regression. In some cases, specialists prescribe antiprolactins (Parlodel), androgens (Methyltestosterone), and gonadotropin antagonists (Buserelin and Zoladex).
Remember, only a qualified specialist should treat fibrocystic mastopathy! Drugs recommended by a specialist should be taken strictly according to the instructions.
Homeopathy
In the treatment of this disease, various homeopathic remedies have been successfully used. Patients and doctors who treated these drugs with fibrocystic mastopathy leave mostly positive reviews: these drugs effectively reduce prolactin levels, without causing any side effects. These medicines include Cyclodinone, Remens, Mastodinon.
Diet
With this disease, it is very important to adjust the diet. All products containing methylxanthines should be excluded: coffee, tea, chocolate of any kind, cola, cocoa. It is also recommended to refuse the use of smoked products, pickles. Fresh vegetables rich in fiber, fruits, citrus fruits, cereals must be present in the daily diet. In addition to 2 liters of water per day, it is also recommended to drink herbal teas, which have a diuretic and decongestant effect. The use of salt should be limited, as it contributes to the accumulation of fluid in the body and tissue edema.
Alternative medicine
Not only with medical, but also with alternative methods, they treat fibrocystic mastopathy. Reviews of acquaintances and girlfriends about alternative methods of treating this disease should not become a guide to action. Any medical measures should be carried out only after consultation with a specialist.
As an addition to the main treatment, the attending physician can recommend proven folk recipes.
Herbs such as burdock, wormwood, immortelle, elderberry, cirsium, celandine, saber, birch have an antitumor effect.
Immunomodulating effect - aloe, echinacea, elecampane, propolis.
Surgery for the nodal form of mastopathy
Surgical treatment is used if atypical cells or proliferative changes in the epithelium of the mammary gland are found during aspiration biopsy in punctate. Used sectoral resection (linear excision of tissues) and mastectomy (removal of a portion of the gland).
It is important to remember that fibrocystosis is a precancerous disease. Therefore, in no case should you ignore regular visits to the doctor and conducting professional examinations. Self-medication, in turn, can cause the development of dangerous conditions for health, including breast cancer. The treatment in this case is much more serious: breast chemotherapy, radiation therapy, complex surgery are performed.
Conclusion
After reading this article, you learned more about a disease such as fibrocystic breast mastopathy, treatment, the causes and symptoms of pathology, we have examined. We hope you find the information useful. Take care of yourself, be attentive to your condition, immediately responding to the slightest changes in the body. And be healthy!