Nodular mastopathy
Nodular mastopathy is a benign neoplasm (nodes and cysts) with changes in the structure of the mammary glands, which may be due to an imbalance on a hormonal background. Another name is fibrocystic disease. This disease is a precancerous process, one of the precursors of cancer in women. It is accompanied by painful sensations, mastalgia, changes and swelling of the breast before the approach of menstruation, in some areas it is possible to feel increased seals (multiple or single) — these are cysts that are filled with a light or transparent liquid. Now this disease is very common among women and even adolescents (it occurs in every third of the female individual). Most often, mastopathy is formed with obvious diseases of gynecology. These are pathologies that have arisen with a violation of the structure of the histology of the mammary glands. Nodular mastopathy, detected in the early stages, is treated much easier and does not give additional complications. The disease is characterized by the formation of cystic formations and nodes in the gland, thereby provoking tissue changes. This form of the disease most often develops with pre-existing breast diseases: fibrotic mastopathy, granularity, coarse lobe. Seals can be easily palpated, they are often hard. During menstruation, the hardening and swelling of the mammary glands can both increase and decrease. Such a disease can occur through an increased content of estrogen hormones in the body. Scientists and doctors have already noticed that women who gave birth, often breastfed, have a much lower risk of developing nodular mastopathy.
The content of the article:
Classification of forms of nodular mastopathy
Causes of nodular mastopathy
Symptoms of nodular mastopathy
Diagnosis of nodular mastopathy
Treatment of nodular mastopathy
Prevention of nodular mastopathy
Nodular mastopathy
Classification of forms of nodular mastopathy
The forms of nodular mastopathy can be classified as follows: intrauterine papillomas, lipomas, fibroadenomas, angiomas, solitary cysts and others. These forms of the disease are based on the prevalence of the identified component. During the process of change in connective tissues, such varieties of the disease prevail. Nodular mastopathy of the breast can have glandular, fibrocystic and fibrous variation. Mastopathy is expressed in the form of cystic cavities, papillae have growths with epithelial multilayer proliferation, the number of mitoses and increase in nuclei may be different.
The nodular form of mastopathy can be differentiated depending on the degree of severity and activity of changes — proliferating and simple. The first type is already a precancerous malignified condition.
Causes of nodular mastopathy
Nodular mastopathy is most common among women aged 35 to 45 years. This disease is common, because there are physiological predispositions to it at this age. The menstrual cycle is divided into two periods, during which a certain hormone prevails, under the influence of which various changes occur in the mammary glands. If the regulation of progesterone and estrogen secretion is disrupted, then at this time there is a peak in the reproduction of seals in the glands. The first phase is characterized by stimulation of proliferative changes by estrogen. The second phase is marked by a large amount of progesterone, which inhibits the previous processes. Diffuse and then nodular mastopathy develops after uncontrolled hormonal levels, which makes it possible to reduce the number of progesterone and thereby increase the secretion of estrogen.
In rare cases, the cause of nodular mastopathy may be excessive production of the hormone prolactin (pituitary gland). This usually happens during pregnancy or lactation, when the production of pituitary secretions increases — this contributes to the formation of milk.
Hormonal imbalance can be provoked by constant stressful or neurotic conditions, metabolic disorders of the body (such diseases as excessive obesity, diabetes mellitus, etc.), gynecological diseases, as well as abortions, sexual dissatisfaction, endocrine diseases, any injury to the mammary glands, liver disease and other glandular organs — all this leads to the development of nodular mastopathy.
Predisposition to the disease may be hereditary, may be accompanied by late menopause or early onset of menstruation. The reason is also often bad habits (smoking, alcohol abuse, drugs — lack of a healthy lifestyle), late pregnancy (over 30), negligent (irrational) use of hormonal drugs, hepatitis.
The appearance of seals has a limited structure — they are placed separately from all surrounding tissues and skin.
Symptoms of nodular mastopathy
Basically, the symptoms of nodular mastopathy manifest themselves in the premenstrual period. It is then that the breast becomes dense, enlarged and roughened, painful and uncomfortable sensations arise, tension and there is a reason for all this — swelling of the tissues. The pain can be given both in the shoulder blade and in the shoulder. Such changes occur due to fluid retention in the breast tissue when exposed to the hormone progesterone (its concentration increases in the first half of the menstrual cycle). Often doctors consider such changes normal. After menstruation, the pain often slowly subsides. There are cases when mastopathy is detected not clinically, but in the process of palpation of the breast. In a lying position, it is impossible to feel the presence of nodes. If the disease progresses, then mastalgia (chest pain) becomes permanent and no longer depends on the characteristics of the woman’s cycle. Inspection of the nipples occurs after a visual examination of the breast for skin changes and any deformities. You should understand that the earlier mastopathy is detected, the better the prevention and treatment will be, that is, the more chances to stop the spread of the disease. It is from the nipples (with nodular mastopathy) that droplets of fluid can be released in a small way. These secretions can be bloody, transparent or brownish-yellow. In principle, mastopathy is not a terrible disease, but there may be a risk of a tumor process and complications.
Every woman should annually undergo preventive examinations with a mammologist (if an ailment is detected, consult a gynecologist and a surgeon). If mastopathy has progressed, that is, chest pain is only getting worse, more intense discharge from the nipples of a purulent and bloody nature begins, and the seals are getting harder — you should immediately contact a specialist for diagnosis and determination of treatment methods.
Diagnosis of nodular mastopathy
Nodular mastopathy by its nature has quite similar manifestations with malignant formations (tumors). Therefore, thorough additional research should be conducted.
At the reception, the doctor will definitely ask about the presence of any symptoms of the disease that you are concerned about. After that, in fact, the specialist should conduct an examination of the mammary glands. The seals will have a smooth or granular surface (if it is a cyst) and lobed. To determine the internal accumulation of fluid, that is, a cyst, you can create a little pressure on the right place, a swell may appear. There may be different degrees of discharge from the nipples, which occurs during intra-current localization. Then an X-ray diagnosis (mammography) is prescribed. Any form of mastopathy is reflected in the picture, it will be in the form of numerous humps and depressions — this is the process of breast reconstruction, which is accompanied by a large number of darkened and light areas of various formations, as well as cysts, connective cords, fibroadenomas.
In the presence of nodular formations in the chest, a puncture is usually performed with a cytological examination of internal accumulation, then pneumocytography is performed. This is how the fluid level and the rate of emptying of the formation, as well as various neoplasms, are monitored.
Ductography will help to track intra-current changes.
Confirmation of nodular mastopathy can be an ultrasound examination with Dopplerography, which determines: vascularization and size, localization, as well as the structure of internal formations of the gland.
A biopsy is used to exclude malignant processes, and then the analysis of the material taken is carried out. Doctors can prescribe a number of tests for the level of thyroid hormones, progesterone, estrogen, etc.
Treatment of nodular mastopathy
After performing a number of necessary procedures, it is worth prescribing treatment to the patient. In the early stages, doctors usually use a medical form of treatment for nodular mastopathy. In fact, there is a restorative process of hormonal background, so you need to strictly adhere to the recommendations of a specialist and lead a healthy lifestyle. In the absence of positive results of treatment, surgical intervention is performed to remove the nodes (cutting out the damaged part) or, with great neglect, removal of the entire breast. After that, mammoplasty will help to restore the former breast appearance.
Prevention of nodular mastopathy
Prevention of nodular mastopathy is reduced to such simple rules:
wearing a properly selected bra (it should be air-permeable, be in size, the load should be distributed evenly over the muscles and ligaments);
the abolition of hormonal drugs, contraceptives, which can only worsen the problem;
high—quality rational nutrition (fats and salt in limited quantities) – eat more fruits and vegetables;
engage in self-examination of the breast (more than 2-3 times a month), which will give a preventive effect.
