Diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy: what is it and how to treat?

How to treat diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy

Diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy is a benign oncological process that affects breast tissue. With the development of mastopathy, the relationship between the epithelial and interstitial components is disrupted, as the phenomena of proliferation and regression take place.

The relevance of this disease is due to the fact that it should be considered as a background against which malignant processes can develop. The frequency of degeneration into a malignant form depends on the severity of the proliferative process in mastopathy. Thus, with pronounced proliferation, the risk of developing breast cancer is 32%, and with mild proliferation – only 1%

What it is?

Fibrocystic mastopathy is a violation of the ratio of the connective and epithelial components of breast tissue, accompanied by changes of a proliferative and regressive nature.

It is customary to distinguish two forms of the disease:

Non-proliferative form. With this form of the disease, cysts of different sizes form inside the breast: from a few millimeters to several centimeters. At the initial stage of development of the disease, the formation of structures resembling bunches of grapes occurs. As the pathology progresses, the process of increased collagen production begins, which leads to the compaction of connective tissue, its proliferation and the formation of scars. As a result, the lobules that represent the mammary gland stretch and cysts form inside them. The non-proliferative form of the disease does not carry a high risk of malignancy of the pathological process. It is no more than 0.86%.
The proliferative form is characterized by the launch of the proliferation process, that is, the growth of epithelial and connective tissue through cell division. With proliferation of moderate severity, the risk of degeneration of the pathological process into malignant is 2.34%. With a pronounced degree of proliferation, these values increase to 31.4%.

If we look at the statistics of the disease in general, there is a tendency towards an increase in pathology among women all over the world. During reproductive age, the disease affects on average up to 40% of women. If you have a history of multiple gynecological diseases, then the risk of encountering mastopathy ranges from 70 to 98%.

The high-risk group includes women who suffer from hyperplastic pathologies of the genital organs. During menopause, diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy is less common. Up to 20% of women suffer from it. After menopause occurs, new cystic formations most often do not appear. This statistical fact is also further evidence of the direct involvement of hormones in the development of the disease.

Causes of mastopathy

The main cause of mastopathy is considered to be a hormonal imbalance, consisting in increased production of the hormone estrogen.

Hormonal imbalances can also be caused by the following factors:

Multiple abortions, the consequence of which is always severe hormonal disruption of the entire endocrine system of the body;
Gynecological diseases, both inflammatory (endometritis, adnexitis) and tumors (uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis);
No pregnancies before age 30;
The likelihood of mastopathy increases in the presence of endocrine diseases (thyroid dysfunction, diabetes mellitus), as well as diseases of the liver and biliary tract (hepatitis, cholecystitis, etc.)
Refusal to breastfeed or its duration is too short (less than 6 months). If a woman breastfeeds her child for more than 6 months, this reduces the risk of developing mastopathy by 2 times.

Other contributing factors:

Injuries to the mammary glands (impacts, severe compression);
Psycho-emotional factors (depression, neuroses, stress, chronic fatigue syndrome);
Hereditary predisposition;
Bad habits (smoking, alcohol abuse, tanning fashion).

Clinically, there are two main forms of mastopathy: diffuse and nodular.

Provoking factors

Caffeine stimulates estrogen production.
Its excess accumulates in a toxic form, causing cancer. Throughout life, the mammary glands undergo changes. They depend on the amount of hypothalamic-pituitary, sex steroid, and other hormones of the endocrine system - thyroid, pancreas and adrenal glands. An imbalance of any active substance provokes persistent disturbances in the formation of breast tissue and leads to their growth.

A large amount of estrogen leads to uncontrolled cell division. Stimulate estrogen production:

caffeine in ground natural coffee;
legumes;
chicken meat, since in factories estrogen is added to birds' feed to accelerate growth and fat accumulation.

Smoking negatively affects the functioning of the liver, as a result of which the hormone estrogen remains in the blood for a long time and attacks cells. The
hormone is utilized in the liver, so any disruption of its functioning - by smoking, drinking alcohol, fatty fried foods - estrogen remains in the blood for a long time and attacks sensitive cells. it tissue, causing cells to divide.

Adipose tissue accumulates and stores estrogen, so doctors recommend that overweight women lose weight to release hormones and utilize them through the liver.

A lack of progesterone, which is synthesized by the adrenal glands and the corpus luteum in the second phase of the menstrual cycle, also provokes an imbalance. The role of progesterone is to balance estrogen, but when its production is insufficient, estrogen is the dominant substance that provokes various tumors.

Pituitary dysfunction manifests itself in elevated prolactin levels. During breastfeeding, this hormone stimulates the production of colostrum and then milk. If there is an excess of it, discharge from the breast can appear even in young girls who have not given birth. With an increased level of prolactin and simultaneous exposure to progesterone, the rate of cell growth increases several times: from 4 to 18. With poor functioning of the thyroid gland, prolactin increases.

Why do hormonal imbalances occur?

Late childbirth is a favorable factor for the occurrence of breast diseases.
Disruptions in the endocrine system occur for a number of reasons:

hereditary factors;
miscarriage or artificial termination;
reluctance to breastfeed the baby;
early onset of menstruation, too early or late menopause;
long-term use of hormonal drugs;
late labor or absence thereof;
environmental situation in the region;
obesity;
diabetes;
circulatory disorders in the pelvis.

The period between 40 and 45 years is especially important, when a woman experiences a hormonal surge. The stress hormone - adrenaline - indirectly affects the formation of tumors, since it is opposed by cortisol - a substance that helps to survive a stressful situation. If more adrenaline is produced, the body reacts with increased production of estrogen, so women should not be in a tense state for a long time. One way to get out of a stressful situation is to get a good night's sleep.

Symptoms

According to experts, the diffuse form of the disease is its initial stage. That is why the symptoms of the disease in some patients are quite blurred, as a result of which women may not pay due attention to their condition for a long time. However, without treatment, the disease progresses.

There are certain signs that allow one to suspect diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy in a patient:

Swelling of the mammary glands and an increase in their volume.
Chest pain. It has a dull, aching character and disappears after the onset of menstruation. Over time, the pain becomes more intense and lasting; it can be localized not only in the chest, but also radiate to the arm, shoulder or armpit. In some patients, even a light touch to the affected gland can cause pain. With further development of the disease, the pain becomes less significant.
Enlarged lymph nodes located in the armpits.
Loss of sleep, feelings of fear and anxiety.
The appearance of discharge from the nipples. They can be very different: abundant or scanty, bloody or colorless.
Changes in the skin of the nipples: cracks, retraction of the nipple or skin.
The appearance of formations in tissues. They can be either multiple (resembling a bunch of grapes) or single. Such formations do not have clear boundaries and can be found in different places of the mammary glands.

The degree of manifestation of symptoms of diffuse mastopathy depends on the phase of the menstrual cycle: they make themselves felt most strongly in the second half of the cycle, and after the start of the critical days, the symptoms smooth out. For many women in later stages of the disease, pain and lumps remain regardless of the phase of the cycle.

Classification

The diffuse form of the disease is divided into:

adenosis – mastopathy with a predominance of the glandular component;
fibrocystic – mastopathy with a predominance of the cystic component;
fibroadenosis – mastopathy with a predominance of the fibrous component;
sclerosing adenosis;
mixed form.

In terms of localization, diffuse FCM can be unilateral or bilateral (affecting one or both mammary glands). According to the severity of clinical manifestations, moderate, minor and severe forms are distinguished.

Why is mastopathy dangerous?

Diffuse fibrocystic pathology (FCM) is a benign process that is characterized by abnormal development of mammary gland tissue. Some types of cells actively multiply (that is, proliferation occurs), others regress - as a result, the ratio of the connective tissue component and the actual active secretory tissue changes.

Despite the declared benignity of fibrocystic changes, mastopathy is a favorable background for the development of malignant oncological diseases, and therefore is classified as a precancerous condition. With active proliferation of cells in the affected gland, the risk of cancer reaches 32%. With less activity of the pathological process, the risk is reduced to 1%, but this indicator cannot be neglected.

The vast majority of cases of diagnosis of fibrocystic pathology occur in women of childbearing age whose mammary glands are active. During perimenopause, significantly fewer such pathologies are observed. Women pay almost no attention to the primary signs of the disease, since they are not expressed by serious pain and are perceived as temporary discomfort. However, with age, the disease progresses and can lead to dangerous consequences.

Diagnostics

Considering the technical capabilities of diagnostic medicine, identifying diffuse cystic mastopathy is not difficult. All middle-aged women must undergo screening or preventive examination. From the age of 35, breast ultrasound is performed once a year; from the age of 40, X-ray mammography is prescribed once a year.

If a woman has signs of diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy, then diagnostic testing methods are prescribed by the doctor. Possible options:

Consultation with an endocrinologist and oncologist.
Anamnesis collection ─ general data, complaints, family history.
Breast examination, palpation.
Examination for gynecological diseases, taking smears.
Ductography is an X-ray examination of the milk ducts using a contrast agent.
Ultrasound examination, which evaluates benign and malignant formations with high accuracy.
Biopsy of a lump or cyst ─ histological examination of the tissues of the formation.
X-ray mammography is a study with a low radiation dose and minimal stress on the body.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) with contrast.
Blood tests for hormones: TSH, fT4, LH, FSH, prolactin, estradiol, progesterone.
Ultrasound of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands.
Microscopic examination of nipple discharge

There is no degeneration of diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy into cancer. The danger is that the disease prevents timely recognition of the presence of a malignant process in the breast.

Diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy

Closed club of diagnostic doctors

From about the age of forty-five, the tender mammary gland begins to cause 30-40 percent of women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding great inconvenience: it suddenly becomes lumpy to the touch, the nipples become rough, and discharge appears from them.

Closed club of diagnostic doctors

In the described cases, we can talk about a rather serious pathology - diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy, which, in addition to significant pain, threatens with many dangerous health consequences.

Acting as one of the manifestations of mastopathy, diffuse cystic mastopathy has, along with the general signs of dishormonal mammary hyperplasia, its own characteristic clinical manifestations that affect well-being and the specifics of treatment.

Key features of the disease

What is mastopathy? Literally translated from the ancient Greek language, traditionally used in medicine to professionally designate pathologies, mastopathy has been called the most common disease affecting the female breast for more than a century.

Moreover, this incredibly common diagnosis is given to a woman if she has:

abnormally intense proliferation of breast tissue;
aching, “dull” soreness, a feeling of “fullness” and/or heaviness in the mammary glands (in 15% of patients there is no pain, but there are always lumps), periodically occurring at different periods of the cycle;
compacted areas in the breast tissue;
cyclical or acyclic pain in the affected areas, especially in the first phase of the menstrual cycle;
abnormal secretion of milk (galactorrhea that occurs with hyperprolactinia), other discharge from the nipples (mostly clear or cloudy, but never bloody or bloody in nature!);
bloody nipple discharge
enlarged axillary lymph nodes.

The presence of a proliferative factor, i.e. associated with an abnormally high frequency of cell division and tissue volume growth, is detected by microscopic examination methods. Often during preventive examinations, a woman is diagnosed with residual effects of fibrocystic mastopathy, what is it? This is the same mastopathy, only detected at the stage of remission, i.e. recovery.

The term “mastopathy” has clinical differentiation according to its three varieties: the most initial, diffuse form - characterized by multiple formation of cysts or neoplasms from hyperplastic cells in the tissues of the gland;

The diffuse variety is an advanced localized form, i.e. focal (nodular), or in the form of a single cyst or intraductal papilloma (Mintz disease);

The nodular nature of inflammation is the most common mixed, i.e. There are both diffuse and focal lesions.

It is permissible to say: diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands - what is this manifestation of mastopathy, in which benign connective tissue tumors (fibrosis) and mobile round formations not associated with the layers of skin and fascia - cysts - form in the breast in several places at once (single or multiple).

In addition, the “diffuse” , according to macroscopic indicators, is divided into three more main subtypes, depending on the specific clinical picture of proliferation:

cystic (other names: cystosis, adenomatosis, Reclus disease);
glandular (adenosis);
fibrous (fibroadenomatosis);
mixed.

Often, with this type of disease, two or all three types of lesions are diagnosed at once. But most often the diagnosis is diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy as a mixed form.

Fibrocystic mastopathy - what is it? So what is fibrocystic mastopathy? This is a type of damage to the gland intended for feeding offspring, which involves a whole complex of diverse negative changes: proliferative (hyperplasia, proliferation of connective tissue and parts of the organ - ducts, lobes); regressive, determining difficulty or complete loss of organ functionality (in the form of atrophy, fibrosis, cyst formation).

Thus, in those suffering from this type of pathology, there is a critical imbalance between the two main tissues of the gland:

epithelial;
connecting.

Pathophysiology Like other diseases, diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands has its own laws of occurrence, evolution and unfavorable outcome.

Diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands

Provoking factors The main reason why diffuse cystic mastopathy of the mammary gland occurs is a hormonal imbalance: the appearance of hyperestrogenism, and/or hyperprolactinemia (the risk of the disease increases by 40%!), and/or hyperprogesteronemia. Data about what diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy is explain the harm of hyperestrogenism, which entails:

proliferation of the epithelium of the ducts and alveoli of the gland;
increased growth of glandular tissue;
activation of fibroblasts.

Thus, due to some unfavorable circumstances, an imbalance occurs in such steroid and peptide compounds that affect the health of the genital organs and breast tissue, such as: progesterone - its required concentration decreases; increased concentration of prolactin; a critically increased level of estrogen in the blood (consisting of estradiol, estrone and estriol).

It is the excessive level of steroids produced by the ovaries and extragonadal tissues (pituitary gland, adrenal cortex, hair follicles, etc.), against the background of progesterone deficiency, that leads to the appearance of symptoms of diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy.

Who is at risk? Today, experts claim that there is no interdependence between mechanical trauma to the delicate tissues of the mammary glands and the occurrence of DFC mastopathy, and that such damage to the organ does not even lead to oncology! But due to natural physiological and age-related reasons, the likelihood of the disease increases starting from the age of thirty. In addition, a number of factors have been identified that contribute to abnormal proliferation.

Hormonal changes Hormonal dysfunction, leading to mixed fibrocystic mastopathy, like its other varieties, is likely in women who have problems with:

disorders of reproductive function;
gynecological diseases;
nervous overstrain (about 80% risk);
insufficiency of adrenal secretion;
tumors (adenoma) of the pituitary gland;
constant intoxication of the body (inflammatory processes, viruses, harmful production, etc.).

Also, diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy of both mammary glands or one threatens those who have an early onset of the first menstruation, which caused sharp hormonal changes, as well as a late menopause due to prolonged hyperestrogenism. Women will have problems with hormone production:

those who did not breastfeed and/or were not pregnant, while a single pregnancy in their life, due to its weak protective effect, will not guarantee the non-detection of echographic signs of fibrocystic mastopathy;
few (up to 1 month), or too long (more than a year) breastfeeding;
those who have had three or more abortions (the likelihood that echo signs of fibrocystic mastopathy will be detected increases fourfold!);
whose first pregnancy occurred after thirty (ideally, the first pregnancy and childbirth should occur within ten years from menarche).

In addition, the cause of hormone imbalance that causes diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy of mixed form or any other form is: menstrual irregularities (amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea); disturbances in the receptive ability of mammary gland tissue with normal hormonal status.

It upsets the production of sex hormones and immunological diseases, as well as functional disorders of the liver, leading to disruption of the metabolism of steroid hormones, and the thyroid gland (the likelihood of echo signs of diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy increases by three and a half times).

Mastalgia and PMS According to numerous clinical observations, it is known: diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy is a condition that is often detected in women suffering from premenstrual mastalgia (chest pain) due to cyclic swelling and venous congestion. So, for those who complain of painful sensations in the gland during PMS, the likelihood of a benign or malignant tumor appearing in it increases two and a half times!

Mastitis There is data showing: diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands - that in thirty-three percent of cases this is a consequence of inflammation (mastitis) in the postpartum period.

Chest pain due to mastitis Improper and irregular diet Before treating diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy, the factor of poor nutrition should also be eradicated, since a diet rich in animal fats increases the risk of the disease.

Closed club of diagnostic doctors

Psychoneurogenic causes Due to the regulating influence of the cerebral cortex and the hypothalamic-pituitary system on the functioning of the endocrine glands, the harm from disabling the neurohumoral system is obvious due to many factors:

gynecological and venereal diseases;
organic and functional disorders of the nervous system;
artificial termination of pregnancy, etc.

Moreover, a woman’s anthropometric data (her weight, height, body type) also influence neuroendocrine regulation and cause its malfunctions.

Unfavorable ecology Urban women are better “familiar” with diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy of mixed form: what it is is known to two and a half times more urban women. The reason is gas pollution and increased ionizing radiation and indicators of environmental pollution due to the activities of large industries.

Development of the pathological process As soon as factors that can cause the occurrence of a diffuse form of fibrocystic mastopathy have initiated it, negative physiological changes begin to occur in the female breast. With different individual dynamics, pathogenesis is expressed by atypical growth: in the ducts and alveoli of the epithelium; connective tissue of the gland that does not play a physiological role in the production of milk.

As a result, neoplasms of various diameters (at the initial stage, usually the size of a grain of millet, then reaching the volume of a large walnut unshelled) appear in the chest, hard to the touch - nodules. Sometimes, instead of nodes in the chest, compactions of an unclear geometric shape appear - the so-called strands: this is fibrocystic mastopathy.

Consequences

Like other diseases of the female breast, fibroma-cystic mastopathy of the mammary glands is quite capable of malignantly degenerating into oncology over time. According to statistics, the likelihood of breast cancer increases: 2.6 times with hyperplastic processes; 4.5 times if the mother has breast cancer; 6 times – with atypical tissue metamorphoses.

Diagnostics

Early diagnosis, including mandatory clarification of the etiology of the disease, is the key not only to successful and productive treatment, but also an important measure that prevents the transformation of initially quite harmless signs of diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands into a cancerous tumor. Typically, diagnostic methods are practically no different from those used when there is a suspicion of oncological processes. At the very first appointment, the general practitioner or gynecologist traditionally: listens to the patient’s complaints; performs a visual examination and palpation of the mammary glands.

If there are characteristic signs of diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy, or if there is a suspicion of it, the therapist gives the patient a referral to a gynecologist, or, if the initial appointment was carried out by a gynecologist, to a more specialized specialist, a mammologist. Next, the doctor resorts to special research methods in order to make an accurate diagnosis. To do this, women's breasts are subjected to the following types of targeted screening:

non-invasive (i.e. without penetration into tissue) and absolutely safe even for pregnant and lactating women, ultrasound examination, preferable for young patients;
puncture of compacted areas and cysts;
expensive and less informative magnetic resonance and computed tomography followed by mammography;
thermography (in the form of recording temperature indicators of the breast skin, their increase illustrates inflammation);
highly sensitive (up to 98%!) X-ray projection, digital or film mammography on special attachments to X-ray machines or on mammography devices;
Mammogram, arrow - cancerous tumor.
imprint of nipple discharge;
pneumocystography, which involves puncture of the cyst, aspiration of its contents, followed by filling the cavity with gas;
X-ray ductography - by introducing a contrast agent into the milk ducts.

Diffuse fibrous mastopathy of the mammary glands mammography

X-ray, ultrasound and magnetic resonance irradiation are recommended for the patient from the sixth to the twelfth day of the menstrual cycle, or, in its absence (menopause, amenorrhea) and if cancer is suspected, on any convenient day. If histological materials are obtained along the way, then they all undergo a thorough cytological examination in the laboratory. For greater information, several diagnostic studies are carried out at once, for example, combining ultrasound with a mammogram and biopsy.

In extreme cases, they resort to sectoral resection in the form of surgical excision of a suspicious area of tissue, and its microscopic examination. Self-diagnosis Women from the United States and developed European countries have long made it a rule to conduct regular self-examinations of their own breasts at home.

In Russia, the culture of monitoring one’s own health has not yet become commonplace, given the simplicity and accessibility of self-examination. On the Internet and from your local gynecologist, you can absolutely freely obtain information regarding a simple procedure available to every representative of the “fairer sex.” So, you can literally every morning do: an examination of both mammary glands for their deformation or obvious change in shape; gentle, but rather intense palpating of the skin and deep-lying tissues.

If you detect atypical lumps, asymmetry of the glands, changes in their shape or position, as well as the appearance of all kinds of discharge from the nipples (light, mixed with blood, cloudy, etc.), you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Who needs professional preventive examination In economically prosperous countries, regular preventive examinations of the breast through x-ray examination are the norm for those over thirty-five.

Despite the fact that for diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy, treatment precedes a routine examination by a gynecologist, to whom the woman could turn for a completely different problem, preventive examinations are required to be carried out regularly by women who have crossed the forty-five-year mark. At the same time, the reason for a visit to the gynecological department or, even better, to a mammologist, for women should not be pronounced signals of trouble, but preventive measures.

Mammological examination Such examinations to identify the signs of diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy, as well as by X-ray and other methods, are carried out regularly, i.e. at least once every two years for persons starting from the age of thirty-five; once a year for women at risk; once a year for women over forty-five years old.

Treatment

For diffuse cystic mastopathy, treatment can be either conservative or radical, and is chosen individually, guided by: - aggravation of the condition by other gynecological and/or endocrine diagnoses; - hormonal status. Restorative measures aimed at eliminating all accompanying symptoms, including other diseases, are more effective the earlier they are started, and in some cases can drag on for many years.

Homeopathy and traditional medicine will help in the fight for health. Conservative methods For diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands, non-radical treatment is prescribed: in the absence of complications; after surgical intervention for the nodular form of the disease.

Traditional conservative methods, which are used in the absence of tissue proliferation, include the following therapeutic methods: - hormonal; - non-hormonal. The choice of a specific method is invariably influenced by the personal clinical characteristics of the pathology.

In any case, the patient adjusts her usual lifestyle and is prescribed a mineral-vitamin complex consisting of the following vitamins:

E (tocopherol);
C (ascorbic acid);
B1 (thiamine);
B6 (pyridoxine);
A (retinol), excluding its use during menstruation.

According to indications, patients with diffuse cystic mastopathy (that this is exactly this type is not important) are prescribed a course of: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and diuretics in order to relieve premenstrual tension; hepatoprotectors that improve liver functioning (Phosphogliv, Essentiale, Allochol, Milk thistle, etc.);

drugs of natural and synthetic origin that increase the body’s nonspecific resistance to a variety of pathogenic effects (adaptogens); sedatives and traditional medicine; herbal preparations (for example, mastodinone), etc.

Analgesics, potassium iodide, which prevents uncontrolled cell division, and agents that improve blood circulation are also used.

Hormonal treatment The doctor gives recommendations to a patient with diffuse cystic mastopathy on how to treat them - using hormonal or non-hormonal therapy - after first conducting a full and comprehensive examination. When choosing hormone therapy for the most effective treatment, the following are available both individually and in some combination:

oral contraceptives with low concentrations of hormones;
gonadal hormone analogues;
thyroid hormones;
progestins;
hormonal agonists and antagonists (for example, antiestrogens).

Radical methods A woman is referred to a surgeon if she has severe fibrocystic mastopathy, including: nodular type; when the cyst size is more than three centimeters; when atypical intensive proliferation is detected in the punctate from the gland; the presence of bloody contents in the cyst cavity. Usually, if the process is benign, the surgeon performs a sectoral resection.

Lifestyle with diagnosis Many doctors are convinced: diffuse cystic mastopathy of the mammary gland - that this is an absolute contraindication for: - smoking; - drinking alcohol even in small doses; — to carry out such physical procedures as warming up; - visiting baths and saunas. Patients are prohibited from excessive sunbathing and exposure to artificial ultraviolet irradiation in a solarium.

Natural and artificial tanning are unacceptable! In any case, the reasons for diffuse cystic mastopathy, how to treat without causing harm to health, are compelling: the female body during this period is significantly weakened and needs restorative techniques.

In order to increase the body’s natural defenses, you should: eat a full and balanced diet, introduce more foods rich in soy and fiber into your diet; eliminate worries and strong feelings; monitor water-salt metabolism; avoid physical fatigue.

Deep, at least eight hours of sleep at night, regular exercise, walks in the fresh air and positive emotions will definitely enhance the effectiveness of treatment.

Closed club of diagnostic doctors

Treatment

The chosen treatment method for fibrocystic mastopathy depends on the stage of the disease. Basically, it is complex, that is, it is accompanied by taking medications, eliminating diseases that became the precursors of this disease, as well as following a diet and using folk remedies.

Treatment of diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands is carried out using non-hormonal medications.

These include the following:

Treatment for FCM does not take place without taking vitamin-containing medications. In this case, you will need to take vitamins for a fairly long period of time. Particular attention is paid to vitamins of groups A, B, E and C.
Preparations that contain a lot of iodine. These are “Iodine-active”, “Iodomarin”, “Klamin”. They help restore normal functioning of the thyroid gland. However, prescribing them to yourself is strictly prohibited.
In case of severe pain due to breast disease, treatment is carried out using painkillers. For example, Diclofenac.
Homeopathic remedies will help reduce the production of prolactin. “Mastodinon”, “Remens”, “Cyclodinone” have positive reviews. For the desired effect, it is necessary to take medications for at least six months.
To reduce nervous tension, the patient may need sedatives and sedatives. Tinctures based on motherwort, valerian and other medicinal plants help very well.

Diffuse fibrotic disease of the mammary glands should include treatment that will be aimed at restoring the functioning of the hypothalamus-pituitary gland-ovaries. Most often, it is recommended to use hormonal drugs for this. These include the following:

Oral contraceptives "Marvelon" and "Janine". The peculiarity of their reception is strict adherence to the instructions.
Medicines based on gestagens. These include Utrozhestan, Duphaston, Norethisterone. It is best to take them during the second phase of the menstrual cycle. Otherwise the effect will not be as strong.
Women over 45 years of age should take androgens. Such drugs include Methyltestosterone, Fareston and Tamoxifen. The duration of treatment is determined individually depending on each case of the disease.
In advanced cases of the disease, it is advisable to use inhibitors that stimulate the production of prolactin for treatment. This is the drug "Parlodel".

It is advisable to carry out therapy for fibrocystic mastopathy only after a thorough medical examination, which will establish the variety of forms of breast disease. When diagnosing the cystic variety of the disease, it will be necessary to perform puncture and cytological examination of the breast tissue. If the presence of a benign tumor is established, surgical intervention may be quite sufficient.

Treatment with folk remedies

Mastopathy is a disease known since ancient times, so there are a lot of folk recipes. But it is important to remember that this method can only cure the disease in the early stages of its development and taking into account the doctor’s recommendations.

Tinctures. Prepared using herbs that are infused with alcohol. You can prepare them yourself or buy them ready-made at the pharmacy:

alcohol tincture of boron uterus;
tincture of pine nut shells;
propolis tincture.

Decoctions. They help normalize hormonal levels, cope with tumors and get rid of associated inflammatory diseases occurring in the body. The herbs are infused in boiling water and taken orally. For the treatment of diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy, it is recommended to drink herbal decoctions:

burdock root;
boron uterus;
red brush to regulate the functioning of the thyroid gland;
yarrow;
chagi.

Lotions and compresses. Herbal compresses should be applied to the chest overnight for several weeks to achieve the following results:

burdock leaf compress;
cabbage compress with honey;
flatbread made from rye flour;
pumpkin compress;
compress of grated beets and honey.

The use of traditional methods for the treatment of fibrocystic mastopathy should also be carried out under the supervision of the attending physician. Herbal medicine implies the ability to prepare decoctions from several herbs at once or use ready-made mixtures that can be purchased at a pharmacy.

Pregnancy and illness

With diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands, pregnancy and a successful birth are possible. If conception occurs, it is important to inform your doctor. Mammography, examination of the milk ducts by injecting dyes, and other complex procedures are not recommended for pregnant women. It is recommended to be careful when treating with herbs.

Typically, expectant mothers are prescribed light maintenance therapy with hormonal correction. The doctor can prescribe safe herbal medicines that have a calming, decongestant and analgesic effect.

Breastfeeding is also allowed with diffuse FCM. Often it helps to correct the patient’s condition. Cysts may decrease in size or disappear altogether. The only thing is that it is important not to feed the baby for too long (no more than 12 months). Otherwise, the risk of tumors increases.

Diet

The therapeutic diet should contain products to stabilize hormonal levels. Food should be rich in fiber (greens, grains).

It is important to take natural estrogen (legumes, cabbage of all varieties). Vitamin therapy strengthens the immune system and gives the body strength (citrus fruits, raw vegetables and fruits). Natural iodine is a cure for mastopathy. Eating fish, seafood, liver and sour milk will replenish the body with phospholipids. It is necessary to drink 2 liters of plain water, this will help to quickly restore metabolic processes.

Most often, giving up your usual unhealthy lifestyle helps cure any illness. Fibrocystic mastopathy is easier to prevent, and this requires a timely visit to the doctor. At the initial stage of the disease, it is easier to defeat the disease.

Prevention and possible complications

Compliance with preventive measures reduces the risk of the disease and promotes a speedy recovery if it occurs. These include: giving up bad habits, avoiding stressful situations, choosing the right underwear, maintaining an active lifestyle, reducing salt consumption, timely treatment of diseases of the pelvic organs.

It is important to competently select hormonal contraceptives and regularly visit an oncologist and mammologist (at least once a year). Breastfeeding a child for more than 6 months reduces the risk of developing cancer by 2 times.

All women, including healthy ones, need to learn how to check their mammary glands on their own. This advice is especially relevant in the periclimacteric period (after the age of 45). This is done by visually examining the breast in the mirror and feeling it while lying down and standing. If any abnormal lump is detected, you should consult a doctor.

Despite the benign course, fibrocystic changes are a favorable background for the development of malignant diseases. With active proliferation (growth) of affected cells, the risk of cancer is 32%. With less activity of the pathological process, the risk decreases to 1%.

Diagnostic methods

A breast biopsy eliminates the possibility of developing cancer.
At any age, it is necessary to periodically check the mammary gland for the presence of tumors. You can do this in front of a mirror, undressing to the waist. First, examine whether the breasts are symmetrically located, whether there are any tubercles, how the nipples are positioned relative to each other. Then, starting from the nipple and moving in a circle, feel every centimeter of the mammary gland. This must be done if there are cases of mastopathy or breast cancer in the family.

Diagnosis in the hospital is carried out using:

Ultrasound. If there are compactions, the sensor shows their exact number and location, as well as the internal structure - glandular, liquid in fibrocystic disease or connective tissue.
To rule out cancer, your doctor may suggest taking a piece of tissue to study the cells. The biopsy is performed under ultrasound guidance. With a mixed form, different tissue samples are taken.
Mammography is the main type of instrumental examination, which is carried out using X-rays. Mammography is performed with or without contrast. This allows you to determine whether the tumor has its own vessels or not.
Ductography is the study of ducts.
MRI – to exclude brain tumors.

In addition to instrumental methods, laboratory methods are used to measure the amount of hormones in the body. You may also need a test for prolactin, insulin, and thyroid hormones.