Inflammation of a breast cyst

The cyst can transform into a malignant tumor, this applies to atypical types of breast cysts. Infection is also common, that is, the appearance of inflammation of the breast cyst.

A breast cyst is a cavity formation, or, more simply, a sac filled with fluid. The cyst has a shell - a capsule, which consists of connective tissue. Cysts can be single (solitary) or multiple.

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Causes inflammation of a breast cyst

A woman's breast is a beautiful aesthetic and functional organ consisting of special glandular, fatty and glandular tissues. Its very structure initially suggests the concentration of a liquid medium in the ducts. As a rule, a breast cyst is a benign neoplasm caused by the pulsation of hormonal levels in a woman's body. This pathology can "sleep" for many years, but its progression is marked by pain symptoms. It rarely becomes malignant, that is, degenerates into a malignant tumor. But inflammation of a breast cyst, especially if it occurs with the formation of infiltrates, significantly increases the risk of a negative transformation.

The catalyst for the formation of cysts in the mammary gland is an excess of such a hormone as estrogen, produced by the ovaries, in the woman's body. It is its excessive production that triggers the mechanism of cystic-fibrous transformation in the mammary glands. Endocrine changes can also be the primary cause of the tumor. The causes of inflammation of the mammary gland cyst can be hidden in its infection - one of the complications of the cyst. The inflammatory process can be catalyzed by:

• Any disease of an inflammatory nature: viral infection, flu, and so on.
• Trauma to the mammary gland area, if it has already acquired a cyst.
• General weakness of the body, decreased immunity.
• Thermal impact on the cyst or polycystic disease: visiting a bathhouse or sauna, using warming compresses. Long stays in the open sun (especially topless).
• Incorrectly selected underwear.
• Severe hypothermia of the body.
• Consequences of surgical intervention.
• Failure to observe basic hygiene rules, especially when a woman is breastfeeding.
• During lactation – stagnation of milk in the mammary glands.
• Cracks and abrasions in the nipple area.

Inflammation of a breast cyst can also be a consequence of:

• The presence of any inflammatory processes in the body – respiratory diseases, flu, tonsillitis, and so on.
• Trauma or blows to the chest.
• General weakening of the body's immunity.
• Thermal effects on the mammary gland - compresses, baths or saunas.

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Symptoms inflammation of a breast cyst

A small breast cyst does not bother a woman in any way. But as the cyst grows, painful sensations appear in the breast. The pain is associated with the menstrual cycle in women and begins to intensify before menstrual bleeding. After the menstruation, the painful sensations go away. The pain is characterized by aching, pulling or bursting moments.

Inflammation of a breast cyst manifests itself in the following symptoms:

• The occurrence of pain regardless of menstrual bleeding, that is, periodically appearing and subsiding or constant.
• The pain becomes more pronounced and changes to twitching or pulsating. It happens that the pain becomes so strong that women cannot sleep peacefully.
• The appearance of fever, in which the increase in body temperature can be high, up to thirty-eight to thirty-nine degrees.
• As a consequence of fever, symptoms of intoxication of the body arise - loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, weakness and general malaise.
• The skin over the cyst becomes red and swollen, and the local temperature rises.
• In some cases, purulent discharge from the nipples may be observed.
• When palpating the breast, sharp pain is noted.

A breast cyst becomes inflamed when it exists in a woman's breast for a long time. The inflammatory process is accompanied by infection or suppuration. Infection of a breast cyst occurs as a result of various infections entering the cyst cavity through hematogenous or lymphogenous routes. An infection can also enter the cyst through cracks in the nipples.

Inflammatory processes in the cyst can lead to the development of purulent mastitis (or breast abscess). This development of the disease is characterized by the appearance of general intoxication of the body, namely an increase in general body temperature, the appearance of chills, weakness, general malaise, nausea and vomiting, headaches. Then, as the abscess develops in the chest, severe bursting pain occurs, and the skin over the abscess becomes red. At the same time, the local temperature in the area of abscess development increases, and the breast increases in volume.

Cystic neoplasm may not show itself for a long time, and only after receiving a certain push, the inflammation begins to progress. Symptoms of inflammation of the mammary gland cyst gradually appear:

• An unpleasant discomfort appears in the chest area.
• Swelling gradually appears.
• Breasts with internal pathology increase in size, their structure becomes denser. When palpated, a slightly painful swelling of the mammary glands is felt.
• There is a feeling of heaviness in the chest.
• If timely diagnosis and treatment are not carried out, infiltrates can form.
• Discharge from the nipple may be unpleasant, yellowish, brown, transparent or greenish in color.
• The woman's general condition worsens.
• If a woman is breastfeeding her baby, this process can cause her pain.
• Redness of the skin in the area of inflammation may be observed.
• If the inflammatory process has become chronic, the clinical picture becomes more intense and enlarged lymph nodes may be observed.

A woman rarely manages to diagnose this pathology herself, especially if the cyst is small. In certain body positions, it can simply hide in tissue and fat layers. But unpleasant symptoms should worry and become the reason for an unscheduled visit to a gynecologist or mammologist.

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Diagnostics inflammation of a breast cyst

If you are concerned about the condition of your mammary glands, do not delay visiting a mammologist - a specialist in this field. Diagnosis of inflammation of a mammary gland cyst includes:

• Analysis of a woman's gynecological history.
• Examination of the patient's mammary gland by palpation. Even this simple method allows an experienced specialist to determine the presence of a cystic process.
• If there is nipple discharge, it becomes possible to take a smear for analysis - an imprint. However, if we consider a specific cyst, this method is not informative enough.
• Ultrasound examination.
• Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of a cystic formation is one of the most informative methods of diagnosing the disease, since the symptoms of a cyst are quite similar to those of fibroadenoma. Diagnosis of both of these diseases is somewhat problematic. In light of various treatment methods, it is simply necessary to establish the correct cause of the pathology. Doctors classify this puncture as both a diagnostic method of examination and a therapeutic procedure for the mammary gland. After all, a cyst can already be diagnosed at the puncture stage, having assessed the volume of the “pumped out” fluid. If more than 1 ml of fluid is obtained, the presence of a cyst in a woman’s breast is confirmed.
• After taking a puncture, the doctor pays special attention to the color of the liquid. After all, it may indicate the presence or absence of an inflammatory process in the cyst, which can provoke the formation of purulent infiltrates.
• The collected material is also sent for cytological examination. After all, the presence of an inflammatory process increases the risk of a benign neoplasm degenerating into a malignant tumor.
• A combination of a cyst and a cancerous neoplasm may also be observed. Therefore, if a compaction continues to be palpated a couple of weeks after the puncture, two reasons for this picture can be considered: the treatment did not give a positive result or there is a deep pathology in the anamnesis that requires a more thorough study.

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Treatment inflammation of a breast cyst

Treatment of inflammation of the mammary gland cyst in women is carried out as follows:

• By prescribing oral antibacterial drugs.
• Intravenous administration of antibiotics.
• Use of vitamins orally and intramuscularly.
• Use of drugs that enhance immunity, orally and intramuscularly.

A breast cyst can become inflamed due to being in the breast for a long time. And in order to prevent its inflammation, it is necessary to undergo therapy, which includes:

• Hormonal treatment with gestagens and puncture of the cyst cavity. The contents inside the cavity are pumped out using a special needle and sent for cytological examination. Drugs are pumped into the cyst cavity that stimulate the adhesion of its walls.
• If inflammation of the breast cyst occurs frequently enough or malignant cells are detected, the cyst is removed surgically.

As has already been stated earlier, the treatment of the cyst itself can be completed at the diagnostic stage when taking a puncture. But the treatment of inflammation of the mammary gland cyst is carried out somewhat differently, although it is practically no different from the classic schemes of administration of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamin complexes, immunostimulants, intravenous infusions, and, if necessary, painkillers.

Nimesil. This drug is recommended for use only in adults. It is taken orally, immediately after meals. The average daily starting dosage is 0.2 g divided into two doses during the day. To prepare the solution, the granules contained in the package must be dissolved in warm water. In case of clinical need, the dosage can be adjusted both up and down. Nimesil is contraindicated for use in patients whose medical history is burdened by ulcerative pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, severe renal dysfunction, type 2 diabetes, arterial hypertension, gastric bleeding, as well as if the woman is expecting a child or breastfeeding.

Nurofen. The drug is taken orally, after meals, with large amounts of liquid. Adults are prescribed a dosage of 200-800 mg three to four times a day. If a real result is achieved, the daily dosage should be reduced to 600-800 mg. This drug should not be taken by people with heart failure, suppressed hematopoiesis, optic nerve disease, ulcerative diseases of internal organs, hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

Diclofenac. In tablets, this drug is taken orally without chewing. The tablet must be washed down with plenty of water. The daily amount of the drug taken is 0.1 - 0.15 g, which is divided into two or three doses. The daily dose for children is calculated as 1 - 2 mg per kilogram of the baby's weight.

It is common practice to apply compresses to the pathological area using a solution of dimexide (water: the drug is usually taken in a combination of 5:1). Gauze soaked in the solution is applied to the pathological area, covered with a cabbage leaf on top and wrapped.

If the inflammation has led to the appearance of purulent infiltrates, the abscess begins to progress. In this case, it is opened surgically, carefully cleaning the cavity from pus and installing drainage. In parallel, drug therapy is prescribed in the form of antibacterial drugs.

Cefepime. The drug is administered to the patient intravenously or intramuscularly (the choice of injection site depends on the sensitivity of microorganisms to the components of the drug and the condition of the kidneys). The drug is administered intravenously in case of severe forms of damage. In our case, cefepime is administered deep intramuscularly. The dosage for children weighing more than 40 kg and adults is 0.5 - 1 g (if the kidneys are functioning normally). The interval between injections is 12 hours. The minimum course of treatment is seven days. For babies from 2 months and those whose body weight has not reached 40 kg, the recommended dose is 50 mg for each full kilogram of the child. At the same time, the daily dosage for this category of patients should not exceed the "adult" amount of the drug.

Taking the drug may cause side effects: headaches, nausea, changes in taste preferences, dizziness, vomiting, impaired renal function, diarrhea, skin rash, vaginitis, tachycardia and many other symptoms.

Ceftriaxone. This drug, like the previous one, is administered intravenously or intramuscularly. The recommended dose for children over 12 years of age and adults is 1-2 g of the drug once a day. You can also take half the dose at 12-hour intervals. But you should not exceed 4 g of the drug taken during the day. For newborns (up to 2 weeks old), the amount of the drug is calculated from 20 to 50 mg per kilogram of weight. For infants and toddlers under 12 years of age, the amount of the drug is calculated: 20-80 mg per kilogram of the baby's weight. If the child weighs more than 50 kg, the recommended dose of the drug corresponds to the adult dosage.

The only contraindications to ceftriaxone are hypersensitivity to one or more components of the drug.

If necessary, the doctor prescribes painkillers.

Analgin. Adults are prescribed this medicine in a dosage of one tablet two to three times a day. The maximum daily dosage should not exceed six tablets (3 g). Small patients are prescribed analgin at a rate of 5-10 mg per kilogram of body weight. It is recommended to take three to four doses per day. The course of therapy is no more than three days. For babies, the tablet must be thoroughly crushed.

You should not take this drug in case of hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to one or more components of analgin. It is contraindicated in bronchial asthma, blood diseases, severe forms of renal and hepatic dysfunction, suppression of hematopoiesis, during pregnancy and lactation.

As a vitamin and mineral complex, you can offer Multifort or Vitrum.

Vitrum. The prescribed vitamin remedy is taken after meals. It is necessary to take one tablet per day. The drug is allowed for patients over 12 years old. Contraindications, in addition to the patient's age, may include individual intolerance to the drug or hypervitaminosis A.

Immunomodulators are suitable as immune-supporting drugs:

Echinacea. The tablet is placed in the oral cavity and dissolved. Children over 12 years old and adult patients should take one tablet three to four times a day; if a therapeutic effect is achieved, the intake of Echinacea should be reduced to one tablet once a week. The course of treatment should not exceed eight days.

Contraindications and side effects of this drug have not been thoroughly studied, so it is not recommended to use it in the treatment schedules of pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Immunal. Before using the drug, the required amount should be diluted with a small amount of water. Patients over 12 years of age should take Immunal three times orally, 2.5 ml. For children aged 6 to 12 years, the dosage is reduced to 1.5 ml of suspension. The number of doses remains the same. The dosage for children from one to six years is even less and is 1 g, taken three times a day.

Contraindications to the drug include individual intolerance to the components of the immune system, autoimmune diseases, and a tendency to allergic reactions.

If medically necessary, the attending physician may prescribe sedative medications.

Tenoten. The lozenge is taken twice a day, one to two tablets at a time. If necessary, the drug can be taken up to four times a day. The duration of treatment, if necessary, can be up to three months or more.

Valerian. Water (for small patients) and water-alcohol extract of valerian are taken orally, regardless of meal time. The dosage (from 100 to 600 mg) is strictly individual and should be adjusted by a doctor. Valerian teas can also be used.

Self-medication of inflammation of the mammary gland cyst is not worth it - this is fraught with even greater complications that can lead a woman to cancer. In this situation, it would be right to seek help from a mammologist-oncologist who will conduct a comprehensive examination, make a diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Prevention

In the early stages of the pathology, it is quite difficult to recognize and diagnose a cyst (especially on your own). But you can try to protect your body from this "misfortune" as much as possible.

Prevention of inflammation of the mammary gland cyst includes:

• It is necessary to undergo regular examination by a mammologist (at least once a year).
• Undergo ultrasound examination of the mammary glands periodically.
• Blood tests for hormones would also be useful.
• Avoid injury.
• During the period of breastfeeding, you need to carefully express milk to avoid stagnation.
• After feeding, wash your breasts with warm water and wrap them to protect them from hypothermia.
• Choose the right comfortable underwear, preferably made from natural material.
• Maintain your immune system at a proper level.
• You should not overuse the solarium and sauna, limit the time of exposure to direct sunlight (topless sunbathing is especially dangerous).

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Forecast

With timely and effective treatment, the prognosis for inflammation of the mammary gland cyst is quite favorable. If the necessary therapy has been carried out, relapses occur quite rarely. If adequate measures have not been taken, the inflammatory process progresses and can lead to the degeneration of a benign tumor into a malignant tumor, suppuration and the formation of abscesses.

Breasts are a woman's dignity, her belonging to the caste of the chosen ones, chosen to give birth and feed a new little person. But to fulfill her mission, she needs to pay more attention to her health. Therefore, to prevent inflammation of the mammary gland cyst, you should not neglect regular examinations by a doctor - a mammologist. And if you feel discomfort in the chest area, especially, you should not postpone a visit to him.

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