Diffuse mastopathy
Diffuse mastopathy is a disease of the mammary glands, which manifests itself in a change in the normal structure of breast tissue. During the course of the disease, there is an overgrowth of connective tissue elements, the formation of cysts and benign seals. Cysts can be either single or multiple, dense or filled with fluid. During the menstrual cycle, cysts can change their size. As a rule, with diffuse mastopathy, the entire mammary gland is affected. Diffuse mastopathy occurs in about 30-40% of women.
The content of the article:
Classification of diffuse mastopathy
Causes of diffuse mastopathy
Symptoms of diffuse mastopathy
Diagnosis of diffuse mastopathy
Treatment of diffuse mastopathy
Prevention and recommendations for diffuse mastopathy
Diffuse mastopathy
Classification of diffuse mastopathy
Depending on what changes occur in the tissues of the mammary glands, there are the following forms of diffuse mastopathy:
Diffuse mastopathy with predominance of glandular components or adenosis;
Diffuse mastopathy with a predominance of fibrous components in the mammary gland or fibroadenomatosis. This form of mastopathy usually develops in women aged 25-40 years. It is located in the upper outer quadrants of the mammary glands, appears a few days before menstruation. In this case, there are changes in the connective tissue of the glands, narrowing of the ducts of the breast up to their closure.
Diffuse mastopathy, in which cystic components predominate. This form of the disease most often occurs in women after 54 years. At this age, serious hormonal disruptions are observed. At the same time, the channels of the mammary glands become clogged, the fluid has nowhere to go, and it begins to accumulate in the lobes, causing the development of seals in the gland.
A mixed form of diffuse mastopathy, in which there are two types of components in the gland (fibrocystic).
Sclerosing form of adenosis.
To determine the form of diffuse mastopathy, doctors pay attention to the ratio of glandular, connective tissue and fat components that the mammogram shows.
Depending on how significant changes have occurred in the tissues of the mammary glands, diffuse mastopathy is slightly pronounced, moderate and pronounced.
Causes of diffuse mastopathy
Diffuse mastopathy can be caused by a variety of reasons related to a woman’s lifestyle, hereditary factors, and environmental influences.
The main cause of diffuse mastopathy is considered to be reproductive dysfunction. The development of diffuse mastopathy is most often observed in women who have not given birth or in those who gave birth to their first child at a late age. The cause of diffuse mastopathy can be infertility, abortion, a short period of breastfeeding, late menopause.
Another reason for diffuse mastopathy is a violation of sexual life in combination with various psychological factors. Often diffuse mastopathy develops in divorced women, in those who have not been married and have an irregular sex life.
The risk of developing diffuse mastopathy is increased by factors such as depression, being in stressful situations, conflicts at work and at home, and the predominance of negative emotions. Hormonal and metabolic disorders, for example, a disturbed balance of sex hormones and thyroid hormones, contribute to the development of diffuse mastopathy.
Diffuse mastopathy can provoke various gynecological diseases (inflammation of the appendages, endometriosis, uterine fibromyoma). Genetic factors also play an important role. In those women whose mothers had diffuse mastopathy, the development of such a disorder occurs much more often.
The environment in which a woman resides and lifestyle also affect the appearance of diffuse mastopathy. Factors such as chronic lack of sleep, insufficient fruit intake and excessive fat intake have their influence.
Symptoms of diffuse mastopathy
All manifestations of diffuse mastopathy depend on the phases of the menstrual cycle. The main symptom is painful sensations in the mammary glands. They occur most often in the second half of the cycle. Their character can be different — stabbing, aching, bursting, while giving in the neck, back, shoulder or hypochondrium. The occurrence of pain in diffuse mastopathy is explained by the fact that cystic formations or edematous connective tissue compress the nerve endings. Although the symptom is considered the main one, 10-15% of women may not have it. After all, in each specific case, the signs of diffuse mastopathy are different. For example, many women with diffuse mastopathy have swelling of the glands, as well as uniform compaction of breast tissue. During palpation, small granular structures are felt. If you press on the nipple, then discharge from it appears — transparent or colostrum-like. The most dangerous thing with diffuse mastopathy is spotting, as they indicate a neglected state of the disease.
With the onset of menstruation, the pain gradually subsides, and the seals in the chest become less painful and may even disappear for a while. In the later stages of diffuse mastopathy, the thickening and soreness in the mammary glands persists constantly, regardless of the phase of the cycle. Even a light touch to the gland causes pain. In this regard, women may develop carcinophobia, nervousness may appear, sleep may be disturbed. Often diffuse mastopathy can be accompanied by delayed menstruation, pronounced premenstrual syndrome. Some patients with diffuse mastopathy note fragility of hair, nails and dry skin.
Diagnosis of diffuse mastopathy
The easiest way to detect any changes in the breast is to examine the mammary glands, which must be carried out independently. This should be done starting from the age of 14 at least once a month after the end of menstruation. The examination consists of examining the mammary glands in a mirror and then feeling the glands in a standing and lying position. If, during the examination, violations of the symmetry of the glands, an increase in the venous pattern on the gland, changes in the color of the skin near the nipple are detected, then it is necessary to consult a doctor, since only he can distinguish diffuse mastopathy from other pathological changes in the glands.
To do this, an examination of the mammary glands, mammological examination, ultrasound, laboratory tests are carried out. Palpatory examination of the mammary glands reveals painful seals, different in size and extent, without clear boundaries. Most often, such seals with diffuse mastopathy are located in the upper-outer quadrants of the mammary glands.
The main methods that allow an objective assessment of the condition of the mammary glands are ultrasound and mammography. Ultrasound is considered a safe method and allows for the study of glands in dynamics. Ultrasound with diffuse mastopathy allows examining women of any age, including nursing and pregnant women. The only drawback of this method is that its implementation does not allow to diagnose a seal whose size is less than one centimeter. More effective in diffuse mastopathy is mammography, which allows you to detect changes in 95% of cases. Ultrasound and mammography are performed with diffuse mastopathy on the 6th- 12th day of the menstrual cycle.
If there is discharge from the nipples during diffuse mastopathy, this may require ductography. It will make it possible to determine the size of the seals. Laboratory studies of the nipple smear make it possible to exclude diseases such as antinomycosis, tuberculosis, syphilis of the mammary glands.
If the diagnostic data for diffuse mastopathy cause any doubts, then the doctor may resort to MRI, as well as a breast biopsy. The biopsy is performed under the control of ultrasound, and the resulting material is subjected to cytological examination.
Treatment of diffuse mastopathy
In most cases, diffuse mastopathy does not cause any concern in women, especially before the age of 30. But it will progress over time. Therefore, the earlier the treatment of diffuse mastopathy is started, the better its results will be. Those diagnosed with diffuse mastopathy are treated individually. It depends on the form of diffuse mastopathy, the stage of development, the presence of other diseases.
The treatment is aimed at reducing the amount of fibrous tissue and cysts in the mammary gland, normalize the amount of hormones in the blood, eliminate inflammatory processes in the organs of the reproductive system, eliminate the pain symptom. Treatment can last several years. Alcohol consumption and smoking are prohibited during this period.
Therapy for diffuse mastopathy can be hormonal and non-hormonal. Hormone therapy is used only in particularly difficult cases. The hormonal agents that are prescribed for treatment are very different. In addition, vitamins, iodine-based drugs, immunomodulators, anti-inflammatory and sedatives are used to treat diffuse mastopathy.
Diet is important in the treatment of diffuse mastopathy. It is necessary to exclude such products as tea, coffee, cola, cocoa, chocolate from the diet of patients. All of them contribute to the growth of formations and the appearance of new seals. In addition, it is necessary to eat a sufficient amount of fruits, vegetables, fiber, bran. A woman diagnosed with diffuse mastopathy should also reduce the consumption of vegetable fats.
Very often, folk remedies are used in the treatment of diffuse mastopathy. But they need to be used only in a complex, since by themselves they can only relieve symptoms, but not eliminate nodules and seals. As such folk remedies, decoctions are used, which include chamomile flowers, burdock and valerian roots, turn leaves, yarrow, motherwort.
Locally, you can use compresses and lotions made of honey, castor oil, cabbage leaves, rye cakes. For effective treatment of diffuse mastopathy, folk remedies need to be used for a long time and regularly.
Prevention and recommendations for diffuse mastopathy
The key to successful prevention of diffuse mastopathy and its early detection is systematic examinations by a mammologist. In addition, it is necessary to treat gynecological diseases in a timely manner.
It is very important for every woman to regularly conduct self-examination of the mammary glands. At the same time, it is necessary to focus on the change in the shape of the breast, the occurrence of seals, secretions, soreness in the chest area.
A woman should choose a bra so that it does not squeeze her breasts. It is equally important for the prevention of diffuse mastopathy to protect the mammary glands from injuries and blows.
In order to prevent diffuse mastopathy, it is necessary to prevent abortions and use modern contraceptives. Those women who have mastopathy are contraindicated breast augmentation operations, visits to saunas, baths, tanning salons, sunburn.
