Cystic mastopathy of the breast

A dyshormonal disease accompanied by excessive tissue growth with the formation of cysts is cystic mastopathy of the mammary gland.

The disease is typical for women aged 30-50 years.

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Causes cystic mastopathy of the breast

The development of cystic mastopathy is associated with a large number of provoking factors. These are heredity, ecology, nutrition and other reasons that affect a woman's hormonal background to varying degrees.

Most often, the development of mastopathy is observed with a combination of such factors. Let's look at the main ones:

1. Disorders of reproductive function. Cystic mastopathy most often occurs in patients suffering from inability to conceive a child, or after frequent abortions, menstrual cycle disorders. Women who did not breastfeed, or did breastfeed, but not for long (up to 5 months) are also susceptible to the disease.
2. Lack of sexual intercourse, dissatisfaction in the sexual sphere, rejection of sex.
3. Psychological discomfort. Frequent stress, conflict situations, psycho-emotional outbursts and hysteria contribute to hormonal imbalance and, as a consequence, the development of mastopathy.
4. Metabolic disorders: excess weight, diabetes, hyperthyroidism.
5. Long-term diseases of the reproductive system: salpingo-oophoritis, endometritis, appendage cysts, etc.
6. Hereditary predisposition.
7. Unhealthy lifestyle: chronic fatigue, little time for sleep, overeating, insufficient fiber intake, strict diets.

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Symptoms cystic mastopathy of the breast

The main manifestations of the disease are:

• breast pain - dull, aching, accompanied by a feeling of heaviness and general discomfort. It can increase several days before menstruation, occur at certain moments, or bother constantly. The pain can significantly increase with pressure or even touching the gland;
• areas of compaction in the breast - usually do not have clear outlines and can be determined by a woman herself when feeling the breast;
• discharge from the milk ducts - they can be seen if you press on the nipple area. The discharge can be very diverse (light, dark, purulent), depending on the severity of the condition and the extent of the pathology;
• palpation of the lymph nodes in the armpit area - not observed in everyone, only 1-10% of patients, but this symptom should also be paid attention to.

These signs are not necessarily present all at once: sometimes the disease is limited to one or two symptoms.

In addition to the above symptoms, an increase in the size of one or two glands may be observed: they are sensitive and painful to the touch. This is associated with breast swelling, which appears depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle, which is due to an increase in the level of hormones in the blood.

Along with this, headaches, swelling in the legs and body, dyspeptic symptoms, and psychoemotional disorders (irritability, inadequate reactions similar to premenstrual symptoms) may be present. As a rule, such symptoms are relieved from the first days of the monthly cycle.

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Forms

Fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands

Let's look at the differences between cystic and fibrocystic mastopathy.

Cystic mastopathy is accompanied by the appearance of a different number of peculiar nodes with liquid contents - cysts, with clear contours and a soft structure. The appearance of cysts is accompanied by pain, especially immediately before the onset of critical days.

In the fibrocystic form of mastopathy, there is excessive growth of connective tissue, which contributes to the appearance of multiple small cystic tumors. This form is accompanied by a chaotic arrangement of cysts, and they can also appear on both glands at the same time. Cysts contain a transparent liquid, but puncture is not always possible: often the formations are too small, and it is quite difficult to get into them with a needle.

Soreness in the mammary glands can spread to the upper limbs, shoulders, and armpits.

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Diagnostics cystic mastopathy of the breast

It is advisable to conduct a breast examination from the 4th to the 12th day of the monthly cycle, since on other days, due to natural physiological processes occurring in the mammary gland, there is a risk of erroneous diagnosis.

Initial diagnostics of cystic mastopathy consists of an external examination of the breast. The doctor pays attention to the color of the skin, the shape of the breast, the differences between the healthy and affected breast. Then the doctor begins to palpate the breast, first in a vertical position, and then in a horizontal position. In addition to the breast, the axillary region is also palpated to determine the condition of the lymph nodes.

Ultrasound examination is the next stage of correct diagnostics. A harmless but quite informative method that determines the state of epithelial tissue and provides the opportunity to simultaneously examine the nearest lymph nodes.

Mammography is also a very common procedure similar to X-ray examination: an image of the gland is taken, demonstrating whether there are tumors in this area. However, this method is not recommended for women under 40, as well as pregnant and lactating patients.

Often, in case of mastopathy, a diagnostic puncture is prescribed, which can also be used for therapeutic purposes. In this case, the cystic contents are sucked out with a thin needle, after which the walls of the cavity are glued together, and the cyst gradually dissolves.

Discharge from the milk ducts is also subjected to cytological analysis.

After making and confirming the diagnosis, the doctor begins to develop a treatment plan for mastopathy.

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Treatment cystic mastopathy of the breast

Treatment of cystic mastopathy consists of several stages.

1. Change in dietary principles. Numerous studies have shown that in order to reduce pain and swelling of the mammary glands, it is important to exclude from the diet foods that provoke the growth of fibrous tissue and the formation of liquid contents in the cyst. Such foods include strong tea, coffee, chocolate products, drinks such as cola or Pepsi. In addition, many experts associate the occurrence of mammary gland diseases with poor bowel function: constipation, disruption of bacterial flora. In this regard, doctors recommend that in case of mastopathy, you should mainly eat foods rich in fiber (fruit, vegetable dishes, seasoned with herbs), and also drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day. You should limit the consumption of alcohol and fatty foods - foods that negatively affect hormonal levels.
2. Correct selection of underwear. For those patients who often suffer from mastopathy, specialists recommend paying attention to the selection of a bra, taking into account all the parameters of the breast. The wrong shape and size of the cups can squeeze the breast, deform it. This is especially true for those who have large breasts.
3. Vitamin therapy. It is prescribed to normalize hormone levels, strengthen the immune system, and normalize the function of the endocrine system. It is especially important to take vitamins of group B, as well as A, E, and ascorbic acid.
4. Prescribing diuretics. Mastopathy is often combined with swelling of both the breast and the extremities, which requires prescribing mild diuretics. In this situation, it is better to use herbal diuretic teas, as well as eliminate or sharply limit the amount of salt in the diet.
5. Prescribing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (diclofenac, nise). They help fight pain syndrome, which especially increases before critical days. Such drugs cannot be used for a long time.
6. Prescribing sedatives. Such drugs are prescribed to combat stress, which is one of the factors contributing to the development of mastopathy. Valerian or motherwort preparations, soothing teas and infusions are used.
7. Hormonal treatment. Of course, the development and functions of the mammary gland are impossible without the action of a number of hormones. First of all, these are estrogens and progesterone. However, sometimes the influence of these hormones becomes excessive, which leads to abnormal growth of some tissues of the gland. In order to reduce their effect, so-called antihormones are prescribed - drugs that reduce the bioactivity of estrogens. Such drugs include toremifene and tamoxifen. Oral contraceptives (Zhanin, Marvelon) can be used for the same purpose, which suppress the production of steroids, androgens, estrogens, stabilizing significant fluctuations in hormonal levels in the body. However, contraceptives do not work effectively in all cases of cystic mastopathy, so sometimes the doctor has to reconsider such a prescription. The doctor can prescribe gestagens - progesterone drugs (utrogestan, duphaston, etc.), which restrain the growth of the cystic formation with subsequent gradual regression. In addition, antiprolactins (parlodel), androgens (methyltestosterone), and gonadotropin antagonists (zoladex, buserelin) are often prescribed.
8. Homeopathic therapy. Many homeopathic remedies are deservedly successful in the treatment of cystic mastopathy: they effectively reduce the amount of prolactin, while not causing side effects and having virtually no contraindications. Such drugs include remens, cyclodinone, mastodinone.
9. Prescribing iodine preparations for thyroid dysfunction. Of course, such preparations are effective for hypothyroidism, but cannot be prescribed for autoimmune thyroiditis or thyrotoxicosis. Among such preparations, we can highlight iodomarin and mamoklam.
10. Surgical treatment of cystic mastopathy is prescribed when drug treatment is ineffective or when there is a suspicion of the development of oncological pathology.

Of course, the choice of treatment may depend on many features, both of the patient and the course of the disease. Therefore, you should not make a decision about treatment on your own: trust a good specialist.

Prevention

To prevent cystic mastopathy, it is necessary to adhere to the following rules:

• do not overexert yourself either physically or mentally – get enough rest, get enough sleep, avoid psycho-emotional conflicts and quarrels;
• review your diet (eat healthy foods rich in vitamins and fiber, avoid alcohol, smoked foods, salty foods, fatty foods, and fast food);
• improve your sex life;
• review your wardrobe: get rid of uncomfortable and synthetic underwear, giving preference to soft and comfortable bras made from natural fabrics;
• periodically visit a gynecologist to examine the condition of the mammary glands and the reproductive system as a whole;
• fight excess weight, which is a factor that provokes metabolic disorders in the body.

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Forecast

The prognosis for cystic mastopathy of the mammary gland is usually favorable. But if the disease is not treated, it progresses over time, especially making itself known after 30 years. Of course, the earlier you start treatment, the more positive the prognosis will be.

Cystic mastopathy of the mammary gland can be a harbinger of a more dangerous pathology – breast cancer. For this reason, treatment should be started on time and, what is important, completed, following the recommendations of a qualified doctor. This is the only way to preserve the health of your breasts and prevent more serious diseases.

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