Any disease that affects the female body, most often develops due to hormonal failure, the presence of an inflammatory disease or stress. Despite the fact that breast disease often manifests itself after the initial stage has passed, the likelihood of successful treatment is quite high. One of the most common diagnoses is diffuse FCM of the breast (fibrocystic mastopathy). It is important to take timely measures to establish the form and stage of the disease and start adequate therapy. It is highly undesirable to try to diagnose and treat the disease yourself.
Definition of mastopathy
The term diffuse FCM (fibrocystic mastopathy) is commonly understood as a disease that occurs in women. This is the formation of seals, nodes, cysts in the mammary gland, which are filled with fluid inside. This type of mastopathy can have a mixedform, or be only fibrous, mixed, glandular or cystic. As a rule, the defeat of the tissues of the gland occurs on one or both sides. In medical practice, diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands is more common in women of reproductive age (up to 40 years). This is associated with the activity of the work of this body, for example, pregnancy or breastfeeding.
When a woman crosses the menopause, the nodular form of mastopathy is more often noted. It differs in that the node is quite large in size, has single inclusions.
Clinical picture
It is noted that the main cause of diffuse FCM is disturbances in the work of hormones. It cannot be said that any one of them is guilty. Here we are talking about a whole complex: TSH, androgens, estrogens, hCG (chorionic gonadotropin), progesterone, prolactins, gonadotropins. If a failure occurs in the female body, then it leads to the development of dysplastic processes.
Increase in estrogen levels and decrease in progesterone becomes an impetus for proliferative processes in the stroma and epithelium. In a he althy female body, progesterone controls this area and prevents the development of mastopathy.
In practice, it is customary to distinguish three degrees of severity of diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy of the breast: minor, moderate, pronounced. At the beginning, the disease proceeds almost imperceptibly. On palpation, cysts from a few millimeters to several centimeters can be noted. They look like bunches of grapes, which, as they grow, actively begin to produce collagen, the connective tissue thickens, grows and scars.
If cavities filled with a glandular component form in the mammary gland, then we are talking about diffuse FCM with a predominance of the glandular component. This pathology is called adenosis. In practice, a mixed form may occur, in which both connective and glandular tissue grow.
Causes of occurrence
If we talk about what causes the development of diffuse FCM of the breast, then it should be highlighted:
- The period when a woman is in a state of pregnancy. The placenta produces hormones that cause breast hyperplasia.
- Inflammatory processes of the uterus and appendages, ovaries (including dysfunction).
- Diseases of the thyroid gland, which is responsible for the production of luteinizing hormone.
- Diseases associated with the liver.
- Hereditary predisposition.
- Problem with carrying a pregnancy (miscarriage, miscarriage, premature birth), abortion, infertility.
- The onset of the first menstrual bleeding in girls before the age of 12.
- Short, too long, or no breastfeeding.
- Long period of use of oral contraceptives.
- Infrequent or no sex life can lead to stagnation of blood in the pelvic organs.
There is also a negative impact of overweight, obesity,constant stress, wearing tight underwear (bra). In the risk zone, women who are on radiological treatment, undergo radiation or chemotherapy, have had injuries in the chest area. Frequent visits to the solarium, baths, saunas also adversely affect the he alth of the breast.
How it manifests itself, the main symptoms
If a woman regularly undergoes a medical examination, then there is a chance of detecting diffuse FCM of the breast at an early stage of its occurrence. Since outwardly a woman may not detect the presence of seals in the chest, at the beginning the disease does not cause discomfort. However, you should be on the lookout for the following symptoms:
- Increased nipple sensitivity.
- Painfulness on palpation of the breast, feeling of induration.
- Nipple discharge white or brown.
- Painful sensations that radiate from the chest to the armpit.
- In the period before the onset of menstrual bleeding, a woman notes swelling or engorgement of the breast.
Extremely disturbing symptom - any discharge from the chest. When they appear, you should not wait in line for an appointment with a gynecologist, you should immediately undergo a breast examination by a mammologist. It happens that swelling in the area of the mammary gland is accompanied by fever, dizziness, nausea, fainting or headache. At the time of contacting a doctor, you should definitely mention this, as this may indicate a complication of the course.mastopathy.
Diagnosis of disease
At home, a visual examination is available to a woman in order to identify signs of diffuse FCM of the mammary glands. If in European countries this procedure is familiar and quite natural, then in Russia few people practice examining the chest for signs of the appearance of seals. This leads to the fact that a woman will know about the presence of an ailment already when he has passed into the second or third stage.
Diagnosis of echo signs of diffuse FCM in a medical institution takes place in several stages by different specialists: mammologist, gynecologist and endocrinologist. You can get a visual image of the current state of the breast on ultrasound and during mammography. They allow you to detect the presence and location of cysts, their number and structure, the state of the milk ducts, damage to the nipple. The age of the patient is of great importance, therefore, during the study, the specialist compares this parameter with the state of the mammary gland at the time of treatment. For example, the thickness of the glandular layer depends on how old the woman is: the older, the thinner it is, and the tissue density is greater. The parameters reach their maximum value when the patient is over 55 years old.
Recently, magnetic resonance imaging has become popular. However, it is necessary to make a reservation that in this study it is impossible to detect small formations, the size of which is a few millimeters.
If diffuse FCM is diagnosed, and itssizes require biomaterial analysis, then a biopsy is prescribed. This allows you to determine the propensity to develop cancer or its stage.
In addition to studies that are directly related to the study of the current state of the breast, tests are also prescribed for infections, determining the level of thyroid hormones (TSH and LH), tumor markers.
How to do a home inspection
It is not necessary to go to the doctor every time to have a breast diagnosis. Any woman in the comfort of her own home can examine her breasts for changes in them. In order for the self-diagnosis procedure to be effective, it is important to follow a number of rules:
- Inspection must be carried out standing at the mirror, with hands down, bare the torso. The symmetry of the mammary glands, the correctness of the shape, contours are evaluated.
- When bending to the side, you can notice elevations or depressions on the surface of the chest, discharge at the time of movement.
- The surface of the skin should be clean, without microscopic ulcers, rashes, skin tone is even.
- Being in a standing position and then lying down, it is necessary to palpate each mammary gland. Visually dividing it into four parts, carefully check for the presence of seals and unnatural formations in each area of the breast.
To obtain reliable results, the examination is recommended to be carried out on the same day of the menstrual cycle. It is advisable to choose the second or third day after the end of the menstrualbleeding. This is important, because in different phases of the month, the body undergoes changes. The state of the breast is also changing.
Treatment methods
If diffuse fibrocystic breast disease (FCM) is diagnosed, mild or moderate, then the doctor may prescribe the following treatment regimen:
- External treatment with creams.
- Use of non-hormonal drugs.
- Vitamin complexes and herbal medicine.
In order to reduce the level of prolactin in the blood, the drug "Mastodinon" can be prescribed, it prevents the growth of diffuse FCM. Fitolon is often prescribed as an immunostimulating drug. With a tendency to develop an oncological tumor, it is possible to regulate the level of metabolic enzymes with the help of Mastofit. "Klamin" allows you to normalize the functioning of the thyroid gland.
Anti-inflammatory effect can be achieved by applying Mastocrel gel. It also has a calming and analgesic effect. As a hormonal therapy, Progestogel gel has proven itself well, which suppresses the activity of the epithelium, reduces the tendency to form edema in the connective tissues.
Normalization of the hormonal background is impossible without taking a vitamin complex, which includes iodine, vitamins A, C and E. The appointment of drugs that contain hormones is possible only after consulting a doctor. As a rule, this group includes oral contraceptives containing a gestagen or progestogens. Often, suchdrugs with progesterone, like "Utrozhestan" or "Dufaston". The duration of treatment can be up to six months, but it is very effective.
What could be the complications
If the disease is left unattended and untreated, then the likelihood that diffuse FCM with a predominance of the glandular or cystic component will resolve on its own is very small. Therefore, you should be aware of the risk of developing such complications:
- Rebirth of her into a malignant formation.
- Development of the inflammatory process and infection of nearby tissues.
- Rupture of the cyst.
- Enlargement of cysts to a size that will be outwardly visible and cause discomfort.
In some cases, if the woman's physical condition allows and she has the desire and opportunity to become pregnant, the recommendation to prevent the development of complications may be associated with a proposal to give birth to a child. Thus, some women start the mechanism of renewal and stimulation of natural processes in their body, and mastopathy recedes and does not occur anymore.
Prevention measures
Regular examination at home and with a specialist in the state of the mammary glands, breastfeeding can be a good prevention to prevent the development and detect signs of diffuse FCM. It is worth monitoring the psycho-emotional state, avoiding injuries in the area of the mammary glands, avoiding abortions and leading a he althy lifestyle. These simple rules can savewoman from the risk of developing mastopathy. However, do not forget that the disease is easier to prevent than to cure.
Women who watch their weight should remember that sudden weight loss is also detrimental to the hormonal state. The same applies to rapid weight gain. If you monitor the weight, then you should not allow sudden jumps in any direction.
Consequences of past illness
If a woman has already been diagnosed with diffuse FCM with a predominance of a fibrous component or its mixed form, then the likelihood of cancer increases several times. Moreover, since the development of the disease is often associated with problems in the functioning of the hormonal system, the risk of oncology of the ovaries and cervix should not be ruled out. Therefore, a timely examination can help to avoid the development of concomitant diseases and damage to neighboring organs.
In the case when a woman has an established diagnosis in the form of mastopathy, which has no prerequisites for growth, it is important to conduct a regular examination of the breast. This is extremely necessary in cases where there is a sharp change in hormonal levels or when a stressful situation arises. Particular attention is required in the presence of chronic diseases of the female reproductive system and long-term use of hormonal contraceptives.
