Fibroadenoma of the mammary glands is called a benign formation, which most often occurs in fairly young women (up to 30 years old). After 40 years, such a disease is diagnosed much less frequently. If a pathology such as breast fibroadenoma is detected, treatment without surgery is still possible in some cases.
Causes of the disease
There is no exact reason that can provoke the development of a pathological process. However, experts identify a number of factors due to which changes in breast tissue occur. First of all, these are hormonal fluctuations in the body. This also explains why the disease is diagnosed in young girls (period of hormonal storms and puberty, the formation of the menstrual cycle). Also, stressful situations have a negative effect on a woman's body. Breast fibroadenoma can still occur through taking medications to abort pregnancy, abortion. It is worth noting that excessive physical exertion, lack of sleep and rest provoke changes in the gland. Among the factors for which there is a high probability of the formation of tumors, there are also such: overweight, problems in the work of the endocrine glands, gynecological diseases. Breast fibroadenoma. What is it how to treat? With this diagnosis, small seals form in the woman's chest. Some structural elements grow or develop incorrectly. A feature of such a tumor is that it can move freely. Sizes can be different: from a few millimeters to several centimeters. Breast fibroadenoma consists of glandular tissue, which is surrounded by fibers of the fibrous structure. Most often, the pathological process is observed in one gland.
Types of Fibroadenomas
There are three main types of breast fibroadenoma. The pericanalicular tumor has a dense consistency, sometimes accumulation of calcium salts can be observed in it. It is localized most often around the mammary ducts of the gland. Intracanalicular fibroadenoma has a more loose structure, the contours are not clearly marked. Both first types are not prone to degeneration into malignant neoplasms. There is a third type - leaf-shaped (or phyloid) breast fibroadenoma. Treatment without surgery in this case is hardly possible. This type is characterized by significant size and the ability to degenerate into cancer.
Symptoms of the disease
Very often, the disease proceeds without any visible symptoms. Upon examination, you can find a movable seal with a fairly dense structure. In most cases, such tumors are detected by women themselves, often by accident. Pain is absent. An exception is leaf-shaped fibroadenoma. Symptoms, if any, are as follows: the breast skin becomes bluish, discharge from the nipple is possible, pain is felt in the affected area. Perhaps a slight increase in education during menstruation.
Diagnosis of breast fibroadenoma
First of all, the specialist palpates the patient’s glands. If seals are detected, further studies are needed to confirm the diagnosis. Using ultrasound, you can see the full picture of the internal structure of the gland. To determine if a benign process, a biopsy is necessary. The doctor can use a syringe to take a puncture of tissues or, under local anesthesia, excise a small area of the tumor. Next, the sample is sent for histological analysis. This makes it possible to determine the degree of tissue damage, to verify the absence of a malignant process, to confirm the diagnosis of breast fibroadenoma. Treatment without surgery, surgery - these decisions are made only by a specialist.
Conservative treatments for breast fibroadenoma
The essence of this technique is to stabilize the hormonal background. The patient is prescribed special drugs that normalize the level of hormones in the blood. It is also additionally recommended to take vitamin E. Experts advise to put in order and your weight, as overweight can increase the risk of pathogenic processes in the gland. Conservative therapy also includes the treatment of concomitant gynecological diseases. Women are prescribed iodine preparations. Such patients should be regularly observed by a doctor. If the size of the tumor increases, new symptoms appear, more radical methods are needed.
Will folk remedies help?
Is fibroadenoma treated with folk remedies? There are a considerable number of recipes for alternative therapy to get rid of this ailment. One of them is based on the use of walnuts. An alcohol tincture is prepared from its partitions, which is taken once a day (tablespoon). It is worth noting that walnut partitions are a good source of iodine (and a deficiency of this trace element is extremely undesirable for women's health). Caution should be taken with medicinal herbs. Licorice, clover - sources of estrogen. Their use is extremely undesirable. But infusions of bitter wormwood, yarrow, juniper fruits produce a healing effect. In any case, there is no need to get involved in traditional medicine. Compresses, grindings that only contribute to the growth of the tumor are strictly contraindicated. It is best to consult a specialist who will tell you how to treat fibroadenoma correctly.
Removal of affected areas
If the size of the tumor is large enough, it tends to grow, a leaf shape is diagnosed or there is suspicion of oncology - in these cases, the removal of the formation is necessary. Surgical intervention can be carried out according to two methods: directly resection of the tumor (nucleation) and removal of fibroadenoma with a certain amount of surrounding tissue (lumpectomy). The latter method is used in cases when leaf-shaped fibroadenoma of the mammary gland is diagnosed (what it is, how to treat it, was discussed above). The operation is tolerated quite easily, the scar is almost imperceptible. A woman stays in a hospital one day, and then she is discharged. However, it is worth noting that the possibility of the reappearance of education is 15%.
Modern treatments
With a diagnosis of breast fibroadenoma, treatment without surgery is possible due to the use of a laser or low temperatures. Laser thermotherapy consists in accurately pointing a beam at a tumor and destroying the formation. The shape of the breast does not change, only a small trace remains on the skin. This procedure does not require hospitalization of the patient. Cryotherapy is based on the freezing of pathogenic cells, the gradual death of the tumor. If fibroadenoma is removed in this way, patient reviews indicate that a return to normal life occurs the next day. There are no cosmetic defects left. Also, the use of radio waves is referred to modern treatment methods.
Fibroadenoma Prevention Methods
Any treatment involves lifestyle changes. First of all, you should control your own emotions and avoid stressful situations. In addition, you must abandon the abundant sunbathing and visiting the solarium. Of course, alcohol and cigarettes are strictly prohibited. Compresses, rubbing the gland can cause irreparable harm to a woman's health. There is no special diet for the prevention of changes in breast tissue, however, it is better to minimize fried, fatty foods. But legumes, green tea, cabbage will only benefit. Every woman should know how to properly examine her breasts. After all, it is the early detection of formations that is the guarantee that the disease will be overcome.