Hyperplasia is a breast disease characterized by the spread of glandular formations. The main risk group includes women mainly from the age of twenty-five to seventy. Symptoms of pathology are characterized by a latent nature of development. If the chest begins to hurt, you should immediately consult a mammologist.
Causes
The following reasons contribute to the onset of the disease:
- Imbalance in the hormonal balance in the body.
- The imbalance in the ratio of tarragon and progesterone is one of the main factors in the spread of pathogenic cells.
- Age predisposition.
- The presence of diseases of the endocrine system.
- Work in unhealthy work.
- The negative effects of harmful fumes or chemicals can also trigger the appearance of pathologies of the endocrine glands.
- Taking medications containing hormones.
- Breastfeeding the baby.
- Emotionally stressful situations.
- Mechanical damage to the chest.
- Age-related changes.
- The presence of thyroid disease.
- Early onset of menstruation.
- Late pregnancy.
- Late abortions.
A sharp mechanical cessation of hormonal changes is a huge test for a woman’s body, as a result of which there is a risk of various complications.
Symptoms
In contrast to breast diseases that occur without visible pathological changes, hyperplasia is characterized by the presence of certain symptoms, which can be detected even with an independent examination (palpation) of the mammary glands.
So, the most obvious symptoms of breast hyperplasia are:
- The chest hurts when touched (it should be noted that this symptom usually indicates a fibrous form of hyperplasia with cysts). Sometimes the pain goes into the shoulder or axillary region.
- On palpation, nodules and seals are felt (with a diameter of up to 15 mm). Moreover, if the seals have a fairly solid consistency and are motionless, then, most likely, we are talking about cystic hyperplasia.
- With the neglect of the disease, various bloody, mucous or milk secretions from the nipples can be observed, which may indicate nodular hyperplasia, disruptions in the menstrual cycle.
- When examining the physical form of the mammary gland, swelling of the mammary glands, asymmetry or deformation changes can be observed.
However, not all types of breast hyperplasia have vivid symptoms, so the annual screening (screening) should be part of a woman’s life.
There are many types of hyperplasia. The most common of them will be considered below.
Dishormonal
Dyshormonal breast hyperplasia appears against the background of the formation of a hormonal imbalance in a woman’s body, as a rule, has the character of benign modifications in the structure of tissues of the female mammary glands and is treated with hormones selected by the doctor after a detailed study of the examination results.
Glandular
These are excessive formations of the glandular tissue of the breast. Basically, they have a disk-like shape and are incredibly mobile, for this reason, when examined independently, it is quite difficult to find. As a rule, no unhealthy signs can be traced. This form of the disease has another name - adenosis. Of course, over time, adenosis progresses, neoplasms become more pronounced, they expand. This is the seriousness of the disease, since it is difficult to determine on its own in the early stages.
Epithelial
This is an increase in breast epithelial cells in excess. It is often found in pregnant women, since in this state the hormonal background changes. It is treated for a short time and is relatively simple, and in some cases, after childbirth, if the hormones subside and the body returns to its normal position, the growth of the epithelium passes on its own. However, it is not recommended to expect that the disease will go away on its own, it is imperative to consult a doctor and undergo an examination.
Diffuse
This is one of the types of pathology for which the occurrence of small, grain-like tumors and nodules in the chest is characteristic. The main sign is breast tenderness before the onset of menstruation, which most women do not pay attention to for a long time, thereby triggering the formation of pathology, which in the future can cause the development of cancer.
Nodal
After a certain period of time, tumors with a diffuse type increase in volume, and are transformed into strong nodes the size of cherries. In this case, the disease will pass into the stage of the nodal type of pathology. Chest pains become more severe, bloody, milky, or colorless, watery discharge from the nipples occurs, and with the onset of menstruation the symptoms do not go away. Fibrous and cystic varieties of the disease are also distinguished, they differ in the structure of the tumor. With fibrotic pathology, the neoplasm becomes rigid, with a well-established structure. Such a tumor is quite simple to detect. With fibrocystic form, atheroma occurs in the chest.
Breast ductal hyperplasia
This species acquired its own designation due to the proliferation of epithelial tissues in the ducts of the chest. In the early stages, the disease is completely cured, in the later stages it goes into the pre-oncological state. If the pathology is not treated, there is a high probability that the tumor will transform into a malignant neoplasm.
Focal
Focal hyperplasia is a disease that manifests itself in the form of single neoplasms in the tissues of the so-called sources. In fact, this type of disease can be attributed to any of the types of disease, with the location of single tumors in different zones. It can be several types of pathology (for example, fibrous and diffuse). The threat of this form of the disease lies in the fact that it is more prone to degeneration into a malignant tumor.
Stromal
Muscle-fibrous neoplasm, is quite rare, has a benign character. It appears in the form of gaps in the muscle tissue of the breast, which are covered with myofibroblasts. Most of all, this type of pathology occurs in women of the weaker sex (during menopause or before it begins). In young women, it occurs very rarely.
Diagnostics
Timely diagnosis and timely treatment of a disease such as benign breast hyperplasia (pathological proliferation of breast tissue) allows you to successfully fight or even prevent more serious pathological processes in the chest.
Diagnosis with this pathology has several different directions.
One of the most important ways is a woman self-examination of her breast. This method is recommended to be carried out monthly, and when palpating the mammary gland, one should pay attention to the presence of seals, nodules in the tissues, soreness of the chest, asymmetry, areas with redness, the presence of discharge from the nipples (while paying attention to the condition of the linen - are there any spots) .
If a woman detects the above symptoms, it is necessary to turn to a specialist (mammologist or oncologist) for further examination, who, in turn, will conduct the following special studies:
- mammography (conducting an x-ray of the mammary gland on a mammograph);
- breast ultrasound;
- if necessary, a puncture may be indicated to study the composition of the seal or nodule in the mammary gland;
- blood sampling on tumor marker.
Treatment
More than 80% of women are affected by this disease. Hyperplasia, or mastopathy, is the process of proliferation of breast tissue. The disease requires immediate treatment under the supervision of a specialist.
For the successful treatment of hyperplasia, it is necessary to timely and correctly diagnose the disease, as well as determine its type.
The doctor will choose the most suitable treatment method only after receiving the results of the tests.
There are several treatment regimens for hyperplasia that depend on the type of disease and the individual characteristics of the patient. The leading place is taken by drug therapy, radical methods are much less commonly used.
Preparations
Such drugs are prescribed for the treatment of breast hyperplasia in women:
- "Ethinyl estradiol" is used to treat hyperplasia if the disease is atypical and estrogen deficiency is observed. Dosage ranges from 0.05 mg to 0.1 mg at a time. The drug is prescribed in a long course from two to four months. In the course of therapy, side effects can be observed, such as: pigmentation, nausea, weight gain, nervous disorders.
- "Remens" normalizes the balance of hormones, improves the functioning of the pituitary and hypothalamus, which, in turn, eliminates the main cause of hyperplasia - hormonal imbalance. The course of treatment is three months. "Remens" take twenty drops once a day. Allergic reactions to the components of the drug may be observed, and individual intolerance to some components is possible.
- “Lindinet 20” is a hormonal group drug that stops the growth of tissues and normalizes hormonal levels. Contains ethinyl estradiol and gestodene. Applies to neoplasms up to one centimeter in diameter. The medicine should be taken at the same time, in accordance with the menstrual cycle. As a result of therapy, side effects can occur - allergies, vomiting, rashes, inflammation of the vagina, labia minora and labia minora.
- "Potassium iodide" is a medication based on iodine. It is used in cases where hyperplasia is caused by disorders in the thyroid gland. The term of administration and the exact dosage (from 100 to 200 mcg per dose) is determined by a specialist. May cause an allergic reaction.
- "Klamin" - a drug of the iodine-containing group, contains kelp extract. It improves the general condition of the mammary glands and has a beneficial effect on the body as a whole. Depending on the form of release, take one or two tablets (capsules) per day. Minor adverse reactions in the form of an allergy are possible.
- “Iodine-active” - iodine and milk protein are present in the medicine. Eliminates an acute lack of iodine, thereby positively affecting the body. Prescribe one or two tablets with meals once a day. The drug may cause allergies.
As an additional therapy, sedatives are used:
- Amizil is a sedative complex that eliminates disorders of the nervous system and neurosis. Dosage is selected individually. The treatment period is short - from four to six weeks of continuous use. The following adverse reactions are possible: violation of the heart rhythm, involuntary muscle contraction and dryness in the oral cavity.
- "Sibazon" is a drug with a pronounced antispasmodic and antiarrhythmic action. The dose and frequency of administration is determined by the attending physician. "Sibazon" is used for neurosis, sleep disorders and other diseases of the nervous system. May cause drowsiness, a state of general weakness of the body, powerlessness.
- "Grandaxinum" is a psycho-vegetative regulator, it is recommended for neurosis and depression. It is prescribed two to three times a day, one or two tablets. As allergic reactions, itching and general ill health, nausea can be observed.
In cases where the therapy was started too late, or if the patient’s age does not allow successful drug treatment, the surgical method for eliminating hyperplasia, which is called “sectoral resection,” is used. It is used for benign tumors. It involves the complete removal of damaged tissue and partial removal of the breast.
Extirpation - removal of a malignant neoplasm and complete removal of the mammary gland. In some special cases, the lymph nodes and muscles of the chest can also be removed, which prevents the further development of hyperplasia.
If the disease was detected in the early stages and the treatment regimen was chosen correctly, then the prognosis in most cases is positive. Equally important is the type of hyperplasia, its benignity and general condition of the body at the time of diagnosis and further therapy.