Cystic mastopathy of the mammary glands: causes and methods of treatment. Fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands - treatment Cystic mastopathy of the mammary glands how to treat

The main cause of mastopathy and other benign diseases of the female mammary glands are considered to be hormonal disorders in the body. A woman develops frightening symptoms: lumps and pain in the chest. Unlike cancerous tumors, the development of benign neoplasms, as a rule, occurs quite slowly, which makes it possible to notice the occurrence of diffuse cystic mastopathy and other types of similar pathologies in the early stages. It is necessary, with the help of a doctor, to understand the intricacies of the problem in a timely manner in order to choose a treatment method.

Content:

What is the disease

Mastopathy is a disease in which the development of mammary gland tissue is disrupted, which leads to pathological painful changes in their condition. There are various options for the development of pathology. Disorders of cell development occur in any one tissue (connective, adipose or glandular); it is also possible to change the structure of two tissues at once with the predominant growth of one of them. Mastopathy is divided into many types depending on the nature of these changes, the degree of development of the pathology and the localization of tumor nodes.

If there are one or more nodes in any one part of the gland, they speak of nodular mastopathy. If multiple neoplasms are scattered throughout the gland, then mastopathy is called diffuse. This type of pathology includes adenosis (proliferation of the epithelium of lobules and ducts), fibroadenomatosis (replacement of glandular tissue with fibrous tissue), as well as cystic mastopathy.

A characteristic feature of diffuse cystic mastopathy is the formation of numerous cystic cavities inside the mammary gland. Depending on what tissue grows with the formation of voids, the following types of pathology are distinguished:

• diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy (predominantly fibrous tissue grows in the gland, cysts form in it);
• diffuse glandular cystic mastopathy (cysts form in the growing glandular tissue).

Cysts are filled with fluid. They can increase in size and cause complications, such as suppuration of the contents, rupture of the cyst. Mastopathy of this type is considered the most dangerous, since there is a possibility of a benign disease turning into cancer.

This pathology is most often found in women aged 30-50 years, very rarely at an earlier age. After menopause, hormonal changes are no longer so significant, so the disease does not occur.

Cystic cavities appear in one breast, sometimes they form in both.

Video: What is mastopathy. Pain relief and prevention measures

Causes of cystic mastopathy

Diffuse cystic mastopathy is considered a hormone-dependent disease. The main cause is a violation of the ratio of female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen stimulates tissue proliferation. Progesterone counteracts this process.

The pathology occurs due to a deficiency of progesterone in the body. The reasons for improper hormone production can be:

1. Diseases of the ovaries, brain (hypothalamic-pituitary department), thyroid gland and other hormone-producing organs. As a result of a malfunction in their work, hyperestrogenia (excess estrogen) occurs, as well as hyperprolactinemia (excess prolactin). This leads to a lack of progesterone.
2. Inflammatory, infectious and tumor diseases of the genital organs, the consequences of which can be disruption of the menstrual cycle and the occurrence of hormonal imbalance.
3. Metabolic disorders, liver diseases, diabetes.
4. Obesity. Adipose tissue is capable of producing estrogens, so an increase in its volume contributes to the formation of an excess of these hormones in the body.
5. Pregnancy and childbirth. These processes are associated with sudden changes in hormonal levels, which can contribute to the development of diffuse mastopathy.
6. Abortions and miscarriages lead to a sharp interruption of natural changes in hormonal levels.
7. Use of contraceptives or therapeutic hormonal drugs with a high content of estrogen.

There is a high probability of hormonal disorders occurring in women who have experienced psychological trauma and are in a state of depression.

Addition: The occurrence of mastopathy is facilitated by trauma to the mammary glands, including constant compression by a tight bra, which impairs blood circulation.

At risk are women who have not breastfed, as well as those who have unstable hormonal levels due to irregular sex life. The genetic factor plays an important role in the occurrence of the disease.

Video: Causes, symptoms, prevention of breast diseases

Symptoms and signs of cystic mastopathy

One of the first signs of the disease is enlargement of the mammary glands and the occurrence of nagging pain in them. If such signs appear before menstruation and disappear after them, then the woman considers them normal, but increased discomfort should be a reason to visit a mammologist.

When palpating the breast with diffuse cystic mastopathy, compactions may be detected that do not have definite boundaries. They can be located in any part of the mammary gland. Small cysts located in the depths are usually not palpable.

Manifestations of hyperprolactinemia are the release of colostrum or milk from the nipples during a period not associated with postpartum breastfeeding. If mastopathy occurs in one of the mammary glands, then you can notice the appearance of asymmetry of the nipples and a difference in their size.

Note: With mastopathy, there are no changes in the skin (lemon peel does not form), and there is no enlargement of the axillary lymph nodes, which distinguishes the disease from cancer.

Diagnostics

To detect lumps and establish the presence of cystic mastopathy, the mammologist first performs palpation of the breast and an external examination.

Mammography. Using x-rays, the presence and location of cysts are determined and their size is assessed. The examination is usually carried out on days 6-12 of the cycle, when the breasts are soft and there is the least tension in them. This method is used to examine women over 35 years of age, when the body’s sensitivity to the effects of radiation decreases. The method has one more drawback: it is impossible to perform a mammogram if the breast is small in size.

Ultrasound of the mammary glands. Allows you to notice all changes in tissues. The method is completely safe, so it can be used to examine women of any age.

Nipple swab analysis. A cytological examination of the released fluid is performed to check for the absence of atypical cells and confirm the safe nature of the disease.

Blood tests. They are carried out to determine the content of various hormones. Analysis for tumor markers makes it possible to verify the benign quality of the process.

Biopsy. A special needle is used to remove tissue from the lumps to detect cancer cells.

Treatment

For diffuse cystic mastopathy, treatment is most often carried out conservatively. Only in case of extensive damage and there is a real danger of the pathology degenerating into cancer, surgical methods are used.

Conservative treatment

Its goal is to restore hormonal levels, eliminate inflammatory processes, strengthen the immune system, and restore normal functioning of the nervous system. To achieve results, medications of various effects are used.

Elimination of hormonal imbalance. To increase progesterone levels and prevent the growth of cysts, drugs such as utrozhestan and duphaston are used. Elimination of hyperprolactinemia is achieved with the help of antiprolactins (such as parlodel). To suppress the production of pituitary hormones that stimulate the formation of estrogens in the ovaries, buserelin and zoladex are used.

Estrogen levels are reduced by increasing the concentration of the male sex hormone testosterone in a woman’s blood. Methyltestosterone is used for this. Women are also prescribed birth control pills with a high content of progesterone, such as Janine, Marvelon.

If it is determined that the cause of diffuse cystic mastopathy is hypothyroidism (thyroid disease), then iodine preparations (iodomarin) are prescribed. To restore the balance of hormones, homeopathic medicines such as Remens and Mastodinon are also used.

Anti-inflammatory drugs. For pain in the mammary glands that occurs due to mastopathy, non-steroidal drugs (diclofenac, ibuprofen, tenoxicam) are prescribed, which are taken in short courses.

Diuretics. They are used to accelerate the removal of fluid from the body, relieve swelling and reduce pain. Leron and furosemide are used.

Vitamins. Vitamins A, C, E and group B are necessary for tissue regeneration.

Physiotherapy methods are often used (magnetic therapy, electrophoresis, reflexology and others).

Folk remedies

For the treatment of diffuse cystic mastopathy, traditional medicine recommends using compresses that promote the resorption of cysts and reduce pain, for example a compress of ground fresh cabbage mixed with yogurt. Applying grated raw beets to the chest has a good pain-relieving effect. It can be mixed with honey.

As a means of increasing immunity and helping to restore hormonal levels, it is recommended to take tinctures or decoctions of propolis, elecampane, echinacea, and red brush. For example, to prepare an infusion of red brush, take 1 tbsp. l. herbs for 1 cup of boiling water. Drink the infusion in 3 doses. Treatment is carried out for 10 days.

Such means are used only as auxiliaries. You must first consult your doctor.

Surgery

The doctor makes the decision to perform an operation and the extent of intervention taking into account the size of the affected area, the degree of changes in the glands, the danger they pose, as well as the age of the patient. If possible, partial removal of the affected area of ​​the gland is carried out, followed by histological examination of the material. In case of extensive damage to the mammary glands, complete removal is performed.

Doctors warn that the use of tight synthetic underwear contributes to the development of mastopathy. With this disease, any thermal procedures, exposure to the sun, or the application of warm compresses are prohibited.

Treatment should only be prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication leads to loss of time necessary to eliminate the disease at an early stage and the development of severe complications.

The most important measure to prevent the occurrence of cystic mastopathy is regular breast self-examination.

After 30 years, every woman should conduct an independent breast examination at least once a month, and also regularly visit a mammologist. This will allow compactions to be detected at an early stage and their nature to be established. The diagnosis of “mastopathy” causes fear in women, as it is associated with cancer. However, this benign formation rarely turns into a malignant form. At an early stage, it can be cured with medications. In some cases, lumps are eliminated surgically.

Content:

What is the disease

Fibrocystic mastopathy is a disorder of the structure of the mammary gland, formed due to the pathological proliferation of glandular and fibrous tissue and the appearance of voids (cysts) filled with fluid. There are diffuse forms of mastopathy (extensive damage to breast tissue) and nodular ones (one or more lumps that do not have clear boundaries).

Seals may form with a predominance of one tissue (glandular, connective). Sometimes cystic neoplasms occur (with a predominance of voids). Mixed mastopathy often occurs.

The disease can be recognized by the following symptoms:

1. Swelling of the mammary gland, pain. This condition is easily confused with premenstrual tension of the gland, when pain also appears, which subsequently goes away.
2. Change in shape, asymmetrical arrangement of nipples.
3. The appearance of compactions with unclear boundaries, not fused to the skin, which distinguishes them from cancerous tumors.

Causes of the disease

The causes of mastopathy are hormonal disorders associated with diseases of the ovaries, thyroid gland, adrenal glands and pituitary gland. Hormones are produced here that are responsible for the functionality of the reproductive system and the condition of the mammary glands (estrogen, progesterone, prolactin). The disease occurs when there is an abnormal decrease in progesterone levels due to an increase in estrogen or prolactin levels. Most often the disease occurs in women of reproductive age (30-50 years). At the same time, an abnormal disturbance in the composition of hormones cannot always be noticed against the background of natural age-related changes. Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention to the appearance of any unusual symptoms, especially when lumps are detected.

It should be noted: Women who are overweight are at risk. Obesity not only indicates a hormonal imbalance, but also makes it difficult to detect lumps by palpation.

To treat fibrocystic mastopathy, it is necessary to eliminate the causes that caused hormonal imbalance. The most common ones are:

• diseases of the stomach and intestines;
• liver diseases;
• diabetes.

The causes of hormonal disorders can be interrupted pregnancy or refusal to breastfeed. The factor of heredity is important, as well as the influence of environmental problems and stressful situations.

Video: Causes, treatment and prevention of fibrocystic mastopathy

Diagnosis of FC mastopathy

In order to choose a method of getting rid of fibrocystic mastopathy, an examination is carried out using the following methods:

• mammography (x-ray examination of lumps);
• laboratory blood test for hormone levels;
• ultrasound examination (ultrasound) of the mammary glands;
• biopsy (tissue collection from the lump using a thin needle and subsequent examination of its composition);
• pneumocystography (study of fluid filling cysts).

Important: Most often, a careful examination of the mammary glands, carried out independently, allows timely treatment to begin. You need to know how to carry it out correctly in order to detect individual lumps and enlarged axillary lymph nodes.

Treatment of FC mastopathy

There are 2 methods of treating fibrocystic mastopathy:

1. Conservative. It is carried out with the help of hormonal drugs, general medications, and diet.
2. Surgical removal of diseased tissue.

Conservative treatment involves normalizing hormonal ratios and reducing the size of the lumps. Depending on the cause of the disease, the patient is referred for examination to a gynecologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist or other specialist.

Restoring hormonal balance

It consists primarily of eliminating the disease that caused the hormonal imbalance. Stabilizing the condition of the endocrine glands and gastrointestinal tract helps prevent the appearance of new formations, reduce the size of existing ones, and reduce or eliminate pain.

Treatment with hormonal drugs is prescribed individually and is carried out under the supervision of a doctor. Medicines are used in the form of tablets, injections or gels applied to the mammary gland. Women under 35 years of age may be prescribed hormonal contraceptives.

It should be emphasized: Treatment is carried out strictly as prescribed by the doctor, since uncontrolled use of hormonal drugs can cause menstrual irregularities, obesity and other complications.

Video: What to eat for fibrocystic mastopathy

Drug treatment

The following drugs are used:

1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers (Ibuprofen, Diclofenac). Relieving pain helps restore sleep.
2. Vitamin complexes to strengthen the immune system.
3. Homeopathic remedies are also taken to strengthen the body's defenses (Mastopol, Mastodinon).
4. Antidepressants and sleeping pills. They are prescribed for depression, irritability, insomnia (signs accompanying fibrocystic mastopathy).
5. Diuretics. They are taken to eliminate swelling of the breast tissue that occurs with mastopathy. Under the influence of these drugs, the outflow of blood through the veins improves, and its circulation in the tissues of the mammary gland improves. Increased excretion of urine leads to a decrease in the content of potassium and magnesium in the blood. Without these elements, normal functioning of the cardiovascular and nervous systems is impossible. Therefore, diuretics are usually taken simultaneously with drugs containing these elements.
6. Iodine preparations. It is especially important to use them in the initial stage of treatment. They improve the functioning of the thyroid gland. The hormones that are produced in it are necessary for the normal functioning of the reproductive system and regulation of the menstrual cycle.

The role of dietary nutrition in FC mastopathy

The therapeutic diet includes fortified foods with a reduced content of carbohydrates and fats. It is necessary to improve the functioning of the digestive system. It is recommended to consume seafood (algae, fish, shellfish, caviar) containing iodine. Walnuts and mushrooms are high in this microelement.

You can use traditional medicine recipes for preparing decoctions to improve sleep, relieve pain, and also have a diuretic effect, containing iodine and other useful elements.

The use of thermal procedures, including physiotherapy, in the treatment of FC mastopathy is not recommended, as they can intensify inflammatory processes.

Video: The importance of diet for mastopathy

Surgical treatment of FC mastopathy

Fibrocystic mastopathy, treatment of which with conservative methods does not bring results, is eliminated surgically. Surgical removal of affected tissue is prescribed in the following cases:

• rapid growth of the tumor occurs;
• treatment with medications is not possible due to diabetes mellitus;
• a biopsy reveals malignant degeneration;
• there is a genetic predisposition to breast cancer.

During the operation, a separate sector of the mammary gland is removed, in which cysts and lumps are found (sectoral resection). The operation is performed within 40 minutes under general anesthesia.

After the operation, antibiotics and vitamins are prescribed. As necessary, pain relief and sedatives are administered. Hormonal treatment may be used to prevent relapses. In this case, the woman needs to treat the underlying disease that caused the imbalance of hormones with the help of appropriate medications prescribed by a specialist.

Content

Women's ailments add to the global problems of current medicine; they are identified in 30-40% of young ladies 20-40 years old. For example, if a lump is felt in the breast, the doctor suspects that the patient is developing fibrocystic mastopathy. If such a dangerous disease is detected in time, it can be quickly cured.

Causes of fibrocystic mastopathy

At first, the young lady does not notice the “pea” in her chest, but it grows, first causing discomfort, and then a cutting sensation. At an unscheduled appointment with a mammologist, it is important to determine the focus of the pathology and find out in detail the main causes of fibrocystic mastopathy. The prerequisites for the next relapse are determined by the specific form and stage of the disease.

Diffuse

With DFCM, individual areas are affected, and punctate cysts with water grow in the inflamed area. The presence of a cystic structure proves that the presence of foreign tissue in the diseased gland is possible, which is ideally impossible. If the presence of diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy is suspected, the main prerequisites for the abnormal process are as follows:

• dyshormonal imbalance;
• menopause;
• bad heredity;
• chest injuries;
• disruption of the body’s “filter”;
• improper use of COCs;
• thyroid dysfunction.

Nodal

When making a diagnosis, there are local lesions in the mammary gland, i.e. The pathological process does not spread to some tissues. The nodular form of fibrocystic mastopathy has become an increasing form of the diffuse variety, letting the doctor know that there is still an imbalance in the milk ducts. “Peas” have clearly defined boundaries and are formed at the nodes of the initial form of the disease. The main prerequisites for such internal imbalance are as follows:

• hormonal changes;
• prolonged depression;
• previous abortions;
• diabetes;
• women's illnesses;
• obesity of one of the stages;
• destructive habits;
• intestinal dysbiosis;
• hepatitis of one of the forms.

Mixed

With this form of the disease, one clinical picture revealed simultaneously fibrosis, cystosis and adenosis. Fibrocystic mastopathy of mixed type is a tumor of a benign nature, which predominates in reproductively active young ladies, and is subject to complete excision by surgical methods. The causes of the pathology are not fully understood; the following anomalies of the female body are the prerequisites:

• chest injury;
• dyshormonal imbalance;
• gynecological diagnoses;
• heredity;
• violations of glandular structures.

Double-sided

With this diagnosis, the foci of pathology are aggravated on both sides, the woman can feel not a single pea in the gland. Fibrocystic mastopathy of both mammary glands has become a complicated stage of a characteristic disease that is difficult to treat with medication. The first cause of the pathology was a hormonal imbalance, when there is an excess of estrogen and a lack of progesterone.

Fibrocystic mastopathy - symptoms

The first signs of FCM are noticeable during a routine examination of the mammary glands - by palpation for abnormal neoplasms. Some patients learn about the diagnosis only when undergoing a medical examination for work; such a diagnosis becomes unpleasant news. Over time, the signs of fibrocystic mastopathy begin to intensify, and at the site of the pathogenic compaction, hyperemia of the skin and pain when palpated are noticeable. The remaining symptoms also remind us of themselves, and their intensity depends on the specifics of the endocrine system.

Pain

Not all patients know what mastopathy is, but learn about the pathology when they feel acute chest pain, which either recedes or attacks again with renewed vigor at any age. The nature and frequency of pain in fibrocystic mastopathy can only be determined individually: for some it is cutting, for others it is more aching, and for others it resembles shooting to the chest.

In addition, the patient feels compression in the chest, which also becomes a source of torment. If we talk about the intensity of the pain syndrome, it intensifies every month before the scheduled arrival of menstruation, when planned dishormonal disorders predominate in the body of an adult young lady. With FCM, not only the bust hurts, but also the inflamed lymph nodes.

Discharge

Depending on the characteristics of the hormonal background, colostrum can be squeezed out of the nipples. In fact, discharge from fibrocystic mastopathy is pathological in nature, differs in color and smell, and may contain bloody impurities. Their intensity depends on hormonal changes: in some women, fluid is released when pressing on the nipple, in others - spontaneously. The putrid odor of the discharge determines the presence of a pathological process in the mammary glands.

Sonographic signs

Using an ultrasound, the doctor examines the cystic wall in a section, determines the presence of a tubercle, its location and size. Fibrocystic mastopathy on ultrasound is represented by darkening, so in most clinical pictures this diagnostic method is not very informative. Additionally, you can study the condition of neighboring lymph nodes for inflammation and malignant neoplasms. After 35 years, doctors recommend doing mammography to obtain more reliable information about the characteristic disease.

How to treat fibrocystic mastopathy of the breast

You can get rid of the source of pathology using conservative or surgical methods. Many women ask the main question whether fibrocystic mastopathy can be cured. If you respond to the problem in a timely manner and select an adequate treatment regimen, the patient’s final recovery without health complications in the future is possible.

Drugs

At the early stage of treatment, doctors offer synthetic hormones, antibiotics and homeopathic remedies to ensure positive dynamics of the disease. Effective medications for fibrocystic mastopathy are selected by the doctor; home self-medication is dangerous to health. The following medications should be included in the complex treatment regimen for FCM:

Vitamins

Treatment of FCM has a comprehensive approach. Vitamins for fibrocystic mastopathy are an integral component of intensive therapy, and doctors place special emphasis on vitamins A, E, B6, P, PP, C. Such organic compounds additionally relieve swelling of the glands, accelerate the regeneration process, stimulate blood flow, strengthen the immune system, and accelerate recovery of the body after illness.

Massage

For greater productivity, drug treatment methods should be supplemented with physiotherapeutic procedures. Massage is especially effective for fibrocystic mastopathy, where the primary goal of the session is to determine the focus of the pathology and eliminate swelling. With simple movements you can return the functioning of the mammary gland to normal, thereby eliminating alarming symptoms and preventing mastitis and malignant neoplasms.

Removal of fibrocystic mastopathy

If conservative methods prove useless in treatment, the surgeon resorts to surgery. The main task is the removal of fibrocystic mastopathy, which is performed under general anesthesia. The operation is carried out in two stages - excision of the pathology focus, elimination of fatty tissue around the vein. In complicated clinical situations, it is necessary to remove part of the pectoral muscle, but this happens extremely rarely.

Diet

It is important not only to take pills, but also to eat right. Breast mastopathy requires complex treatment. The doctor monitors the positive dynamics. Therapeutic nutrition for fibrocystic mastopathy should be prepared lean and bland, so it is important to completely exclude fatty, spicy, fried, smoked and salty foods from the daily diet. It is better to eat boiled meat, poultry, fish, dairy and fermented milk products.

Traditional treatment of fibrocystic mastopathy

Doctors prescribe medications strictly according to indications. Treatment of fibrocystic mastopathy with folk remedies is only an auxiliary therapy that accelerates the process of tissue regeneration. The first thing you need to do is make sure there are no contraindications, enlist the support of doctors, and choose the right medicinal herbs. This is an effective method of intensive therapy, available to the patient at home. If fibrocystic breast disease progresses, effective recipes are as follows:

1. Dissolve a matchbox of propolis in 500 ml of vodka and leave for 2 weeks. Use as compresses, apply to the sore breast up to 2-3 times a day.
2. Boil the pumpkin in water, mash with a fork, place while warm on gauze and apply to the suspected site of pathology. Perform the procedure at night.
3. Mash a fresh burdock leaf to release the juice. Tape it to the sore chest for several hours. Take up to 4-5 times daily doses.

Herbs

Herbal medicine also relieves inflammation and alleviates the patient’s general condition. When choosing effective herbal remedies for fibrocystic mastopathy, it is recommended to pay attention to the following natural ingredients: immortelle, cinquefoil, immortelle, agrimony, wormwood. In limited quantities, plant poisons such as mistletoe, celandine, and hemlock can be used. Red brush, aloe, and echinacea have immunostimulating properties.

Why is fibrocystic mastopathy dangerous?

Cystic fibrous mastopathy is a benign neoplasm of the mammary glands. Without treatment or improperly selected therapy, the tumor can become malignant. This disease is dangerously fatal for the patient. To exclude complications, before treatment, doctors give an injection and take a puncture to reliably determine the nature of the pathology. Fibrous mastopathy of the mammary glands is a curable disease, the main thing is not to start the pathological process.

Fibrocystic mastopathy and pregnancy

This problem especially often occurs in women when breastfeeding their baby; it provokes stagnation of milk and exacerbation of infectious processes in the mammary glands. Fibrocystic mastopathy and pregnancy are compatible and not interrelated concepts. However, it is better not to neglect the pathology, otherwise the tumor grows and can become malignant. Therefore, doctors take control of this disease of the expectant mother.

When carrying a fetus, fibrocystic mastopathy cannot be treated with conservative methods, especially antibiotics are prohibited. Otherwise, you can only harm the health of the unborn child. If fibrocystic mastopathy progresses after childbirth, the doctor recommends gentle therapy and the use of alternative medicine recipes.

Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials in the article do not encourage self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and give treatment recommendations based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

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Fibrocystic mastopathy is a benign neoplasm in the mammary gland, which is a compaction in the form of single or multiple cysts. With timely diagnosis, cystic mastopathy of the mammary glands responds well to treatment, but if such a disease worsens, this is fraught with the degeneration of a benign form into a malignant one.

Fibrocystic mastopathy is a benign neoplasm in the mammary gland

FCM occurs due to hormonal imbalance in the body. Therefore, the disease is diagnosed more often in women after pregnancy, childbirth, during menopause or menopause. An imbalance in the hormonal system, in turn, occurs under the influence of the following factors:

• early sexual life;
• late onset of menopause;
• no history of pregnancy in a woman over 40 years of age;
• frequent abortions;
• too long period of breastfeeding or complete absence of lactation;
• frequent stressful situations;
• problems with excess weight;
• disruption of the metabolic process;
• chronic diseases of the genitourinary system;
• constant use of hormonal contraceptives.

FCM will not occur only because a woman, for certain reasons, could not or did not want to breastfeed her child, or she has chronic cystitis. The causes of fibrocystic mastopathy are associated with the presence of many factors that lead to pathological changes in the endocrine system.

The risk of developing lumps in the mammary gland increases in women after the age of 40, when reproductive function gradually declines and the organs of the reproductive system begin to produce fewer hormones. The situation is aggravated by the woman’s lack of previous pregnancy or frequent medically induced miscarriages, leading to hormonal imbalances.

Too early puberty is one of the common causes of fibrocystic pathology. When girls aged 13 to 16 enter into sexual activity, the reproductive system begins to produce too many hormones that the body cannot cope with. As a result, the hormonal system malfunctions, and while this may not be particularly noticeable during reproductive age, after 40 years severe symptoms and health problems will arise.

Fibrous mastopathy is a response to the fact that severe pathological processes occur in the body, and are often provoked by chronic diseases of the genitourinary system. Therefore, timely diagnosis of any diseases and their treatment play an important role in the prevention of fibrocystic mastopathy.

How does pathology manifest itself?

Patients diagnosed with FCM should not ignore the signs of the disease and delay treatment. Mastopathy is a borderline precancerous condition, so you should consult a doctor immediately as soon as the first symptoms of the disease appear. Main signs of pathology:

• chest pain;
• nipple discharge;
• menstrual irregularities;
• the presence of lumps in the chest;
• inflammation of neighboring lymph nodes.

Chest pain is the main symptom of the disease, but this symptom is present in 90% of women; the remaining patients note the absence of this symptom, which significantly slows down the diagnosis. Discharge from the nipples looks like colostrum, and if a woman is pregnant, she may not immediately pay attention to this symptom.

FCM will not occur only because a woman, for certain reasons, could not or did not want to breastfeed her child or has cystitis that occurs in a chronic form

Menstrual irregularities are observed in later stages of mastopathy development. Although there are exceptions when all the symptoms of the disease occur simultaneously. If a woman has not previously had problems with the cyclicity of her periods and a failure occurs, but there are no other symptoms, it is necessary to undergo diagnostics. It is also possible to independently detect breast mastopathy. A woman needs to palpate her breasts daily, and if a lump is felt, this is a very alarming sign.

Symptoms of fibrocystic pathology intensify during menstruation, especially with regard to pain. The severity of pain in the mammary gland can vary. How strong this symptom will be depends on the stage of development of the disease, the presence of concomitant pathologies and the degree of pain threshold in the woman.

Discharge from the nipples is an optional symptom, although it is present in most patients. Discharge may occur at the beginning of the disease or in its later stages; often such a symptom is absent. With breast mastopathy, the discharge is thick and resembles colostrum. Their intensity may vary, but it always increases with the arrival of menstruation.

In most cases, nipple discharge is colorless, but it can be yellowish or bloody. If, with fibrocystic mastopathy, the discharge from the nipples is bloody in color, you should immediately consult a doctor. This symptom indicates the rapid development of the disease with a number of complications.

Enlarged lymph nodes located near the chest are a possible sign, but not obligatory. If lumps are palpable in the breasts, the menstrual cycle is disrupted, pain and discharge from the nipples appear, there is no need to rely on the fact that the lymph nodes are not enlarged - with this symptomatic picture, the diagnosis of fibrocystic mastopathy is confirmed in 98% of cases.

Types of pathological process

Depending on the causes of fibrocystic mastopathy, the severity of the symptomatic picture and the rate of development of pathological cells, several types of pathology are distinguished:

• diffuse;
• nodal;
• non-proliferative;
• mixed;
• bilateral.

Diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy is characterized by the rapid development of pathogenic cells; the connective tissue affected in certain places begins to quickly grow and connect, causing the compaction to occupy most of the mammary gland.

This development of mastopathy quickly leads to clogging of the canals and destroys the lobular structure of the mammary gland. With a diffuse form of mastopathy, a cyst inevitably begins to form, and in most cases more than one. According to clinical studies, the fibrous type of mastopathy can have different causes, and not the least of them is genetic predisposition. Depending on how quickly the clinical picture of the disease develops, diffuse mastopathy can be minor, moderate or severe.

The nodular type of mastopathy is characterized by the presence of foci of neoplasms that can be distributed throughout the mammary gland. Nodules on the connective tissue are clearly felt during palpation. This form of the disease is characterized by a pronounced pain syndrome, although in some patients this symptom may be absent.

The pain intensifies if you touch the lump on the chest or during the onset of menstruation. In the nodular form of the disease, enlargement of the lymph nodes is extremely rare. For the nodular fibrocystic form of pathology, the signs can be completely individual.

The non-proliferative form of mastopathy is a combination of several factors, which are characterized by the absence of a pronounced compaction in the mammary gland. There are no main signs of the disease, pathological processes in the connective tissue, its proliferation and the formation of cysts.

A characteristic manifestation of the non-proliferative form of mastopathy is swelling of the soft tissues, which is not considered a neoplasm. This type of disease is the easiest to treat and has the most favorable prognosis. However, if the pathology is not treated in a timely manner, clinical signs may worsen and degenerate into more severe forms of mastopathy.

Mastopathy is a borderline precancerous condition, so you should consult a doctor immediately as soon as the first symptoms of the disease appear

Mixed and double-sided form

Fibrocystic mastopathy of mixed type can be characterized by all the signs inherent in other forms of the pathological process in the breast. This type of disease is characterized by the formation of cysts, usually multiple, although single neoplasms are also possible. A cyst that forms on the connective tissue of the mammary gland has a capsule that is filled with liquid contents.

The mixed fibrocystic form is always accompanied by the proliferation of damaged areas of connective tissue, causing the breasts to increase in size and become asymmetrical. Along with the appearance of multiple cysts, fibroadenoma may appear - this is a round neoplasm, dense, and benign in nature. When you press on the fibroadenoma, it may move.

A mixed form of pathology occurs in cases where mastopathy was not cured in the early stages of its development. Mixed type FCM is a complication, but with adequate treatment it has a positive prognosis.

Bilateral type of fibrocystic mastopathy is the development of a pathological process in both mammary glands. Pathogenic cells damage connective tissue, clog canals, and change the structure of the lobular elements of the mammary gland. Against the background of circulatory and metabolic disorders, multiple cysts begin to form in the chest.

Bilateral cystic mastopathy has the highest likelihood of developing a malignant cancer process. This type of disease occurs when a woman ignores the symptoms of FCM and does not undergo treatment. Persistent, prolonged pathological processes lead to the development of bilateral mastopathy.

Before curing bilateral fibrocystic mastopathy, it is necessary to bring hormonal levels back to normal and identify the causes of hormone imbalance; if the pathology is caused by inflammatory processes in the organs of the genitourinary system, it is necessary to treat them first.

Is pregnancy possible?

The presence of fibrocystic mastopathy is not a contraindication to pregnancy. Rather, on the contrary, since there is a high probability that hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy will normalize the functioning of the endocrine system and the development of mastopathy will be stopped.

Lactation is a natural method of preventing the development of many pathological processes in the mammary gland, therefore, with a diagnosis of FCM, not only can you not be afraid to become pregnant, but in the future it is strongly recommended to feed your child breast milk.

Lactation helps a woman get rid of the unpleasant pain syndrome during the development of fibrocystic mastopathy and often leads to the pathological process slowing down or stopping altogether. If a woman undergoing treatment for mastopathy with hormonal drugs becomes pregnant, their use must be stopped immediately, as this can have a detrimental effect not only on the woman’s body, but also on the fetus.

If interruption of treatment threatens the rapid development of the disease and it is not possible to cancel it, the doctor will replace therapy with non-hormonal drugs. During lactation, a woman's breasts begin to produce antibodies that destroy pathogenic cells, thereby reducing the manifestation of pathology.

If a woman breastfeeds her baby for too long, and the body has already returned to normal after childbirth and stabilized hormone levels, the patient, if she is unwilling or unable to stop treatment, must undergo regular diagnostics. Excessively prolonged lactation can cause a new round of the disease and rapid growth of cysts.

The presence of fibrocystic mastopathy is not a contraindication to pregnancy

What are the consequences of lack of treatment?

With fibrocystic mastopathy, if treatment is not carried out in a timely manner, a number of complications may develop. Although this disease is considered a precursor to cancer, for the process to degenerate from benign to malignant, enough time must pass and provoking factors must be present. Faster than the oncological process, untreated fibrocystic pathology leads to complications in the functioning of the body, especially the functioning of the organs of the genitourinary system.

The growth of pathogenic cells that are not treated with medication can lead to the formation of multiple cysts. This phenomenon will lead to a change in the shape of the breast, the mammary glands will be unequal, one larger than the other, the shape uneven. With the development of numerous cysts, the risk of an inflammatory process in the connective tissue of the mammary gland with further infection increases.

The cyst has a tendency to self-destruct, and then the liquid contents from its capsule will flow onto the soft tissue of the mammary gland, and this is fraught with the development of sepsis, which will require emergency surgical treatment. With prolonged stages of development of mixed cystic mastopathy, there is a risk of developing an oncological process.

In itself, the presence of a cyst in the mammary gland does not pose a threat to the health or life of a woman, does not cause discomfort and is not a reason for abandoning a normal lifestyle. All pathological processes that are provoked by the presence of fibrocystic mastopathy are associated with the occurrence of an inflammatory process in soft tissues or their infection.

Conservative therapy

In the treatment of fibrocystic mastopathy, an important role is played by the relief of swelling in soft and connective tissues. This helps not only reduce the inflammatory process, but also significantly alleviate the patient’s condition. For this purpose, diuretic drugs are prescribed, which have a diuretic effect. All these medications, together with urine, remove elements such as calcium and magnesium from the body, so it is necessary to take diuretics in combination with these minerals.

To relieve pain and other unpleasant signs of fibrocystic mastopathy, homeopathic medications are prescribed. Their advantage lies in their natural composition; therefore, the risk of side symptoms and complications for the liver is eliminated. In addition to medications, the use of topical agents - ointments and creams with herbal ingredients - is mandatory in the treatment of fibrocystic mastopathy. They help relieve swelling, relieve pain, and normalize the regeneration process of epidermal cells so that they displace pathogenic cells.

The main role in the treatment of FCM is given to hormonal drugs. It is strictly forbidden to choose and take hormones on your own. These medications are prescribed only by the attending physician, only after a thorough medical diagnosis and all necessary tests. Systemic treatment with hormones is aimed at stabilizing hormonal levels and treating diseases of the reproductive system, which are often the cause of the development of fibrocystic mastopathy.

If the disease was diagnosed on time, there are no complications or severe chronic diseases, a month’s course of complex medications is enough - and fibrocystic pathology will recede. In case of complications and if the patient is diagnosed with a nodular form of mastopathy, surgery is prescribed.

Traditional methods of treatment, decoctions based on medicinal herbs can be used only with the permission of a doctor and exclusively as an additional method of treatment, often symptomatic

Surgical intervention

Before treating fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary gland, a woman will have to undergo a full medical diagnosis and undergo a series of tests to determine the type of pathological process, the stage of its development and to identify the presence or absence of complications. In most cases, doctors try to normalize a woman’s condition with medications, but if conservative therapy after several courses does not produce a positive result, surgical intervention is performed. Indications for surgery are as follows:

• presence of severe chronic diseases;
• rapid proliferation of pathogenic cells;
• lack of positive dynamics from medications;
• high risks of cancer;
• hereditary predisposition to breast cancer.

For the surgical treatment of fibrocystic mastopathy, the method of sectoral resection is used, that is, removal of part of the connective tissue that is damaged by pathogenic cells. During treatment of cystic mastopathy with medications or after sectoral resection, a woman needs to give up bad habits and eat right. The therapeutic diet excludes the consumption of fried and fatty foods, fast food, carbonated drinks; in cooking it is necessary to minimize the amount of salt and spices.

ethnoscience

Traditional methods of treatment, decoctions based on medicinal herbs can be used only with the permission of a doctor and exclusively as an additional method of treatment, often symptomatic. If you use only traditional recipes, it is unlikely that you will be able to get rid of the disease, and the lost time will lead to the fact that fibrocystic mastopathy will worsen and cause a number of complications.

Traditional methods include decoctions of herbs such as red brush, plantain, wormwood, nettle and sage. Red brush is the most famous medicinal herb used in medicine, including traditional medicine, for the treatment of female diseases. It relieves inflammation and helps normalize hormonal levels.

Plantain, sage, nettle are medicinal herbs that have a generally beneficial effect on the body, normalize the functioning of all internal organs and systems, stop inflammatory processes, and reduce the manifestations of unpleasant and painful symptoms. It is better to take these herbs together.

Fibrocystic pathology of the mammary gland is dangerous due to its consequences. Its development can be prevented if a woman carefully monitors her health and undergoes regular medical examinations. It is very important not to forget about self-diagnosis, periodically palpating the mammary glands.

Any lumps, no matter how small, are not normal. They will not resolve on their own; immediate medical attention is required. The main preventative measure for FCM is timely treatment of diseases of the genitourinary system, because they are the cause of hormonal imbalance and the appearance of fibrocystic mastopathy.

Women are extremely sensitive to various hormonal and age-related influences, which is manifested by various changes in organ tissue. Cystic mastopathy of the mammary glands is a clear manifestation of such changes. How does the disease manifest itself, is it possible to restore damaged tissue, and what treatment options does modern medicine offer?

Frequency of cystic mastopathy

The sharp increase requires careful monitoring of each representative of the fair sex.

Cystic mastopathy also requires vigilance regarding malignant degeneration. The exact percentage of this form of breast pathology is unknown, since there is a generalized concept of “mastopathy”, which includes different forms of the disease. But the approximate number of cystic mastopathy is about 26.4% of cases.

Etiology

The exact cause of cystic changes in the gland is not known. However, there are a huge number of factors that increase the risk of pathological changes. There are two main culprits of the disease:

1. Pathology of the ovaries, in which the hormonal balance of levels changes in the direction of their sharp increase. It has been proven that these hormones accelerate the growth of epithelial and connective tissue, causing cystic degeneration;
2. Deficiency, which accelerates involutive changes in gland tissue.

They play a certain role in the development of pathology. They promote the growth of altered tissue in two ways:

• A decrease in their number leads to a shift in hormonal balance towards a sharp increase in estrogen;
• In some cases, androgens themselves provoke the development of cystic mastopathy, for example, causing hyperplastic processes in the uterus and mammary gland.

Interestingly, even the adrenal glands can cause the development of cystic changes. A similar situation occurs when there is excessive production of cortisol, which directly interacts with corticosteroid receptors in the gland and leads to pathological tissue proliferation.

Pathogenesis

Under the influence of unfavorable factors, increased growth of connective tissue and gland stroma begins. The secretion of the glands begins to stagnate, which leads to the expansion of the milk ducts. Gradually, the secretion becomes too much, which leads to blockage of the duct and the formation of a cyst. At first they are small, but as the disease progresses, the cysts merge, resulting in the formation of multi-chamber formations. The number of nodes varies; they can be either single or multiple. The disease most often affects both mammary glands.

Symptoms

Manifestations of cystic mastopathy are quite scanty. Sometimes, a woman does not even know about the existence of the pathology, attributing the unpleasant sensations to PMS. But few people know that mastopathy is a common component of premenstrual syndrome. The manifestations are familiar to many women of childbearing age, the only difference is that in the presence of cysts, the symptoms will be more pronounced. If there are a large number of cystic formations, severe pain in the organ is noted, which sharply intensifies 2-3 days before the onset of menstruation.

Sometimes the cysts are “silent”, and pain is localized in the shoulder and shoulder blade of the corresponding side. If the changes affected both mammary glands, then this may manifest itself as attacks of thoracic osteochondrosis on the eve of the onset of mensis.

If a woman has a nodular form, then often You can palpate dense elastic bumps in the tissues of the gland. Before the start of the menstrual cycle, they swell slightly, and local soreness may occur.

Another common manifestation of the cystic form is breast swelling. In some patients, the size of the mammary glands even changes, which is clearly visible when wearing a bra. Overstretching of tissues leads to pain in the organ. Rarely, cysts can provoke inflammatory changes in tissues, which leads to a slight increase in temperature.

Among the general symptoms, one cannot fail to note a change in the emotional background: depressive states, excessive aggressiveness.

The manifestations of cystic mastopathy in women during menopause are slightly different. Pain in the mammary glands can occur at any time; with a long course of the disease, its intensity is low. When trying to press on the nipple, patients release a greenish secretion.

Diagnostics

Detection of cystic mastopathy requires an integrated approach, which includes several stages.

Anamnesis

Collection of anamnestic data - at the appointment, the gynecologist finds out whether the patient has pain symptoms, whether there is a hereditary component, learns about extragenital and somatic diseases, identifies mental abnormalities (for example, increased anxiety);

Inspection of the glands

It must be remembered that palpation should be carried out in two positions - standing and lying down– although often practicing doctors neglect this rule. With cystic mastopathy, the following changes are detected: tissue density, the presence of nodular seals, the presence of galactorrhea (secretion).

The doctor must evaluate the condition of the lymph nodes and skin over the nodular formations, which is necessary for the timely diagnosis of cancerous degeneration. It should be noted that upon palpation, only large cysts can be detected, and small ones can be identified only on the basis of additional diagnostic measures.

Laboratory methods

Classic blood and urine tests will not help in diagnosing cystic mastopathy. However, this type of diagnosis is necessary to identify concomitant pathologies. For example, they conduct a blood test for hormones to diagnose hyperestrogenemia.

Instrumental research methods

Instrumental diagnosis is the only accurate method for detecting cystic mastopathy. There are quite a large number of manipulations that a doctor performs when examining the breast; we will analyze each in more detail.

Mammography

X-ray examination of the glands is the main objective method for screening pathological changes in the breast. But he does not allow one to accurately distinguish cystic formations from. From the image, in case of single nodular formations, rounded or elongated areas of darkening are revealed. The sizes of cysts are completely different: from a minimum of 0.3 cm to large formations of 8 cm. The contours of the cysts are clear, even, and sometimes there is a light rim around the node. With multi-chamber forms, the contours are torn.

Ultrasonography

As with radiography, a round or oval node is visualized, the boundaries of which are clearly defined. The contents of the cavity are homogeneous, there are no inclusions. If there is a multi-chamber cyst, ultrasound can show part of the destroyed septum that previously separated the cysts.

In case of infection, examination reveals inflammation around the formation and pronounced fibrosis of the capsule.

This technique is used everywhere because it is the safest and fastest diagnostic method. It can be used in screening for the presence of cysts in pregnant and lactating women. However, the value of ultrasound depends on the professionalism of the doctor who performs the procedure.

Targeted puncture under ultrasound control

The method allows for an accurate diagnosis of cystic mastopathy. The doctor performs a puncture of the cyst, observing the progress of the needle using an ultrasound image on a computer screen. This method allows you to simultaneously perform a therapeutic manipulation - aspiration of the cyst cavity. The contents of the cyst are sucked out and then a special drug is injected into the cavity - Sulfacrylate, which causes sclerosis of the cystic node. This method is effective for large single cysts in 95% of cases.

MRI

An invaluable method for diagnosing cystic growths without painful punctures and radiation. Despite the rather high cost, magnetic resonance imaging is an ideal method for diagnosing cystic mastopathy, and subsequent monitoring of the process. The study allows you to assess the number of cystic formations, their location, boundaries, tissue involvement, etc.

There are auxiliary methods that are used for more detailed visualization: ductography, pneumocystography, electrical impedance tomography.

Treatment

For single cystic formations, treatment can be conservative - using Sulfacrylate.

The method allows you to achieve the disappearance of large cysts without the use of a scalpel. Surgical treatment is used in the following cases:

• Detection of atypical cells after targeted biopsy;
• Pronounced proliferation of epithelial tissue around the formation - this may indicate malignant degeneration and cannot be risked;
• Recurrence of cysts after treatment with sulfacrylate;
• Suspicion of the presence of blood in the cyst cavity by ultrasound.

After treatment, control diagnostic studies (ultrasound, mammography, MRI) are carried out at 6 and 12 months. Then the woman undergoes standard examinations annually.

With multiple small cysts, a wait-and-see approach is more often used: the woman undergoes periodic examinations to monitor the process. Medications are prescribed: bromocriptine, COCs, progesterone gel, mastodinone. The choice of therapy is determined by the attending physician.

Treatment with folk remedies for cystic mastopathy is ineffective. But you can use various decoctions and tinctures to maintain a woman’s gynecological health, which will affect the course of the cystic process. The most valuable are: hogweed, elecampane, nettle, oregano and lemon balm.