One of the common diseases in the female population is a breast cyst. Pathology, according to statistics, is most often detected in patients aged 35-55 years who have not yet given birth to a child. What is an ailment, how dangerous is it? What is the reason for the occurrence of breast cysts , and how to deal with the disease?
Pathology characteristic
It is necessary to understand before considering the cause of the appearance of a breast cyst , what is it?
This pathology is a cavity filled with liquid. A cyst is most often formed from lobules of the gland or milk ducts. This phenomenon is due to excessive growth of surrounding tissue. As a result, the secretion of the mammary glands stagnates in the enlarged ducts. Gradually, it accumulates. It is from a large amount of this secret that a cyst is formed.
Such a tumor is benign. However, it should not be ignored. Treatment of pathology is mandatory.
A cyst is a dense formation. During palpation, it can cause pain. Often, such an education causes discomfort in everyday life. Most often, the pain is provoked by the growth of a cyst. As the tumor develops, it compresses adjacent tissues and can affect nerve endings.
But you should know that palpation does not always help to identify this formation. It is felt, as a rule, if it has reached a large size cyst of the breast.
Causes of occurrence
What provokes pathology? Doctors say that the main cause of breast cysts is a disturbed hormonal background. Excessive production of estrogen and prolactin inhibits the synthesis of other hormones. The whole organism suffers from such changes.
The cause of breast cysts can be dictated by the following factors leading to hormonal imbalance:
- a variety of neuroendocrine pathologies;
- genetic predisposition;
- prolonged severe stress;
- the absence of childbirth for women over 30 years old;
- abortions
- late or early menopause;
- gynecological hormonal pathologies (most often diseases associated with the ovaries);
- diabetes;
- the use of hormonal contraception;
- early puberty;
- obesity;
- refusal of lactation or prolonged breastfeeding;
- inflammatory processes in the mammary glands;
- excessive insolation, prolonged thermal procedures;
- breast injuries.
Pathology classification
Doctors are studying the cause of the appearance of breast cysts and its types. Pathology can manifest itself in a variety of forms.
In accordance with the number of formations distinguish:
- Solitary. A single tumor of a benign type. The liquid may be of different colors. The tumor is like a dense capsule. Such an education affects only one breast.
- Polycystic - multiple formations.
Cysts vary in size:
- small forms (education up to 20 mm);
- large;
- gigantic.
By the number of cavities, the formation can be:
- Single chamber.
- Multi-chamber. Several tumors are formed, characterized by small sizes. In the process of proliferation, they connect into one cyst. This is an extremely unpleasant form of pathology that can develop into cancer.
There are other forms of pathology. But regardless of the variety, it is the disturbed hormonal background that is the main cause of the appearance of a breast cyst.
Types of entities:
- Fibrous A tumor that plays an important role in the formation of oncology. A characteristic feature of this formation is the proliferation of connective tissue. As a result, new cavities are formed, filled with liquid. The latter is often allocated from the nipples.
- Atypical. A benign cyst that grows inside the cavity as a result of the absence of walls. Often it is localized in the expanded duct. The tumor is able to inflame, periodically may recur. Sometimes papillomatous malignant cells may be present in the cavity.
- Fatty. A benign tumor with smooth walls. It is filled with milk. This pathology is due to clogging of the sebaceous gland during lactation, pregnancy.
- Ductal. Another kind of benign cyst. It is formed in women, usually in adulthood. Such an education is referred to as a precancerous condition.
Symptoms of the disease
Of course, interest is not only the cause of the appearance of breast cysts. Symptoms characteristic of an ailment are an important point that every woman needs to familiarize themselves with. Indeed, unfortunately, not one of them is safe from the disease.
If the formation is small in size, the pathology can develop without any symptoms. Complaints in patients arise most often when the education has grown.
Cysts are characterized by such symptoms:
- headache;
- a feeling of constant heaviness, burning;
- during the 2 phase period of menstruation, pain in the chest may be aggravated;
- in the mammary gland a dense formation is formed;
- nervousness appears;
- fluid is released from the nipples;
- uncomfortable sensations occur in the lower abdomen.
Sometimes a cyst can become inflamed. In this case, the following signs of pathology are observed:
- redness of the chest;
- severe pain discomfort in the area of localization of education;
- fever;
- swelling;
- feeling of weakness;
- reduced performance;
- increased drowsiness.
Possible complications
There is an opinion that the cyst is the initial stage of the development of oncology. This statement is incorrect. A cyst located in the mammary gland does not pose a health hazard. However, you should not remain indifferent to such a pathology. Despite the fact that education rarely develops into cancer, there are still known cases when a cyst degenerates into a malignant tumor.
In addition, she is able to provoke a number of unpleasant phenomena. There is always a risk of suppuration or inflammation of the cyst. In this case, purulent mastitis or cancer may develop.
Diagnostic Methods
Based only on the symptoms, it is impossible to confirm the disease. Therefore, if in doubt, be sure to contact a competent specialist. Diagnosis and cause of breast cysts are moments that the doctor will explain in detail. Initially, the doctor will examine the chest.
Then the following studies will be prescribed:
- Mammography. This is a special x-ray of the mammary glands. It allows you to determine the presence of a cyst, its location, size, shape. With the help of this examination, a place for puncture of the cyst is determined.
- MRI The study more accurately determines all the properties of the cyst. In addition, it gives a picture of the slightest changes in the tissues.
- Ultrasound Shows the shape, size of education. During the procedure, an elastography method is performed. It gives an idea of tissue elasticity.
- Cytological analysis. Biological material is taken from the neoplasm. This analysis allows you to determine whether malignant cells are present in the tumor.
- Dopplerometric study. Allows you to define a formation with a smooth wall. With a uniform content and the absence of blood movement, doctors draw conclusions about the nature of this tumor.
- Pneumocystography. The study allows you to examine the walls of the capsule.
The final diagnosis is usually made after a biopsy.
Treatment methods
Now find out what is the cause of the occurrence of breast cysts. How to treat this disease?
To combat the disease, several methods have been developed:
- conservative therapy;
- surgical intervention;
- alternative methods of treatment.
Only a doctor can determine the appropriateness of the chosen direction.
Conservative therapy
This method is undertaken only in the early stages, with neoplasms no larger than 0.5 mm in size. In this case, conservative therapy is quite effective. Even regardless of (such a pathology as a breast cyst) the cause of the occurrence.
Treatment involves the following methods to achieve the disappearance of the tumor:
- Medications They are selected based on the survey. The main goal of such drugs is to restore normal hormonal balance.
- Puncture. The puncture of the formation is carried out. Liquid is pumped out of the cyst. Then a special solution is introduced to ensure the disappearance of the capsule.
- Aspiration. With the help of a thin tube, fluid is drawn from the neoplasm.
If a cyst is detected, a woman needs to visit annually not only an endocrinologist, gynecologist, immunologist. You should definitely be examined by a mammologist.
Surgical intervention
If conservative treatment does not bring the desired effect or the pathology is already running, resort to surgical removal. Surgical intervention is also prescribed if malignant cells are found in the cyst.
It is very important that you understand not only the cause of the appearance of the breast cyst, but also the need to timely combat it. After all, in the early stages of the tumor, you can get rid of conservative methods.
The operation is performed under general anesthesia. The cystic mass is excised by the surgeon. Together with him, the tissues adjacent to the tumor are removed.
Folk remedies
Good results can give grandmother's recipes. However, before applying them, be sure to coordinate the treatment with your doctor.
The following drugs are most effective in the treatment of cysts:
- Red beetroot. Rub the root vegetable on a fine grater. Heat the slurry in a wet bath. Then add vinegar to the product - 2 tbsp. l This slurry should be applied as a compress to the cyst. Keep a compress all night. The procedure should be repeated daily for one decade.
- Cabbage leaf. This method is recommended for pain. A sheet of ordinary cabbage must be greased with butter. Apply such a natural compress to the localized area of the cyst. From above you can put on a tight bra or wrap a bandage.
- Carrot. This is another great compress tool. Carrots should be grated. Then the pulp is applied under the bandage on the cyst.
Pathology prognosis
It is very important to eliminate, in order not to provoke a relapse of such an ailment as a breast cyst, the causes of the occurrence. The prognosis of pathology in most cases depends on this. If you do not get rid of predisposing factors, the emergence of a new entity cannot be ruled out. In addition, hormonal failure can occur throughout the body, resulting in a loss of fertility. That is why all the recommendations of a doctor should be strictly observed.
Basically, with timely handling and full implementation of all specialist advice, the prognosis is quite favorable.