What is bilateral fibrous mastopathy? Fibrous form of mastopathy: what it is, how it is treated. Diagnosis and treatment

The diagnosis of mastopathy is made when pathological benign growth of mammary gland tissue occurs, accompanied by pain and sometimes secretion. Characterized by a predominance of the cystic or fibrous component. How is fibrous mastopathy treated, is it possible to reduce the symptoms and completely eliminate the disease?

Mastodinon is a non-hormonal drug for the initial stages of mastopathy

About the disease

Mastopathy is a collective diagnosis, indicating hormone-dependent changes in female breast. Depending on the type, it is divided into forms:

nodular, when single nodular elements are formed in the chest;
diffuse, characterized by the proliferation of small connecting nodules or cysts, can affect both mammary glands at once.

The latter type is differentiated depending on the predominance of the expanding component and is classified into fibrous and cystic types. Fibrous mastopathy manifests itself in the forms:

Glandular-cystic. With a predominance of the glandular component, that is, compactions are formed in the glandular tissue of the breast.
Fibrocystic. In addition to fibroids, small hollow elements are formed - cysts filled with fluid. Their sizes sometimes change, this is due to the hormonal levels of the body during menstrual cycle or menopause.
Nodular fibrous. The elements are usually large, round, and easily palpable through the skin.

Mostly the mixed form is diagnosed in young women. Nodular formations are characteristic of older age, after 35 years.

Mastopathy is a hormone-dependent disease

Causes

The main factors for the development of mastopathy include hormonal imbalance. Typically, progesterone deficiency is detected against the background of increased estrogen levels, which leads to pathological tissue proliferation in the mammary glands. Increased production of the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for growth and function, also plays a role. female organ. What causes a malfunction in the hormonal system that leads to the formation of the disease:

Abortion is severe stress for the female body when it is abruptly interrupted. natural process, chaos ensues in the hormonal system, the likelihood of developing pathology increases sharply;
disorders of the thyroid gland;
prolonged absence of a sexual partner;
reproductive diseases;
refusal breastfeeding;
absence of childbirth or too frequent childbirth;
genetic predisposition;
injuries;
bad habits that deplete the female body;
prolonged psychological tension and stress.

Active exposure to ultraviolet radiation, regardless of whether topless tanning on the beach or in a solarium, also leads to tissue growth in the mammary glands.

Bad habits affect breast health

Signs

With fibrous mastopathy, the following signs appear:

A feeling of fullness and heaviness appears in the mammary glands.
There is pain, sometimes manifested by a burning sensation or aching sensation. At first it occurs periodically, before menstruation, but later it can bother you constantly.
In advanced forms, the pain is felt in the armpit, shoulder or under the shoulder blade. The cause is compression of tissues and nerve endings in the female breast.
A secretion from the nipples is released from transparent to yellowish-cloudy color. When a green tint appears, we can talk about an inflammatory process.
Over time, the size and shape of the mammary gland may change, and obvious asymmetry appears.
Nipples become sensitive.
At the time of palpation, with a fibrous component, granularity is felt, cords are felt. When the cyst component predominates, the lobulation is rougher, without clear boundaries of the elements.

If the symptoms coincide completely: the chest is tense and painful, you should not make a diagnosis and treat yourself.

At the first signs, you need to contact a mammologist for an examination. A referral to a specialist can be given by a gynecologist, therapist or surgeon at a clinic.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of fibrous mastopathy is made based on a set of studies:

A visual examination is carried out at the beginning of the cycle after the end of menstruation, the doctor interviews and examines the patient, compares the symmetry of the organs and the smoothness of the skin. Palpation determines the condition of the breast tissue and the location of the formation.
Ultrasound allows you to clarify the nature of the tumor, its location, and additionally examines the peripheral lymph nodes. The advantage of the method is that it is safe, has no age restrictions, and is approved for pregnant and lactating women. But when the dimensions of the element do not exceed 1 cm, it does not always give accurate results.
Mammography is an option X-ray examination makes it possible to identify the problem at an early stage, even in the absence of the first signs of changes.
If fibrous formations are detected, a tissue biopsy is taken for a cytological examination, and the fluid released from the nipple is also examined.

An accessible and most productive option for detecting pathology in the mammary glands is a woman’s self-examination of her breasts. This procedure should be carried out monthly after the completion of the menstrual cycle.

Mammography will help identify the early stages of mastopathy

Treatment

A set of therapeutic measures for the treatment of mastopathy is selected individually based on the patient’s hormonal status, the presence of gynecological and systemic pathologies, and signs of the disease. His goal:

reduction of painful symptoms in the mammary gland;
reduction of tissue fibrous formations;
correction of hormonal levels;
treatment of endocrine disorders;
elimination inflammatory diseases genital area;
restoration of kidney and liver function;
stabilization of the central nervous system.

Depending on the degree of development of the pathological process, hormonal and non-hormonal therapy or surgery may be offered.

Non-hormonal treatment

This type of treatment is chosen for an uncomplicated form of fibrous mastopathy and includes the following measures:

In mild stages, homeopathic treatment is widely used; phytomedicines Mastodinon, Mammosan or Mammoleptin, Tazalok, Vitokan are prescribed. Medicines contain easily digestible components, which are similar in structure to hormones. Biological substances have a multifaceted effect on the female body: they help stimulate the production of necessary hormones, relieve inflammation, stabilize the condition, and reduce the risk of fibroids degenerating into a malignant state.
Since vitamins are regulators of many processes in the body, vitamin therapy is used in the treatment of mastopathy. Substances help strengthen the immune system, remove toxins, and support organ function. And also enhance the effect of the drugs, normalize the central nervous system and stop the proliferation of components. The main role is given to vitamins: A, C, E, PP, group B, D.
Sometimes preparations based on iodine and kelp are used.
Immunomodulatory therapy using adaptogens is recommended, allowing the body to resist the negative effects of various natures.
The pain syndrome is relieved by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
In case of a psychogenic factor in the development of mastopathy with a predominance of the fibrous component, sedatives, infusions of valerian or motherwort are used against central nervous system stimulation and stress.

Usually the disease is treated for a long period: from 3 months to six months. During this time it gradually stabilizes hormonal background and nervous system, which leads to a significant reduction in symptoms or recovery.

Vitokan - homeopathic medicine

Hormone therapy

Mastopathy is also treated with the help of hormones; medications are prescribed to correct the hormonal status, carried out strictly as prescribed by the doctor after a preliminary detailed examination. Before prescribing therapy during the menstrual cycle, an analysis is required to determine the production of estrogen and progesterone and prolactin. Based on its results, a drug will be selected that corresponds to the patient’s age and hormonal status:

The latest generation of contraceptive drugs are used, which have virtually no contraindications.
For diffuse forms, products based on long-acting hormones that are implanted under the skin have performed well.
Medications with natural prolactin or its analogues work productively.
Local ointments and creams are used to relieve swelling and pain. For example, Progestogel, a gel containing progesterone, is prescribed for application to the skin of the mammary glands.
In complex cases with large formations, treatment is carried out using steroid or testosterone injections. This type The therapeutic effect has contraindications and is not used during pregnancy, endocrine diseases or frequent miscarriages.

Hormonal drugs not only help the resorption of elements, but also prevent the development of tumors in the uterus and ovaries.

Oral contraceptives help in the treatment of mastopathy

Surgical intervention

The operation is used in rare cases; it is usually prescribed when treatment with drugs does not bring results, and there is a high risk of fibroid transformation into a malignant form. If the size of the formation is more than 3 cm, the surgeon performs a sectoral resection.

Folk remedies

Alternative treatment is also used for mastopathy; its action is aimed at removing pain syndrome, eliminating swelling before menstruation. But before using this method, you need to consult a mammologist. Compresses on the mammary glands are widely used among people:

The juice of mature burdock leaves contains anti-inflammatory components. In the evening, having picked a fresh leaf, it is washed with warm water and placed under the underwear on the chest overnight. By morning the swelling will subside and the pain will not be as severe.
A spoonful of honey is mixed with a small amount of castor oil and lemon juice. Add gruel from fresh burdock root to the composition, mix everything well. The mass is laid out on a cloth and applied to the chest overnight or for several hours. If the manipulations are repeated for a month, the pain will stop bothering you.
And also when mild stage from discomfort effective application cabbage leaf. It can be used fresh by pricking several holes with a fork to better release the juice.
Another option involves a compress of cabbage pulp. Apply it for 3–5 hours, periodically changing the bandage. They also apply applications of grated beets and carrots with the addition of sea buckthorn oil and honey.

You should not hope for a lasting result if the product is used once. Traditional recipes work with regular long-term use, then before menstruation the mammary glands will stop swelling and hurting as before.

Cabbage leaf will relieve discomfort

Nutrition

Proper nutrition plays an important role in the treatment of the disease; the diet should be balanced in energy value and vitamin composition. It is also necessary to take into account:

Subcutaneous fat provokes the release of estrogen, which causes the disease to progress and degenerate into a malignant form. Therefore, it is important to reduce fat consumption; the calorie content of food should be brought to the norm of 2000 kcal.
You need to avoid milk, lard, fatty red meat, and hydrogenated fats.
Canned foods, including vegetables, are contraindicated.
Avoid chocolate, cocoa, Coca-Cola, coffee, and spices from the diet; these products also inhibit treatment and provoke the development of pathological processes.
To prevent swelling, it is important to reduce your intake of salt and foods high in salt.
To improve digestion, you should include foods containing fiber in your diet, eat more fruits and vegetables, and dairy products. Store-bought sweets are replaced with baked fruits.
To enrich the body with iodine, the diet should include seaweed and seafood.
Omega-3 non-fatty acids have a powerful antitumor effect, so the menu fatty fish should be at least 2 times a week.
Particular attention should be paid to foods containing antioxidants (vitamins PP, C, E, A), selenium, magnesium and potassium.
Smoking and alcohol should not be consumed categorically; their impact reduces the effect of medications.

If a woman leads a correct lifestyle and follows all the doctor’s recommendations, then with adequately chosen therapy, improvement often occurs and the disease recedes.

It is important to know that at the initial stage it is much easier to treat pathology than when it acquires common forms. But recovery does not guarantee the presence of a relapse; therefore, if the disease was present, it is necessary to periodically undergo examination by a doctor.

It occupies one of the first places among diseases of the female breast in terms of frequency of occurrence. In itself, it is benign, but sometimes it degenerates into a cancerous tumor, which necessitates constant monitoring of health when making a diagnosis.

What is fibrous mastopathy of the mammary glands, how dangerous is it?

Fibrous mastopathy of the mammary glands (fibroadenomatosis) is a disease in which growth occurs connective tissue these organs. Moreover, the fibrous structure of the growths predominates.

Reference. Fibrous tissue is a type of connective tissue that has increased tensile strength. It consists of polysaccharides, proteins and water; there are practically no living cells in it.

The disease code according to the ICD is “No. 60 Benign breast dysplasia.” The latter definition is encouraging because it indicates the benign nature of the tumor. However, in isolated cases, tumors may degenerate into oncology, especially when the disease was diagnosed a long time ago and the woman did not receive any treatment.

Essence, causes and features of fibrous mastopathy - video

Fibrous-adenomatous, glandular-fibrous, unilateral, bilateral and other forms of mastopathy

The disease in question can take one of the following forms:

fibrous-adenomatous. It is formed as a result of focal proliferation of glandular breast tissue with the inclusion of fibrous tissue. The latter often turn into scars. It occurs due to hormonal imbalances in a woman’s body. Easily diagnosed during an initial examination by a doctor: lumps can be felt by palpation;
fibrofatty (or involution). It occurs with the onset of menopause and is a process of replacement of glandular tissue with adipose and connective tissue. Glandular tissue becomes unnecessary for the body, since all reproductive functions are lost, so involution can be called a natural process;
glandular-fibrous. One of the most common forms of the disease, which more often than others degenerates into a cancerous tumor. Palpation reveals small formations. Often there is a deformation of the breast, which loses its shape. The nature of this type of mastopathy is hormonal (excess estrogen);
one-sided and two-sided. The classification of mastopathy into unilateral and bilateral speaks only about the location of the tumor - is it located in only one mammary gland or in both;
diffuse. The initial stage of the disease, in which nodules and other neoplasms have not yet formed. The tumor does not have clear boundaries and structure. With this form the disease is not dangerous;
focal. Usually develops against a diffuse background. At this stage, the tumor is finally formed and appears as a clear node or compaction. May degenerate into cancer.

Causes and factors for the development of the disease

The main reason lies in hormonal imbalance. And this can lead to:

abortions, before which the woman’s body was preparing for pregnancy (in particular, we are talking about changes in glandular tissue);
genital infections;
long absence of sex life;
the presence of endocrine diseases;
frequent stress;
poor heredity, when close blood relatives (mother, sister, etc.) suffered from this disease.

Take note! Fibrous mastopathy occurs due to increased production of estrogen with a simultaneous lack of progesterone. Therefore, it is extremely important to maintain health at least once a year to take tests to determine the level of these hormones in the blood. This is especially true for women who are concerned about discomfort and the presence of lumps in the mammary glands.

Symptoms and signs of the disease

Symptoms of fibrous mastopathy are divided into primary and secondary. Primary, mildly expressed, often ill women do not pay attention to them and do not consult a doctor. These include:

pain in the mammary gland (especially during menstruation);
increase in breast volume, swelling, feeling of “full breasts”;
tension in the chest area, aching and nagging pain.

When the development of the disease has already gone far and, for example, has passed into the stage of focal mastopathy, the following symptoms are observed:

permanent chest pain (at any time of the cycle);
the presence of palpable lumps in the chest, which feel painful when pressed;
the appearance of discharge from the nipples.

In addition to the above symptoms, when making a diagnosis, the data obtained from ultrasound of the mammary glands (echo signs) is of paramount importance. They are often enough to make a correct diagnosis.

An ultrasound examination will show:

reduction in the thickness of the layer of glandular breast tissue;
breast tissue density indicators that do not correspond to standard values;
disorders in the structure of breast tissue;
the presence of cavities with liquid;
presence of dense formations.

Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of fibrous mastopathy

Diagnosis of the disease is extremely important, because if left untreated, some of its forms degenerate into cancer. Although this transformation sometimes takes a long period of time - up to 20 years, a woman with mastopathy should be constantly under the supervision of a doctor.

The main methods for diagnosing the disease in question today:

Often diagnosis is limited to these two methods. But when the diagnosis is in doubt, the doctor may order extensive tests, including:

puncture, when a small part of the tissue of the formation is taken and its nature is determined - malignant or not;
blood test for tumor marker CA 15-3;
MRI - magnetic resonance imaging, the purpose of which is to identify malignant neoplasms, no matter how small they may be.

CA 15–3 is the main tumor marker of the mammary glands. When the concentration increases, one may suspect the presence of a neoplasm, but negative values do not exclude pathology, so it is necessary to conduct dynamic studies.

How to treat pathology

Among the variety of medications for the treatment of fibrous mastopathy, groups of hormonal and non-hormonal ones are distinguished. hormonal drugs. Hormonal medications may include:

androgens (Methyltestosterone, Testobromlecite, Danazol, etc.). Androgens are male sex hormones that are normally present in small quantities in female body. They are prescribed to women aged 45–50 years and older. These drugs have a sedative effect on the central nervous system. Androgens are also prescribed if mastopathy is a consequence of endometriosis. Here, the task of this hormone is to suppress the function of producing pituitary hormones;
progestogens (Progestogel gel containing natural progesterone, etc.). Progestogens are, in fact, progesterone, the deficiency of which is noted in mastopathy. The point of taking these drugs is to saturate the body with progesterone and normalize hormonal levels;
antiestrogens (Tamoxifen, etc.), suppressing the growth of estrogens and preventing their influence on tumor development. They are aimed at correcting the mechanism of occurrence and progression of the disease;
drugs that suppress prolactin production (Bromocriptine, etc.).

Non-hormonal treatments for this condition do not necessarily involve taking medications and include:

taking vitamin complexes containing vitamins A, E and C;
taking sedatives (Evening tablets, Novopassit, etc.);
homeopathic remedies(EDAS drops, etc.);
herbal medicine (herbal treatment);
physiotherapeutic procedures;
local treatment with Dimexide or Novocaine.

Local effects, according to many doctors, are no less effective than medicinal ones.

For example, most patients with mastopathy note the positive effect of compresses with Dimexide, which is diluted in a ratio of 1:4 with water, then the fabric is moistened in the solution and applied to the sore breast for 30 minutes (no more). It is recommended to repeat the procedure every other day and carry out the course - no more than 2 weeks. Such compresses significantly reduce chest pain.

Drug treatment - photo gallery

Bromocriptine suppresses prolactin production Dimexide is used for compresses EDAS drops - homeopathic remedy Novopassit is an effective and mild sedative Progestogel saturates the body with progesterone and normalizes hormonal levels Tamoxifen suppresses estrogen growth

Surgical intervention

When the disease is too advanced, surgical intervention, i.e., surgery, becomes an indispensable condition for recovery.

Operations are performed in cases where:

tumor growth progresses rapidly;
the disease is accompanied by constant severe pain.

In the nodular form, the node is removed, but the organ itself is preserved. If the nodes are multiple, a mastectomy is performed - complete removal of the mammary gland with adjacent tissues.

It is important to note that surgery is not a treatment, but only a way to prevent serious complications.

As in the preoperative period, therapy should be continued after surgery. medications, support the body folk remedies and follow a diet.

Traditional medicine for fibrous mastopathy

When using folk remedies to treat such a serious disease, do not forget that they are not able to completely replace traditional methods, but serve as an addition to the main therapy.

Popular folk remedies include:

flax seed, containing phytoestrogens, helps normalize hormonal balance. You can use both flaxseed oil and ground seeds. The oil is taken on an empty stomach, 1–2 tbsp. l. in 30 min. before meals. The seeds are ground and the resulting powder is consumed 2-3 times a day, 1 tablespoon, with water. The course of admission is unlimited;
elderberry juice, which is drunk 1/3 glass 3 times a day for 30 minutes. before meals. The course of treatment is 1 month, the course is repeated every six months. This remedy is rich in vitamins and antioxidants that promote tumor resorption;
infusions of herbs containing phytoestrogens - mint, wormwood, sage, valerian root and many others, the names of which can be easily gleaned from reference books. You can drink an infusion of one herb, but it is much more effective to make a collection of 3 or more plants. It is good to prepare the product in a thermos. This way the herbs do not boil and retain the maximum amount of nutrients. For preparation:
- you need to take 2 tbsp. l. herbal mixture, place in a thermos;
- pour 2 cups of boiling water, leaving to steep for 3-4 hours under a closed lid;
- strain and drink 1/3–1/4 cup 2 times a day before meals.

Folk remedies - photo gallery

Flax seed helps normalize hormonal balance Elderberry is rich in vitamins and antioxidants Mint contains phytoestrogens

Diet for fibrous mastopathy - important condition recovery and prevention of tumor recurrence after surgery. The most important thing in it is to limit the consumption of animal fats, which provoke a rapid growth of estrogens, which, in turn, lead to tumor progression. You also need to avoid smoked and salty foods.

It is useful to consume as much as possible:

white cabbage;
broccoli;
raspberries;
blueberries;
apricots;
citrus fruits.

In general, your diet should consist of vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy products and lean meats.

You need to be careful when consuming soy and products containing it, as they promote the growth of estrogen.

We must not forget about including fatty fish (mackerel, salmon, salmon, etc.) in the diet at least 2-3 times a week, which contain large amounts of OMEGA-3, a substance that has a positive effect on female hormonal levels.

Vegetables rich in antioxidants, such as beets and spinach, will help directly combat tumors and, if consumed regularly, may reverse the progression of the disease.

A unique set of natural substances makes citrus fruits very beneficial for health Blueberries contain a large amount of antioxidants
Broccoli contains the substance sulforaphane. It has an antitumor effect and helps cope with various breast diseases. Apricots are rich in potassium and calcium

Treatment prognosis and possible complications

The treatment prognosis is very favorable, provided that the patient is continuously monitored by a doctor so as not to miss the moment when the tumor begins to grow or it becomes malignant.

The disease does not pose a threat to life, but every effort must be made to achieve the correct diagnosis, and for this you need to undergo comprehensive examination. In case of dangerous forms of pathology, such as focal, surgery will be required, the timeliness of which will depend on the safety of the mammary glands and the occurrence of complications (long-term healing of postoperative sutures, discharge of pus from the wound, etc.).

Prevention

Self-examination of the mammary glands to detect lumps plays an important role in prevention. It should be carried out from the 6th to the 12th day of the cycle. If there are nodules or bumps, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Prevention of the disease also involves maintaining regular sex life, timely treatment of genital infections, and regulating the emotional background.

A healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, taking vitamins, and giving up bad habits will also help maintain normal hormonal balance and reduce the possibility of developing mastopathy to a minimum.

Thus, fibrous mastopathy is a harmless disease, provided that it is constantly monitored by a doctor and receives adequate treatment. Some of its forms require more careful and continuous monitoring, since they more often than others degenerate into a cancerous tumor (focal form, etc.). The success of treatment is guaranteed if an integrated approach is used, that is, medications and traditional methods treatment. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate or limit yourself to herbal medicine. It is imperative to follow all doctor’s instructions and undergo preventive examinations at least 2 times a year.

Every third or fourth woman of childbearing age from 30 to 45 years old faces a common pathology affecting mammary glands, with a long and unclear name. Therefore, you should find out in time what fibrocystic mastopathy with medical point vision.

Fibrocystic disease or fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands (FCM) is a focal formation with a non-malignant condition of the tissue of the mammary glands, which is formed against the background of an imbalance of hormones produced by the body, in which cystic formations and nodes of various shapes, structures and sizes appear. In this case, there is an abnormal relationship between the epithelium and connective tissue in the gland, both due to proliferation (growth) and atrophy (reduction).

To understand what fibrous mastopathy and cystic mastopathy of the mammary glands are, you need to understand the structure of the gland.

The mammary gland is formed by three types of tissue, the ratio of which is directly affected by age, hormonal fluctuations, condition reproductive organs. What kind of fabric is this?

Parenchyma is the glandular tissue itself, divided into lobes.
Stroma is a connective framework tissue that is located between the lobes and lobules.
The stroma and parenchyma are enveloped and protected by adipose tissue.

Most often, cystic and fibrous changes in the mammary glands are observed in the parenchyma; less often, stromal fibrosis occurs under the influence of hormones.

A diffuse process is defined in medicine as extensive, affecting a large mass of mammary gland tissue.

Fibrous - means abnormal growth of connective tissue of the mammary glands. Such stromal fibrosis can disrupt the structure of the lobes and ducts, leading to the appearance of abnormal structures in them.

The term cystic refers to the characteristic appearance of mastopathy.

Causes

The main causes of fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands are due to imbalance of hormones - lack of progesterone, abnormally high production of estradiol, prolactin, somatotropin and prostaglandins. Deviations from the normal ratio between the amounts of these hormones lead to fibrocystic changes in the mammary gland.

Glandular mastopathy appears after a fairly long period of time, since it requires a combination of provoking factors of hormonal disorders and their long-term influence.

Similar provoking factors for fibrocystic changes include:

premature puberty in girls, since early (up to 11–12 years) menarche (first menstrual cycle) gives too high a hormonal load on the body, which also affects the condition of the mammary glands;
menopause after 55 years due to prolonged exposure of hormones to fibro-adipose tissue;
frequent abortions and miscarriages (due to sudden hormonal changes);
absence of childbirth and pregnancy at all;
gynecological diseases dependent on hormonal disorders (endometriosis, menstrual dysfunction);
short breastfeeding period breast milk, refusal of breastfeeding at all;
hereditary factor (on the mother's side);
age over 35 – 38 years;
frequent or prolonged stressful situations, often provoking endocrine disorders;
obesity (hormonal activity of adipose tissue leads to hyperproduction of estrogen);
neoplasms in the hypothalamus (these tumors can disrupt the proper production of estrogens, FSH and LH);
diseases of the liver, genitourinary organs, thyroid gland (hypo- and hyperthyroidism, thyrotoxicosis), diabetes mellitus;
trauma, compression, inflammation of the mammary glands;
uncontrolled use of hormonal drugs, birth control pills;
iodine deficiency;
sluggish intimate life, lack of orgasms (blood stagnation occurs in the vessels of the reproductive organs, causing ovarian dysfunction and subsequent changes in hormonal levels).

General symptoms

The severity of the symptoms of fibrous mastopathy is determined by the form of the pathology and concomitant internal diseases.

In diagnosing mastopathy of the mammary glands, the following main signs dominate:

Mastodynia (breast pain).

At the first stage of the disease, every tenth woman experiences pain in the mammary glands before menstrual bleeding, and this manifestation is falsely considered as a sign of premenstrual syndrome.

The pain can be moderate, intense, and has a different character (stabbing, aching, tugging), which is associated with the depth and activity of the process. With severe pain, it is sometimes impossible to touch the chest. After menstruation, the pain subsides, but as the mastopathy deepens, it becomes permanent, and its degree depends on the phase monthly cycle.

Swelling of the mammary glands (engorgement), associated with stagnation of blood in the veins.
Discharge from the mammary gland.

This characteristic symptom The disease manifests itself only in half of the patients, indicating damage to the fibrocystic process of the milk ducts.

Most often, the amount of discharge from the mammary gland is insignificant, and the fluid appears spontaneously or when the nipple is squeezed. The contents resemble watery colostrum. Greenish, yellow indicates the development of an infection. A threatening symptom is the appearance of a brownish bloody fluid from the nipple, which raises suspicion of possible damage, capillary damage, tumor development and requires immediate examination.

Enlargement, tenderness and tension of the lymph nodes closest to the chest. This symptom is usually mild.
Depression, tearfulness, emotional instability, irritability (especially often manifested in pain).
The appearance of mobile and fixed lumps, nodes in the thickness of the mammary gland, upon palpation of which the diagnosis of fibrocystic mastopathy is made during a routine examination by a mammologist.

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Forms and types of mastopathy

The classification of glandular mastopathy of the mammary gland involves the identification of the main forms of pathology: and nodular.

Initial stage for both forms

The primary stage of the disease is characterized by the development of limited processes in the chest.

When painful changes are limited to a certain area, it is diagnosed focal fibrosis mammary gland. In this case, seals measuring 20 - 30 mm (usually single) are round, oval shape are usually formed in the upper outer and inner quadrant (zone) of the gland.

It is in this area that the thickness of fibro-adipose tissue is especially pronounced, a large number of lymph nodes and large vessels, around which inflammatory and tumor processes occur. Such local fibrosis of the mammary gland is considered as the initial stage of deep proliferation of fibrocytes (stromal cells).

The leading causes of this pathology are considered to be excessive estrogen release and progesterone deficiency, as well as a violation of neurohumoral regulation (the relationship between metabolic processes and neurogenic activity).

Fibrous form and its types

Adenosis, in which hyperplasia (proliferation) of the glandular epithelium of the lobes and milk ducts is pronounced. At the same time, the organ tissue retains its structure, and excessive growth of parenchyma is characterized by a significant increase in breast size.

Manifestations of mammary gland adenosis can be moderate (in girls) and pronounced, which manifest themselves in the development of a sclerosing type of adenosis. It is characterized by damage to the breast by accumulations of microcalcifications ( salt deposits), with a certain degree of probability of the appearance of potential foci of cancerous cell degeneration.

Fibroadenomatosis is fibrous mastopathy of the mammary glands, in which the fibrous component predominates. It is characterized by proliferation of the stroma, and in more late stage– multiple appearance. It's benign cystic formation mammary gland - round, mobile, with a fairly clear contour and density, the appearance of which means that the disease has turned into a nodular form.

Fibrous pathology includes periductal fibrosis (plasmacytic), which is more common in women during menopause. With it, growths form in the form of infiltrates (clusters) of plasma cells around the milk ducts. Perivascular fibrosis is a type of periductal form, in which around the milk ducts, blood and lymphatic vessels There is abnormal growth of the stroma in the form of compactions of collagen fibers.

Separately, the state of fibrofatty involution (reverse development) should be highlighted. This is a physiological (not pathological) process in the mammary glands when a woman reaches menopause in normal periods. The essence of what is happening structural changes consists of replacing parenchyma cells with connective and adipose tissue cells.

Leading signs of fibrous mastopathy:

change in color and sensitivity of the skin over the affected area;
heaviness, distension;
discharge from the nipple similar to colostrum (from colorless to colored);
moderate nagging pain, intensifying before “menstruation” with possible return to the armpit and shoulder;
identification by palpation of enlarged, tense mammary glands with noticeable highlighting of lobes and fine granularity.

Cystic form

For cystic mastopathy in mammary gland small cavity structures are formed.

The main signs of fibrocystic mastopathy in this form are:

single and multiple small neoplasms in the form of dense blisters, clearly visible when palpated in a vertical position;
tension in the mammary glands;
sometimes – significant soreness of the seals when palpated;
a slight increase in formations in this type of mastopathy and axillary lymph nodes before monthly bleeding;
formation of dense strands (linear strand fibrosis).

According to the intensity of changes, fibrofatty and glandular-cystic mastopathy is divided into degrees: minor, moderate and severe, and its types depend on the nature of structural changes in the tissues.

The cystic form often includes fibroadenomatosis with a dominant cystic rather than fibrous component, as well as linear (interlobular) fibrosis, in which nodes and cord structures are formed against the background of stroma growth between the lobes and inside the ducts. In this case, ultrasound reveals clear echo signs of fibrocystic mastopathy.

Mixed form of fibrocystic mastopathy

This type of mastopathy often occurs in a mixed form, characterized by a combination of fibrofatty and cystic forms of the disease and their characteristic symptoms. Fibrous breast disease is well defined independently and can be seen on images during mammography.

Nodular mastopathy

Nodular mastopathy or localized adenomatosis in most cases is further development diseases. This type is a focal form of the disease, which in oncology is considered as a precancerous process. Nodes in tissues are easily palpable.

The types of nodular mastopathy include:

cystic formations;
fibroadenoma with a dominant cystic component;
papillomas inside the milk ducts;
leaf-shaped tumors;
hamartoma, lipogranuloma, lipoma, angioma.

Features of nodular formations

If the nodes are of cystic origin, then they have a dense elastic structure, clear contours and shape, delimited from adjacent tissues.
Nodes in the form of foci of compaction are palpated as formations with pronounced lobes without obvious boundaries.
The dimensions of compaction areas reach 60 – 70 mm.
The pain syndrome is either insignificant or absent.
They can be single, multiple, detected on one or both sides (bilateral FCM).
Before the menstrual cycle, the lumps may enlarge, swell, and become painful.
Difficult to palpate if the patient is in a horizontal position.
Peripheral lymph nodes do not enlarge.

Bilateral mastopathy

Damage to the fibro-fatty and glandular tissue of both glands means that bilateral fibrocystic mastopathy develops, indicating a persistent and serious hormonal disorder. Therefore, treatment requires mandatory normalization of the level and ratio of hormones, as well as identifying the cause of such an imbalance, including dysfunction of the ovaries, pituitary-hypothalamic system, thyroid gland, and adrenal glands.

The two-way process almost doubles the risk of cancerous degeneration of diseased cells.

Why is fibrous mastopathy dangerous?

Initially, glandular mastopathy was not considered a condition with a high risk of cancer.

But medical practice and studies have revealed that breast fibrosis should be considered and treated as an intermediate pre-tumor condition, which can, with varying degrees of probability, lead to malignancy (the acquisition of malignant tumor properties by cells).

At an early stage, the disease responds well to therapy, so it is recommended that all diagnostic procedures be performed by a mammologist as early as possible and begin treatment for fibrocystic mastopathy without waiting for complications.

Nodular pathology can be proliferative (progressive) or non-proliferative in nature.

The most unfavorable form is the proliferative form, when the tissue actively grows with the formation of neoplasms in the milk ducts and on the internal walls of the cavity structures, with the further development of cystadenopapillomas. Such changes carry the threat of malignant degeneration.

Diagnostics

Before prescribing diagnostic measures, the doctor will examine, palpate the breast and collect an anamnesis. Already during the initial examination, the patient can be diagnosed with asymmetry of the mammary glands, swelling, venous pattern, change in the position and shape of the nipples.

Palpation of the breast must be carried out in the first phase of the monthly cycle. Palpation is carried out in two positions - standing and lying down. This is due to the fact that some neoplasms can be detected only in one of the body positions. Also, during the examination, the doctor may squeeze the nipples to determine the presence or absence of discharge.

To confirm the diagnosis, the following studies may be prescribed:

mammography;
Ultrasound of the mammary glands and pelvic organs;
puncture. A puncture biopsy is necessary to differentiate FCM from cancerous tumors and other formations. During this procedure, the specialist will take a fragment of the tumor, which will later be sent to histological examination;
determination of hormone levels;
blood chemistry;
ductography;
pneumocystography;
thermography;
MRI or CT.

Drug treatment of FCM

In order for mastopathy treatment to be as effective as possible, it is necessary to conduct a thorough diagnosis, based on the results of which the doctor will prescribe complex therapy. Conservative treatment can be carried out using non-hormonal or hormonal drugs.

Non-hormonal agents used to treat FCM:

Vitamins. Vitamin A has an anti-estrogenic effect, vitamin E enhances the effect of progesterone, vitamin B6 reduces the concentration of prolactin, vitamin P and ascorbic acid strengthen the walls of blood vessels, relieve swelling of the gland, improve blood circulation in it. All of these vitamins have a positive effect on the functioning of the liver, namely, it inactivates estrogens.
Iodine preparations normalize the functioning of the thyroid gland and also participate in the synthesis of its hormones. In this connection, doctors prescribe Iodine-active, Iodomarin.
Sedatives and adaptogens. Sedatives – valerian, motherwort, peony tincture improve a woman’s psycho-emotional state and minimize the impact of stress on the body. Adaptogens (Rhodiola rosea, Eleutherococcus) increase immunity, have a positive effect on metabolism and normalize liver function.
Herbal medicines (Mastodinon, Remens, Cyclodinone) stabilize hormonal levels, reduce prolactin production, and stop pathological processes in the mammary gland.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Nise, Indomethacin, Diclofenac) relieve swelling and reduce pain by reducing the concentration of prostaglandins.
Diuretics (kidney tea, lingonberry leaf or Lasix) eliminate pain by removing excess fluid from the body, which leads to a decrease in swelling.

Hormonal therapy:

Gestagens (Pregnil, Utrozhestan, Norkolut, Duphaston). Drugs in this group reduce the production of estrogen in the second phase of the menstrual cycle. Experts recommend taking these medications for at least 4-6 months. Also, gestagens are prescribed for local use (Progestogel gel). This gel must be applied to the mammary glands for several months. This use ensures 90% absorption of progesterone and eliminates possible side effects observed with oral administration.
Prolactin production inhibitors (Parlodel). It is prescribed for obvious hyperprolactinemia.
Androgens (Danazol, Methyltestosterone, Testobromlecite). They are prescribed to older women.
Antiestrogens (Tamoxifen).
Combined oral contraceptives(Rigevidon, Marvelon). These medications are recommended for women under 35 years of age who have disorders of the second phase of the menstrual cycle.

Methods for removing tumors in the breast

Surgery to remove fibrocystic mastopathy is rarely prescribed. Surgical intervention is advisable if there is no positive effect from conservative treatment or in the case where there is a suspicion of a malignant process in the mammary gland.

Also, removal surgery cannot be avoided in the following cases:

a woman or girl has been diagnosed with nodular fibrocystic mastopathy in a late stage;
the presence of painful sensations that bother the patient;
inflammatory process;
suppuration of tumors in the chest or their rupture.

Operations to remove fibrocystic mastopathy are carried out in the following ways:

Enucleation. In this case, surgeons remove the tumor itself, leaving healthy breast tissue unaffected.
Sectoral resection. Along with the formation, part of the affected tissue is removed.
Radical resection (the mammary gland is completely removed).

For fibrocystic mastopathy, enucleation is often used. This intervention lasts no more than an hour, after which the woman is left in the hospital for several hours for medical supervision. If no complications arise during this period, she is discharged home. After 10-12 days, postoperative sutures are removed.

Consequences and recovery after surgery

IN recovery period After surgery, it is recommended to strictly follow all recommendations of the attending physician:

Regularly change the bandage and treat postoperative sutures to speed up the healing process of wounds and prevent their infection.
Take all medications prescribed by your doctor. These can be antibiotics, hormonal agents, agents to accelerate tissue regeneration, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Keep calm. For at least 4-5 days it is necessary to observe bed rest to prevent the seams from coming apart.
Eat properly and nutritiously, follow the diet prescribed by a specialist.

At the time prescribed by the doctor, the patient must undergo a medical examination, during which her sutures will be removed and a further course of therapy will be prescribed.

As a rule, the recovery period after removal of fibrocystic mastopathy passes without complications. The mark after the operation remains barely noticeable, it can be quickly eliminated with the help of modern medical cosmetology.

But even after surgery, it is necessary to undergo regular examinations with a mammologist, since the risk of cells degenerating into a malignant tumor still exists.

Since the removal of fibrocystic neoplasms in the breast is still an operation, it can provoke the following complications:

bleeding;
the appearance of a hematoma in the chest cavity;
inflammation and suppuration of the wound;
asymmetry of the mammary glands;
atrophy of the pectoral muscle;
nerve or vascular damage.

Relapse of the disease can be observed in the presence of foci of pathologically altered tissue, which can occur if the surgical margin is incorrectly defined.

If the disease is not treated promptly, the consequences of FCM can be very serious. The most dangerous complication of the disease may be breast cancer. The initial stages of the malignant process are usually non-invasive, and important organs are not affected, so the early stages are treated quite successfully. But in medicine there have been cases when cancer is invasive in nature, and then the following forms of oncology may occur:

Ductal cancer, which is localized in the wall of the duct. Characterized by rapid growth. Tumor in short time may spread beyond the milk duct.
Lobular cancer initially affects the breast tissue, but gradually spreads beyond it.
Inflammatory cancer is rare. It has similar clinical picture with mastitis, which is why differential diagnosis is so important.
Ulcerative form of cancer (Paget's cancer).

Prevention and contraindications

First of all, the prevention of fibrocystic mastopathy consists in eliminating the underlying diseases that give impetus to its development. It is also necessary to exclude external provoking factors.

Every woman must regularly conduct an independent examination of the mammary glands and if the shape of the breast changes, pain, discharge from the nipples and other alarming signs appear, immediately seek advice from a mammologist.

It is important for girls to choose the right bra - it is advisable that it is made from natural fabrics, and that it does not deform or strongly compress the mammary glands.

Good prevention of fibrocystic mastopathy is childbirth and a long period of breastfeeding. It is necessary to avoid abortions, live a full sex life, try not to react to stressful situations, eat right and lead an active lifestyle. Patients are advised to give up coffee, strong tea, flour and sweets. Many doctors associate the appearance of fibrous structures in the chest with abnormalities in the intestines, so girls should eliminate constipation and normalize the bacterial flora.

If you have fibrocystic mastopathy, it is not recommended to drink alcohol, smoke or warm the mammary glands (visit saunas and steam baths).

Fibrocystic mastopathy is a pathology that requires immediate treatment. Procrastination and uncontrolled reception medications can only worsen a woman’s condition and lead to the transformation of a benign neoplasm into a malignant one.

Mastopathy or fibrocystic disease is a pathology that causes benign growth of breast tissue. Most often diagnosed in women suffering from neuroendocrine disorders and dysfunction of the reproductive system.

The main cause of fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands is a violation of the level of sex and thyroid hormones of the thyroid gland. In patients, an increase in the concentration of androgens is detected in the blood. At the same time, the content of progesterone, thyroxine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone is reduced, but the characteristic manifestations of hypothyroidism are absent. Typically, fibrous mastopathy appears against the background of the following pathologies:

adnexitis - inflammation of the appendages;
diseases of the thyroid gland, liver;
diabetes.

High levels of prolactin promote the growth of breast tissue. This condition is accompanied by menstrual irregularities, lack of ovulation, and ovarian dysfunction.

Provoking factors for fibrocystic mastopathy include:

hereditary predisposition;
late birth;
the woman did not breastfeed the child;
irregular sex life;
a large number of abortions;
stress, nervous disorders;
mammary gland injuries.

In such women, the risk of developing symptoms of fibrocystic mastopathy increases 7–8 times, the treatment of which requires an individual, comprehensive approach.

Clinical symptoms of the disease

Fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary gland (FCM) has the following symptoms:

chest pain that gets worse during menstruation;
discharge of clear or bloody secretion from the nipples;
the appearance of areas of compaction in the mammary gland.

The pain syndrome may be present constantly or appear during menstruation. Nodes can be single or multiple, depending on the form of the disease. These formations can be identified by palpation.

Forms of mastopathy

Breast mastopathy can also be nodular. In the diffuse form, fibrous damage to the connective tissue occurs, and many small cysts are formed, inside of which there are cystadenomas (papillomas). Hyperplasia of lobules and tubules and cell sclerosis may be observed. Most often, bilateral damage to both mammary glands occurs.

The diffuse fibrocystic form of mastopathy is characterized by breast thickening, formation large quantity Cysts are small in size, soft, elastic to the touch. Symptoms intensify during menstruation and practically disappear after the end of the critical days. There remains a feeling of heaviness, fullness, and unexpressed pain. The x-ray image clearly shows them, which can reach 6 cm in diameter.

With the nodular form of mastopathy, round compactions form inside the gland: fibromatosis, adenofibroma, adenosis, fibroadenoma. The neoplasms are mobile, elastic, not connected to the skin, and gradually increase in size. Symptoms appear the same regardless of the menstrual cycle.

Fibrocystic and nodular mastopathy can develop simultaneously, causing tissue proliferation and the formation of cysts and seals. Any form of the disease can serve as a provoking factor for the degeneration of atypical breast cells into a cancerous tumor. Therefore, women should be regularly examined by a mammologist for timely detection of the disease.

Diagnostic methods

How is fibrocystic mastopathy diagnosed and treated? The doctor examines the patient, palpates the chest, regional lymph nodes, and collects anamnesis. Menstrual irregularities, hereditary predisposition, previous abortions, and pathological childbirth are important. The doctor finds out the relationship between menstruation and pain, the appearance of discharge from the mammary glands, the color and consistency of the secretion.

Additionally prescribed ultrasonography, chest X-ray, mammography, pneumocystography of the mammary glands to detect changes in connective tissue, nodes, cysts. Diagnostic tests for women of reproductive age who do not take oral contraceptives are carried out on days 8–14 of the menstrual cycle, when menstruation completely ends.

Cystic mastopathy of the mammary glands is determined by digital mammography. This diagnostic method can show the smallest cysts and lumps, detect the disease on early stage.

With fibrocystic mastopathy, ultrasound reveals compaction of the connective tissue, dilation of the ducts of the mammary glands, and multiple formation of small cysts. Before pneumocystography, fluid is removed from the cyst cavity using a thin needle, then the resulting cavity is filled with gas. After this, an X-ray of the breast is taken in several projections. The study can show the size and parameters of the cyst, analyze the internal walls of the capsule and the degree of pathological processes.

To exclude a cancerous tumor and to distinguish cysts from adenomas, a fine-needle biopsy of the contents of the cysts and secretions from the glands is performed. Biochemical analysis blood helps to determine the level of sex and thyroid hormones.

Systemic hormonal treatment of mastopathy

How to treat fibrocystic mastopathy in women? The traditional method of therapy is carried out for the diffuse form of the disease and after surgery, using both hormonal and non-hormonal agents. If there are concomitant diseases, consultation with a specialized specialist and appropriate treatment are necessary.

Taking hormones is indicated if there is an imbalance of androgens, estrogens, prolactin, thyroxine or thyrotropin. The medications and dosage are selected by the attending physician, and constant monitoring of hormonal balance is necessary. Fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary gland responds well to this treatment method.

How to treat the disease? The following are used for systemic hormonal therapy:

Antiestrogens (Tamoxifen, Fariston) reduce activity in breast tissue, reducing the biological activity of the hormone.
Combined monophasic oral contraceptives suppress the ovulation process and the synthesis of androgens and estrogens. Marvelon, Femoden for fibrocystic mastopathy are taken for at least 3 months. If necessary, Primolut is additionally prescribed.

Prolactin secretion inhibitors - Bromocriptine, Parlodel are indicated for elevated prolactin levels. Start taking it with minimal dosages. The drugs have a lot side effects.
Progestins (Medroxyprogesterone acetate, Norethisterone) inhibit the pituitary-ovarian connection, reducing the effect of estrogens on breast tissue. Such drugs are especially indicated for patients with uterine fibroids and anovulatory bleeding.

Danazol for fibrocystic mastopathy inhibits the production of gonadotropic hormone and helps smooth out the gland tissue. But the drug has many side effects, and relapses occur after its use.
Gonadotropin analogues (Norkolut, Pregnin) reduce testosterone and estrogen levels. The indication for their use is a severe form of fibrocystic mastopathy, if other methods of therapy have not yielded positive results.

As a result of the use of systemic hormonal therapy, the signs of fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary gland are reduced, lumps are resolved, diffuse tissue proliferation stops, pain is relieved, and the menstrual cycle is restored.

Treatment is long-term, can take from 3–6 months to 2 years, the effectiveness is 70–95%. The regimen for taking hormonal medications is selected by the doctor, taking into account the causes and severity of the disease.

Conservative methods of treatment for fibrocystic mastopathy

Women who have fibrous change tissue does not cause discomfort and does not require special therapy. It is enough to carry out an analysis that excludes oncology, regular mammography, and lifestyle changes.

Non-hormonal treatment for fibrocystic mastopathy is indicated if the form of the disease is moderate. Therapy consists of the need to give up bad habits, exercise, and maintain proper nutrition. It is necessary to refuse:

animal fats;
fried and smoked foods;
semi-finished products;
alcohol;
strong tea;
coffee;
completely eliminate carbohydrates.

The diet should contain more fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products and seafood. If the functioning of the thyroid gland is impaired, meat consumption is limited.

To reduce pain in fibrocystic mastopathy, women are prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Diclofenac, Indomethacin, Brufen) and take them in the second phase of the menstrual cycle. The indicated remedies reduce swelling and inflammation, and promote the resorption of compactions.

Scientists have proven that disruption of the digestive tract contributes to the development of cancer and fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary gland, since deterioration of peristalsis slows down the process of estrogen utilization. Therefore, women need to consume foods rich in vegetable fiber, at least 1.5 liters of liquid per day.

Conservative treatment for fibrocystic mastopathy must necessarily include taking vitamins PP, E, A, B, C, selenium, zinc, sedatives. The vitamin-mineral complex has a beneficial effect on hormonal balance, improves blood circulation, helps reduce swelling of the mammary gland. Selenium, zinc, and tocopherol have an antioxidant effect and prevent the degeneration of cells into malignant formations.

During the premenstrual period, women suffering from bilateral fibrocystic mastopathy may experience significant swelling of the face and limbs. Such patients are advised to take diuretic drugs, diuretic herbal teas, and should also limit salt intake.

Herbal adaptogens are effective for mastopathy - Eleutherococcus, Radiola rosea. These drugs saturate the body with vitamins, increase immunity, strengthen the nervous system, and normalize blood pressure. You need to take the medicine for at least 4 months.

Surgical method of treatment

If other treatment methods for fibrocystic mastopathy do not produce results, the disease progresses, then it is indicated surgery. Resection of large nodes is carried out, after which the material is sent for histological examination. If cancer cells are detected, the mammary gland is completely removed and chemotherapy is prescribed. If the seals are benign, a course of conservative therapy is carried out after surgery.

When, as a result of diagnosis using pneumocystography, epithelial proliferation inside the cyst and the presence of atypical cells are revealed, surgical intervention and subsequent drug treatment are prescribed. In case of multiple formation of cysts or nodes, extended resection or subcutaneous mastectomy is performed.

After the therapy, women are prohibited from staying in the sun for a long time, visiting the sauna, solarium, or taking physiotherapeutic procedures. It is important to avoid stress and maintain immunity.

Folk remedies for mastopathy

How to cure fibrocystic mastopathy? Unconventional methods can only be used in combination with the main treatment and with the permission of the attending physician. Herbal medicine and homeopathic remedies help strengthen the body's immune defense, normalize hormonal levels, and restore the menstrual cycle.

White cabbage has earned positive reviews among women. The plant is rich in zinc, selenium, and contains all the necessary vitamins for tissue metabolism. The unique vitamin U has antitumor properties and has a powerful antioxidant effect.

Cabbage leaf is applied to the mammary gland as a compress at night. It is pre-lubricated with honey or butter. The procedure is done daily from the beginning of menstruation for 7 days. This recipe should not be used by women who are allergic to bee products.

Since the disease can be caused by stressful conditions, when treating fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary gland it is useful to drink soothing decoctions of valerian, motherwort, and lemon balm. Tea made from black currant, rose hips, citrus fruits, chokeberry helps normalize blood circulation, blood pressure, strengthening blood vessels.

Treatment with folk remedies restores the functioning of the ovaries, helps with infertility, uterine bleeding. One such method is red brush therapy. This medicinal plant contains essential oils, bioflavonoids, minerals and vitamins that normalize the balance of sex hormones and metabolic processes in the body. After using the red brush, women note a decrease in the soreness of the mammary glands, a cessation of the growth of nodes, and discharge from the nipples.

Prevention of fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands

Women of reproductive age before menopause must undergo mammography and examination by a gynecologist and mammologist once every 2 years. After menopause, preventive measures are indicated annually.

At home, you should conduct regular self-examination and palpation of the mammary glands. A change in size, the appearance of discharge from the nipples, or painful nodes in the chest are reasons for an urgent visit to the doctor. Fibrocystic mastopathy at an early stage is manifested by thickening of the gland, pain during menstruation. A woman may notice nodules. After the end of menstruation, the symptoms disappear.

It is important to choose the right bra; preference should be given to natural cotton materials. The underwear should not squeeze or deform the breasts.

An important measure for the prevention of mastopathy is the timely treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the organs. genitourinary system, abortion prevention. During lactation, the development of mastitis should not be allowed.

The fibrocystic form of mastopathy is a disease that requires urgent treatment. Delaying a visit to the doctor or uncontrolled use of medications can worsen a woman’s condition and lead to the degeneration of benign nodes into a cancerous tumor.

Bibliography

Viral, chlamydial and mycoplasma diseases of the genitals. Guide for the doctor. - M.: Information and Publishing House "Filin", 1997. -536 p.
Adamyan L.V. etc. Malformations of the uterus and vagina. - M.: Medicine, 1998.
New honey technology (Methodological recommendations) “Management of premature pregnancy complicated by premature rupture membranes"; Makarov O.V., Kozlov P.V. (Edited by Volodin N.N.) - RASPM; Moscow; TsKMS GOU VPO RGMU-2006.
Miscarriage, infection, innate immunity; Makarov O.V., Bakhareva I.V. (Gankovskaya L.V., Gankovskaya O.A., Kovalchuk L.V.) - “GEOTAR - Media”. - Moscow. - 73 pp. - 2007.

Graduated from Kirov State University medical academy in 2006. In 2007 she worked at the Tikhvin Central District Hospital on the basis of the therapeutic department. From 2007 to 2008 - employee of a mining company hospital in the Republic of Guinea (West Africa). From 2009 to the present day he has been working in the field of information marketing. medical services. We work with many popular portals, such as Sterilno.net, Med.ru, website

According to statistics, 50% of women experience fibrous mastopathy. Almost every patient who visited a gynecologist or mammologist’s office noticed the first signs of the disease, although not all of them enter the active phase of development.

Fibrous mastopathy of the mammary glands - what is it and what is the danger

The term “fibrous mastopathy” means pathological fibrocystic changes in the connective tissue of the mammary glands, within which one or more benign neoplasms form. For a long period they may not make themselves felt.

But despite their apparent harmlessness, tumors are very dangerous. In the advanced phase of development, they can even lead to breast cancer. To develop the correct treatment strategy, it is necessary to take into account the form of the disease and the severity of its course.

Why does your chest hurt - video

Forms of fibrous mastopathy and their differences from each other

The disease is usually divided into several forms, each of which has its own characteristics and characteristics:

Diffuse mastopathy.
- Glandular fibrous mastopathy most often occurs in young women and young girls. It is characterized by pronounced PMS (premenstrual syndrome), accompanied by swelling, soreness and hypersensitivity breasts After the end of menstruation, unpleasant symptoms disappear, but only for a while - until the start of the next menstruation.
- Fibrous-adenomatous mastopathy is characterized by the presence of nodes in one or both mammary glands. When palpated in the area of their location, severe discomfort is felt, but without significant pain. The neoplasm itself is not attached to the nipple, so it easily moves from one point to another.
- Fibrous-fatty mastopathy is characterized by complete replacement of glandular tissue with adipose and connective tissue. The pain is pulling or squeezing. It prevents a woman from sleeping and leading her usual lifestyle. It usually occurs a few days before the start of menstruation and gradually subsides after it ends. Often this form of mastopathy occurs during menopause or menopause.
Focal mastopathy develops when measures were not taken in time to treat the diffuse form of the disease. It poses a serious danger to a woman’s health, as it tends to provoke the development of cancerous tumors.

Mastopathy can be unilateral or bilateral. In the first case, only one mammary gland is involved in the pathological process, in the second, both are affected. Moreover, the seals can have different sizes, cause different pains and bring significant discomfort. The diseased gland increases in size and sags, which becomes the first alarm signal for a woman.

Causes of the disease and factors influencing the course of the disease

The main reason for the development of the disease is hormonal disbalance. It can occur due to a number of unfavorable factors:

multiple abortions;
poor nutrition;
infertility;
sedentary lifestyle, etc.

In addition, mastopathy can be provoked by unfavorable heredity, previous diseases of the ovaries, appendages and liver. Frequent stress nervous breakdowns, experiences are the main psychosomatic “pathogens” of the disease.

Iodine deficiency in the body also plays an important role. To reduce the risk of developing dangerous complications, it is often used iodine mesh. But it is effective only if the patient does not have other severe manifestations of fibrous mastopathy.

Late pregnancy (or lack thereof) directly affects a woman’s hormonal levels and can affect the functioning of not only the mammary glands, but also some internal organs.

Smoking, uncontrolled consumption alcoholic drinks or narcotic substances- another common cause of the development of the disease. However, bad habits often lead to more severe consequences rather than the formation of lumps or knots in the chest. Breast or cervical cancer are the most common and dangerous pathologies, provoked bad habits. Under the influence of nicotine, ethyl alcohol and narcotic substances, the reproductive function, which entails an imbalance of hormones in the body. It is for this reason that the use of the above-mentioned substances is very undesirable if a woman wants to become a happy mother in the future.

Symptoms and signs

Pain is the first thing that should alert a woman. It can be pulling, stabbing, cutting or bursting. It all depends on the shape of the tumor and its size.

Other associated symptoms:

The presence of lumps in one or both mammary glands, which cause pain or discomfort when pressed. The nodes move easily, causing discomfort.
Increase lymph nodes in the armpits.
A noticeable change in the size of the tumor-affected breast.
White or yellowish (colostrum-colored) discharge from the nipples that appears shortly before the start of menstruation and disappears after it ends. In some cases, fluid is released regardless of the onset of menstruation.
On palpation, there is no Koenig's sign (in a horizontal position, lumps in the mammary glands cannot be felt).

In addition to the general clinical manifestations of the disease, there are also echo signs of the disease (diffuse form of development). Only a specialist can determine them after performing an ultrasound of the mammary glands.

The examination helps to accurately determine the location of the tumor, its size, quantity, and type (cyst, fibroadenoma, etc.). If there is a need to conduct an ultrasound, it is better to do it on the 5th day from the start of the menstrual cycle - this will give more accurate results and complete information about the condition of the affected mammary gland.

Having noticed the first alarming symptoms, you need to seek help. medical care. Doctors say that timely treatment reduces the risk of the disease transitioning from a benign to a malignant phase of development. Self-medication is inappropriate - it can lead to dangerous complications.

Modern and effective methods for diagnosing the disease

Before starting treatment for pathology, the doctor must collect a complete medical history based on the following stages of diagnosis:

Questioning the patient and examining the mammary glands. The mammologist needs to accurately determine whether there are tumors inside, how much the affected breast has increased in size (with unilateral fibrous mastopathy). At the same stage, a thorough examination of the nipples is performed. The doctor checks to see if there is any discharge from them. After this, the doctor palpates the armpits to confirm or rule out enlarged lymph nodes.
Mammography. A diagnostic test (x-ray) of the mammary glands, performed using a special medical device - a mammograph. The procedure is carried out in direct and oblique projection. It is advisable to perform this manipulation 7–10 days from the start of the menstrual cycle. Based on the results of mammography, the doctor is able to classify the severity of the disease and its form.
Ultrasound of the mammary glands. It is considered the safest method for diagnosing mastopathy.
If cancer is suspected, a biopsy is performed. The principle of the method is to insert a thin needle into the tissue of the affected mammary gland in order to tear off a small piece of it, which will subsequently be examined for the presence of cancer cells.
Hormonal studies. They help establish the level of estrogen and progesterone in a woman’s body. If necessary, thyroid and adrenal hormones are also checked.
Ultrasound of the pelvic organs. The study is necessary to confirm/exclude pathologies or malfunction of the ovaries. A consultation with a gynecologist is indicated.
Screening for liver disease.

Often, specialists resort to an analysis such as a nipple smear. It allows you to differentiate fibrous mastopathy from the following pathologies:

Actinomycosis (bacterial infection of the mammary glands, which occurs with the formation of abscesses and small granulomas).
Tuberculosis.
Syphilis of the mammary glands.
Cancer.

If the disease is difficult to diagnose, the patient is sent for MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

The above diagnostic methods allow not only to determine the severity of the disease and its course, but also give the doctor the opportunity to prescribe effective treatment with minimal risk development of complications.

Treatment

A complete cure is one of the most difficult tasks today. Therapy is carried out taking into account the patient’s age, the severity of the process and often lasts more than a year, so you need to be patient. Treatment happens:

conservative;
operational.

In addition, a proper lifestyle and a nutritious diet will contribute to a speedy recovery. Additionally, it is recommended to use effective recipes traditional medicine.

Drug treatment

Therapy can be hormonal or non-hormonal. One course lasts from 3 to 6 months.

Non-hormonal treatment of the disease involves taking the following groups of drugs:

Vitamin complexes (Aevit, Triovit). The course lasts quite a long time and is indicated for women whose disease is not advanced.
Iodine preparations (Iodomarin). Before use, you should consult with an endocrinologist to rule out problems with the thyroid gland.
Sedatives or antidepressants (Valerian extract, Novo-passit, Fluoxetine) aimed at stabilization psychological state female patients (if the illness was caused by stress).
Painkillers. Diclak, Diclofenac, Naklofen are used to quickly eliminate pain.
Anti-inflammatory and decongestant drugs (Lidaza).
Medications with immunomodulatory properties (Polyoxidonium, Lykopid).
Herbal medicines (Mamoclam, Indinol). It is recommended to use only as an additional method.

Hormonal treatment of fibrous mastopathy of the mammary glands includes taking:

Gestagenov. Progesterone. Prescribed in the second half of the menstrual cycle (for example, Duphaston, Progestogel breast rubbing gel, Norkolut).
Androgens (for women over 45 years of age) (for example, Methyltestosterone).

Hormonal drugs - a proven method of treatment

Duphaston causes virtually no side effects
Progestogel does not affect the liver and kidneys, does not accumulate in other tissues and organs
Norkolut is an effective progestin drug

weight gain;
voice change;
disruptions of the menstrual cycle;
hearing impairment;
arterial hypertension.

Surgery

Surgical treatment is carried out only as a last resort, when the neoplasm is in the stage of transition to a malignant tumor or has already developed into breast cancer. The number of lumps, their diameter and the size of the areas of the breast affected by them also play an important role.

During the operation, excision of neoplasms is performed for the purpose of their further cytological examination. If the diagnosis of breast cancer is confirmed, the volume of tissue to be removed expands significantly.

After surgery, the patient must undergo a long period of rehabilitation, adhering to all the recommendations of the attending physician. This will significantly reduce the risk of relapse or eliminate it altogether.

Diet for mastopathy

After determining the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes special diet to stop the process of tumor development and relieve unpleasant accompanying symptoms. The regime implies strict adherence to several important rules:

Eliminate fats from your diet. They need to be replaced with foods rich in fiber: cereals and beans, for example.
Reduce the number of calories you consume. To do this, you can keep a special notebook where you need to write down the calorie content of foods consumed throughout the day.
Preference should be given to vegetable fats rather than animal fats.
Eat foods rich in vitamins A, B, C, E.
Limit the use of table salt.

Traditional medicine recipes

Traditional medicine offers its own, no less effective, methods of treating fibrous mastopathy. They can be used only at those stages of the disease when surgical intervention is not required. Throughout the entire period of therapy, it is necessary to regularly visit the doctor so as not to worsen the situation.

Elderberry juice helps get rid of the problem permanently, and not for a short period of time, like some well-known methods of traditional medicine. It should be consumed 30 minutes before meals as follows: take 1 tablespoon of berry juice with plenty of water (drink in small sips). The course of treatment lasts from 4 to 6 months. After 60 days the course is repeated. During this time, all symptoms of mastopathy completely disappear.

Apricot kernels. Therapeutic effect occurs due to the content of large amounts of vitamin B17 in the grains. Remove the core from 5–10 apricot kernels, dry naturally, avoiding contact with direct sun rays. You need to chew them in 2 pieces. 3 times a day, without drinking water. The course of therapy lasts until complete recovery (at least 3 months).

Red brush root (Rhodiola colda) is another well-known remedy in the fight against in different forms mastopathy. Used as a decoction. It helps to reduce tumors or their complete disappearance, reduce pain and discomfort during menstruation, and stop nipple discharge. Two tablespoons of the plant root are poured into 500 ml of water and boiled over low heat for 15 minutes. Then the broth is filtered and allowed to cool. Take 100 ml 3 times a day. If desired, you can add honey or sugar. Store the decoction for no more than 3 days. The plant contains flavonoids, essential oils, minerals, salts and organic acids

Treatment prognosis, possible complications and consequences

Fibrous mastopathy - serious illness requiring urgent treatment. If the disease is detected on time, the patient has a chance to get rid of it without resorting to surgery.

Complications after an illness can be unpredictable, including the appearance of malignant tumors.

No less danger lies within possible relapses fibrous mastopathy. The disease tends to return if the course of treatment has not been completed or the woman neglects prevention methods.

Prevention and lifestyle

To prevent and reduce discomfort during treatment, a woman needs to:

lead a healthy lifestyle;
to refuse from bad habits;
go in for sports (Pilates, fitness, aerobics);
spend more time in the fresh air;
avoid wearing tight or uncomfortable bras;
undergo a timely examination by a gynecologist and mammologist for the presence of tumors or lumps in the mammary glands, or ovarian pathologies.

All these tips will help protect yourself not only from mastopathy, but also reduce the risk of developing more severe and dangerous diseases.

To prevent such a disease from breaking in like a hurricane, a woman must tirelessly monitor her well-being and the health of her mammary glands. Every representative of the fair sex must remember that no one can take care of this better than herself. You should not neglect even the most seemingly insignificant signals from your body - what if they are a sign of the development of a serious pathology?