Mastopathy is a benign disease of the breast. It occurs mainly in violation of the hormonal balance. When conducting a self-examination of the breast, a woman can detect the main signs of the formation of pathology.
It is not always possible to distinguish the course of mastopathy from breast cancer only by external signs. That is why it is recommended to use special techniques that allow you to find out exactly what kind of disease it is. Only after the diagnosis is made, the required treatment is prescribed.
Feature of the disease
Mastopathy is a pathology of the mammary gland associated with a significant proliferation of connective and glandular tissue. Breast development and formation is influenced by sex hormones, namely estrogens and progesterone, which are produced in the ovaries.
The causes of mastopathy are associated with pathological changes in the tissues of the mammary gland. This is caused by an excess of estrogen and a lack of progesterone. Hormonal balance can be disturbed due to diseases of the genitalorgans, as well as due to prolonged use of oral contraceptives.
Imbalance occurs when the natural course of physiological processes in the body is disturbed, after surgery on the ovaries and uterus. The causes of mastopathy are also associated with an excess of prolactin. It is a hormone that regulates milk production.
The risk group is mainly women 30-40 years old, as there is a weakening of ovarian function, as well as changes in hormonal levels.
Main species
Doctors distinguish between such forms of mastopathy as:
- fibrous;
- fibrocystic;
- cystic;
- nodal;
- diffuse;
- involutive.
Fibrous mastopathy is a benign disease, during which the glandular tissue is displaced and deformed under the influence of pathological growth of the connective tissue. As a result, the neoplasm leads to squeezing and blockage of the ducts of the mammary gland, causing the woman considerable discomfort and even some pain.
The causes of fibrocystic mastopathy are mainly associated with age-related hormonal changes in a woman's body. The disease manifests itself in the formation of dense accumulations of connective tissue, which, under the influence of adverse factors, can degenerate into a cyst.
The causes of cystic mastopathy are associated with a change in the level of hormones in the body, which is often observed during menopause. With this type of disease, numerous cysts are diagnosed, that is, formations withelastic texture. In this case, pain is observed. Morphologically, it looks quite specific. The radiograph clearly shows a pattern that resembles large loops.
Nodular mastopathy develops as a result of prolonged changes in the hormonal composition of the blood, which lead to the formation of fibrous nodes in the chest. This type of disease is often accompanied by the appearance of other neoplasms, in particular, such as fibroadenoma, angioma, cyst, lipoma. This disease has a rather high risk of degeneration of the neoplasm into a malignant tumor.
Diffuse mastopathy is different in that it often affects not a separate area of the breast, but the entire organ.
Involutive mastopathy affects only the layer of subcutaneous fat. Pathology often develops in the lower lobes of the mammary gland and only sometimes in the upper ones. Gradually, the disease provokes breast deformity. The causes and signs of mastopathy can be different, which is why a periodic examination by a doctor is required.
Causes of occurrence
The main cause of breast mastopathy experts call hormonal failure. With the normal functioning of the body, cyclical changes occur every month, including in the chest. The lack of progesterone, a hormone responsible for the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and fetal development, with an increase in estrogen is the main factor in the occurrence of mastopathy.
An increase in prolactin levels is also of considerable importance,that is, a hormone that is responsible for the growth and normal development of the mammary gland. In addition to hormonal disorders, the causes of mastopathy can be such factors:
- gynecological diseases;
- abortion;
- menstruation disorder;
- genetic predisposition;
- not breastfeeding;
- Wrong choice of hormonal drugs;
- chest injury;
- obesity;
- tobacco smoking;
- stress.
Provoking factors should also include wearing too tight a bra. Regardless of the cause of mastopathy in women, it is very important to recognize the symptoms of the pathology, to diagnose and treat.
Main symptoms
Depending on the form, stage and cause of mastopathy, the symptoms of the disease may vary slightly. Among the main signs, it is necessary to highlight such as:
- chest pain before period;
- discharge from nipples;
- appearance of seals in the chest.
Initially, there is a slight soreness in the chest, which the woman perceives as premenstrual syndrome. However, after a while, the pulling pain can become sharp, stabbing, and more intense. She starts to give in the hand and under the shoulder blade.
In the second half of the cycle, swelling and engorgement of the mammary gland appears. The growing tissues squeeze the blood vessels, which leads to swelling and enlargement of the gland. When pressing on the nipples, discharge appears. Their color may beabsolutely anyone. Greenish discharge appears if inflammation occurs in the lobules and ducts. The most dangerous is spotting. This sign may indicate the formation of a malignant tumor.
May be one node or several at once. With diffuse mastopathy, a fine-grained seal is palpated due to an increase in the lobules in the mammary gland. With nodular mastopathy, such seals can reach 7 cm. They do not have clearly defined boundaries. In a large cyst, the seal has a clearly defined contour.
Knowing the causes of mastopathy and the symptoms of the disease, you can timely detect its course, diagnose and treat it.
Diagnostics
It will help to determine the causes of mastopathy diagnostics, which includes methods such as:
- palpation;
- mammography;
- Ultrasound.
Palpation, despite its apparent simplicity, is a very effective way to detect breast diseases. This technique allows you to determine the presence of neoplasms, but cannot independently recognize their type and nature of changes. With the help of palpation, a woman can independently identify the course of violations.
Mammography is an x-ray examination of the breast. This technique allows timely detection of pathological changes in the breast tissues. It is distinguished by high efficiency and safety. Every woman over the age of 35 is recommended to have a mammogram every 2 years, andupon reaching the age of 50 - annually.
Ultrasound is characterized by high information content and complete safety, including for pregnant and lactating women. This research method helps to identify the nature of the changes.
In some cases, a biopsy is required for an accurate diagnosis. Any of these types of examinations should be carried out on the 6-10th day of the menstrual cycle.
Features of treatment
Before choosing a treatment regimen for mastopathy, the causes and symptoms of the disease must be taken into account. Initially, the doctor must make a puncture from the neoplasm, which allows you to correctly diagnose.
When conducting treatment, it is important to prevent the transition of a benign tumor to a malignant one. It is necessary to eliminate the dysfunction of the pituitary and ovaries, as well as to normalize the functioning of the liver and nervous system. In the treatment of mastopathy, the cause of the disease must be eliminated first. This is the most important condition, regardless of the form of the course of the disease.
With nodular mastopathy, an operation is used, that is, the removal of nodes with the simultaneous appointment of specific drugs to increase immunity. However, in recent years, the intervention has begun to be treated much more cautiously, since the operation cannot eliminate the cause of the disease.
In many women who underwent 10-15 operations, after each intervention, the nodes appeared again, located along the seam. Another tactic for the treatment of mastopathy will be conservative observation. For this, enzyme therapy is prescribed, as well as taking antihistamines.drugs, vitamins, immunomodulators, antipsychotics.
To eliminate the causes of breast mastopathy, treatment is carried out with the help of hormonal drugs, in particular, such as:
- phytoestrogens;
- dydrogesterones;
- corticosteroids;
- adaptogens;
- combined oral contraceptives.
If conservative methods do not give the desired result, then the patient may be recommended surgery to remove fibroids and cysts.
Medicated treatment
To eliminate the cause of breast mastopathy, treatment should be comprehensive. The main method is medical. Specialists very successfully use hormonal and non-hormonal drugs. The medication regimen in each individual case is selected individually, depending on the type of disease, the characteristics of the hormonal background and the presence of gynecological problems. Among hormonal drugs, it is necessary to highlight such as:
- antiestrogens;
- gestagens;
- androgens.
Antiestrogen - drugs that reduce the production of estrogen in the body. To achieve a sustainable result, drugs must be taken for a long time. Such drugs as "Tamoxifen" and "Fareston" are distinguished by high performance. The first drug is an agent designed specifically for the treatment of tumors sensitive to estrogen, as well as malignant diseases of the breast. Its use requires close medical supervisionhow a drug can cause complications.
Fareston is highly effective due to its antitumor and antiestrogenic effects. With its use, painful breast engorgement completely disappears, and the symptoms of mastopathy also disappear. However, this drug has certain contraindications that must be taken into account.
Androgens reduce the activity of the ovaries, thereby slowing down the process of ovulation. Their systematic intake helps to eliminate tightness in the chest. The drug "Dinazol" is the most popular.
Oral contraceptives not only prevent ovulation, but also normalize the menstrual cycle, reducing the manifestations of mastopathy. Often appoint "Mersilon", "Marvelon", "Femoden", "Cilest".
Among external preparations, Progestogel ointment is often prescribed.
Among non-hormonal preparations, homeopathic ones are predominantly prescribed. Mastodinon has proven itself well. A specially selected extract of medicinal herbs reduces the level of prolactin, eliminating signs of the disease and preventing tissue growth.
Folk remedies
To prevent the development of mastopathy and eliminate the causes of the disease, you can use folk methods. In therapy, herbal applications, fees, compresses, ointments are widely used. The success of phytotherapy has been proven by many years of experience in its application. Among the herbs, the red brush and the upland uterus are especially popular.
Take 1 tbsp. l. dry red brush, add 1Art. boiling water, boil and boil for 10 minutes. Let stand, filter. Drink 70-80 ml three times a day.
Take 5 tbsp. l. dry grass of the upland uterus, pour a bottle of vodka and leave to infuse for 3 weeks, stirring daily. Drink a month for 15-30 drops. You can also prepare a decoction of this plant. To do this, take 3 tbsp. l. dry boron uterus, pour 300 ml of water. Boil for 5 minutes, let stand, filter. Drink a decoction three times a day for 1 tbsp. l.
Burdock compress helps well. To do this, crush a medium-sized leaf so that juice begins to stand out from it. Place in bra cup and leave overnight. The course of therapy lasts 2 weeks. The same compress can be made from a cabbage leaf.
Mastopathy in children
The causes of mastopathy in children are associated with exposure to placental hormones, which are transmitted from the mother and circulate in the blood of the newborn. It is very difficult to determine the course of the disease, since visually the breast does not change in any way.
It can appear in a child at any time and the signs are almost no different from the symptoms in adults. Mastopathy can go away on its own after stabilization of the hormonal background. However, one cannot hope for this, and self-medication is strictly prohibited, as this is fraught with dangerous consequences.
Possible Complications
It is important not only to know the symptoms and causes of mastopathy, but also what complications can occur if the wrong or untimelytreatment. If the disease is not controlled, then the seal can increase in size, and also turn into cancer. One of the signs of degeneration into a malignant tumor is the appearance of many small calcifications in the mammary gland.
Danger is also the development of inflammation in the area with damaged tissue structure, fluid suppuration in the cyst. In addition, the seal may burst, resulting in extensive inflammation.
Forecast
Drug treatment of mastopathy is mostly temporary, and a few years after therapy, lumps and nodules may reappear. This is especially true for women suffering from erosion, frequent inflammation, dysplasia. General therapy helps to alleviate the course of the disease, eliminate symptoms and delay the transition to the next stage of the disease.
Prophylaxis
To reduce the likelihood of mastopathy, it is imperative to follow the general principles of prevention, namely:
- good nutrition;
- physical activity;
- quitting alcohol and smoking;
- he althy sleep and relaxation;
- comfortable psychological state;
- taking vitamins;
- a smart choice of underwear.
To detect the disease at the initial stage, you need to periodically visit a doctor for an examination.
