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Fibrocystic Breasts - Fibrocystic Breasts symptom, treatment, causes

Fibrocystic Breasts is a condition in which many small cysts develop within the breasts, due to overgrowth of areas of gland tissue that become surrounded by increased fibrous tissue. These changes are believed to be the result of an over-reaction of breast tissue to the effects of oestrogen or progesterone. Fibrocystic breasts feel generally lumpy, which usually worries their owner. There mayor may not be aching and tenderness of the breasts (MASTALGIA).

If there are no symptoms, no treatment is needed, though mammography and/or ultrasound are always advised to rule out any suspicion of BREAST CANCER. Mild discomfort is often relieved by vitamin B6 (25 mg four times a day) or evening primrose oil (3 g a day). More severe mastalgia usually responds to prescribed hormonal treatment.

Fibrocystic breast is the most common benign (noncancerous) breast condition in women of childbearing age. The most common signs of fibrocystic breasts include lumpiness, tenderness, cysts (packets of fluid), areas of thickening, fibrosis (scar-like connective tissue), and breast pain. Some argue that fibrocystic breast disease is not a disease, but a common and harmless condition experienced by women as they encounter hormonal changes during their menstrual cycles. Most women with fibrocystic breasts will not show atypia when a breast biopsy is performed. Having fibrocystic breasts, in and of itself, is not a risk factor for breast cancer. However, fibrocystic breast condition can sometimes make it more difficult to detect a hidden breast cancer with standard examination and imaging techniques. About one of every five women, ages 25-50, develops fibrocystic breasts at some point. If you have fibrocystic breasts, it is important to learn how to do a breast self-exam. Checking your breasts each month will help you know if an abnormal change occurs. The diagnosis of fibrocystic breasts is complicated by the fact that the condition can vary widely in its severity. In some women, the symptoms of fibrocystic breast disease can be very mild with minimal breast tenderness or pain. The symptoms can also be limited in time, usually occurring only premenstrually.

Fibrocystic breast changes are normal and harmless. They are not cancer, and they do not increase your chance of getting breast cancer. Because the condition is related to the menstrual cycle, the symptoms will usually cease after menopause unless a woman is taking hormone replacement therapy. In some cases, fibrocystic breast symptoms may continue past menopause. Fibrocystic breasts occur from changes in the glandular and stromal (connective) tissues of the breast. These changes are related to a woman's menstrual cycle and the hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Women with fibrocystic breasts often have bilateral cyclic breast pain or tenderness that coincides with their menstrual cycles. The symptoms can also be limited in time, usually occurring only premenstrually. Many hormones aside from estrogen and progesterone also play an important role in fibrocystic breast disease. Prolactin, growth factor, insulin, and thyroid hormone are some of the other major hormones that are produced outside of the breast tissue, yet act in important ways on the breast. Nearly 85 percent of all women with breast pain respond to nonmedical treatment. Others may need medication. The treatment of a fibrocystic condition may require surgical removal (biopsy) of lumps that fail to disappear after brief observation and attempts at removal of fluid by a physician.

Causes of Fibrocystic breasts

The common causes and risk factor's of Fibrocystic breasts include the following:

• Changes in the glandular and stromal (connective) tissues of the breast.
• Family history of this conditionn
• A diet high in fat, salt, or caffeine.

Symptoms of Fibrocystic breasts

Some sign and symptoms related to Fibrocystic breasts are as follows:

• Breast lumps.
• Nipple sensations change, including itching.
• Premenstrual tenderness and swelling.
• Breast discomfort improves after each menstrual period.
• Lumps move freely in the breast tissue.
• Breast(s) feel full.
• Formation of persistent cysts or lumps.
• Nipple discharge or inflammation.

Treatment of Fibrocystic breasts

Here is list of the methods for treating Fibrocystic breasts:

• Certain vitamins (particularly vitamin E, vitamin B6, or niacin) or herbal supplements such as evening primrose oil may help alleviate the symptoms of fibrocystic breasts by reducing inflammation and fluid retention.
• Wear a bra that gives your breasts good support.
• Bromocriptine and danazol both relieve cyclical breast pain by blocking estrogen and progesterone. However, these drugs may cause serious side effects in some women.
• Other drugs, such as tamoxifen or goserelin have been shown to have some effect on cyclical breast pain; however, these drugs are currently only approved for use in the united kingdom for treating severe fibrocystic breast pain.
• Aspirin or acetaminophen provides pain relief.
• Oral contraceptives may be prescribed because they often decrease the symptoms. A synthetic androgen may be prescribed by a doctor in severe cases, when the potential benefit is thought to outweigh the potential adverse effects.