Benign neoplasms of the mammary glands over the past 100 years have become one of the most frequently diagnosed pathologies. They are found in 70-80% of women of late reproductive age. According to statistical studies, the most common pathology in women is mastopathy. It is 60-80% in the population, and among patients in gynecological clinics - 30-95%. With this frequency of occurrence, every woman should know, breast mastopathy - what is it and what are the symptoms of the disease?

What is mastopathy?

Mastopathy is a term that refers to a combination of benign changes in the tissues of the mammary gland (MF) that are different in symptoms and morphology. Therefore, in the medical literature you can find about 30 terms used in the description of pathology.

WHO characterized mastopathy or fibrocystic disease as breast disease is not associated with a gestational period in which there is an increase and decrease (destruction) in the tissues and the proportion between the volume of the epithelium and the connective tissue is violated.

Proliferative changes include:

  • hyperplasia (increase, increase, uncontrolled division);
  • proliferation (tissue enlargement due to cell division) of the tissues of the breast.

Destructive processes in the breast are education:

  • cysts;
  • tissue atrophy;
  • fibrotic changes.

Therefore, the pathology is called fibrocystic mastopathy (FCM).

Causes of the disease

The tissues of the reproductive system are hormone-dependent - their condition and functions depend on the level and balance of female sex hormones.MF is part of the reproductive system and occupies a special place among other organs of the reproductive system. The mammary glands begin to develop actively during the period (12-16 years) of the hormonal “surge” - the intensive functioning of the sex glands and adrenal cortex. In the childbearing period, all processes occurring in the breast are hormone-dependent.

MF tissues contain receptors for hormones:

  • genital (estrogen, progesterone);
  • prolactin;
  • pituitary growth hormone;
  • lactogen or somatomammotropin.

For the proper development of breast cancer, the combined effects of insulin, thyroxine, cortisol and prolactin and growth hormone are necessary.

However, most researchers tend to believe that the cause of the pathology is not a violation of hormonal homeostasis, but an increase in the sensitivity of estrogen receptors in the tissues of the breast. Confirmation of this hypothesis is that dysplastic processes are often localized in a separate area of ​​the breast, and do not cover the entire chest. Mastopathy is also found in women with no symptoms of hormonal imbalance - infertility and a monthly cycle disorder. All this suggests that the occurrence of the initial stage of mastopathy is affected precisely by the sensitivity of estradiol and progesterone receptors in the tissues of the breast.

FCM was previously considered a precancerous disease. Today it is referred to benign pathologies, but in the presence of FCM and gynecological diseases, the risk of breast cancer increases by 3-37 times.

Until the end of the 19th century, mastopathy was considered not a separate disease, but a pre-pathological condition in the development of breast oncology, since the causes of breast mastopathy and the factors that cause breast cancer are the same:

1. genetic - in women in whose family there have been cases of breast pathology, the risk of developing FCM is much higher.

2. reproductive - developmental anomalies and pathology of the reproductive system increase the likelihood of FCM:

  • puberty and the appearance of the first menstrual bleeding up to 11-12 years;
  • early onset of menopause;
  • first birth after 30 years;
  • infertility;
  • frequent abortions (spontaneous or artificial);
  • a small (1-2) number of pregnancies and childbirth;
  • breastfeeding period less than 5 months;

3. hormonal and metabolic - an imbalance of hormones and metabolic disorders affect the formation of breast tissue:

  • overactive estrogen and prolactin;
  • hypothyroidism;
  • violation of the monthly cycle;
  • inflammatory diseases of the appendages, ovaries;
  • hormone-producing ovarian cysts;
  • hyperplastic processes in the uterus;
  • obesity;
  • diabetes;
  • liver disease
  • hormone replacement therapy;
  • the use of oral contraceptives for more than 10 years;

4. environmental impact, working conditions:

  • stress;
  • exposure to ionizing radiation;
  • the influence of chemical and biological substances;
  • breast injuries;

5. lifestyle:

  • excess or unbalanced nutrition;
  • lack of fiber and plant fiber;
  • bad habits - drinking alcohol, smoking.

Often, mastopathy occurs against the background of gynecological diseases. As a rule, these are pathologies associated with hyperplastic processes in the mucous membrane of organs.

Symptoms and signs

Symptoms of mastopathy are due to changes in the breast. Manifestations of the disease also vary depending on the phase of the pathological process.

Read also: mastopathy - treatment with folk remedies at home

The main symptom of mastopathy is pain. Pain sensations intensify 1-2 days before the onset of menstruation and decrease or disappear completely after its completion. The pain has a different intensity, the duration of the attack.So, for example, with the progression of pathological changes, pain becomes more pronounced and longer - they persist after the completion of menstruation, and sometimes are noted during the cycle.

Pathology can affect the nervous system of women, causing impaired sleep function, mood swings, and nervous disorders.

One of the characteristic manifestations of mastopathy is premenstrual tension syndrome, accompanied by:

  • breast engorgement;
  • an increase in size due to the formation of edema;
  • sensation of heat and tingling due to increased blood supply;
  • the appearance of seals, especially in the ovulation phase.

These symptoms are the result of progesterone. It stimulates proliferative changes in the structures of the breast. Seals can take the form of strands or a “cobblestone pavement” when rough swollen lobes are palpated during palpation. In 5-6% of women there are discharge from the nipple of a different nature.

Premenstrual syndrome is accompanied by other symptoms:

  • headache similar to migraine;
  • dyspeptic symptoms;
  • swelling.

With diffuse-nodal mastopathy in 35% of cases, an increase in regional (nearby) lymph nodes is detected.

Types of mastopathy

Depending on the approach to assessing pathology, there are several types of classification of mastopathy:

1. The morphological approach divides the pathology into forms:

  • proliferative;
  • non-proliferative;

2. from the point of view of radiology, the classification distinguishes the following types of pathology:

  • diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy (DFKM) with changes in glandular tissues - adenosis;
  • DFKM with localization of the pathological process mainly in connective tissue;
  • DFKM with cystic component;
  • mixed form DFKM;
  • breast adenosis;
  • nodal FCM.

With the non-proliferative form of FCM, the risk of developing oncology is low. With the proliferative form without atypical changes in tissue cells, the risk increases by 1.5-2 times, and with atypical changes by 4-5 times.

Diagnostic measures

To identify and establish the correct diagnosis, physical and hardware research methods are used.

Physical methods include:

  • examination and palpation (palpation);
  • gland volume measurement;
  • sizing of seals.

Despite the fact that MFs are available for physical research, their accuracy must be confirmed by instrumental studies:

  • Ultrasound, MRI, CT;
  • complex radiographic;
  • RTM radiometry.

If nodes, cysts or other neoplasms are found, cytological and histological examination is used.

When examining patients older than 40 years of age or at risk, a mammogram is performed. An X-ray examination of the breast is recommended to be carried out 1 time in 1.5-2 years in the first half of menstruation. This safe method allows to detect breast pathology in 85-97% of cases.

With the occurrence of pathological processes in the breast, a change in temperature is noted. Temperature fluctuations can be recorded measured using the RTM method. The computerized system displays an MF image indicating the corresponding temperature at a depth of 5 cm.

Disease prevention

The main method for the prevention of breast pathology is the elimination of factors causing their development.

Of great importance in the prevention of FCM is a balanced diet, so complex treatment and prevention are accompanied by diet therapy. A close relationship has been established between the development of PCM and the use of alkaloids, in particular caffeine and theobromine. Limiting or completely rejecting chocolate, coffee, strong tea and Coca-Cola eases the patient's condition and eliminates the symptoms of engorgement, bursting, pain.

There is also an objective connection with the risk of mastopathy and the state of the digestive system:

  • frequent or chronic constipation;
  • "Sluggish" intestinal motility;
  • a violation of the composition of the natural microbiocenosis - dysbiosis.

All these factors can be eliminated by introducing foods rich in fiber and plant fiber into the diet. Subject to the drinking diet (1.5-2 liters per day) and sufficient fiber intake, absorption and excretion of estrogen excreted into the intestinal lumen occurs and is eliminated.

Also, the state of the liver affects the level of estrogens, since their disposal occurs in this organ. The elimination of factors that interfere with the normal functioning of the liver - alcohol, toxins, fatty foods, preservatives, and timely treatment of diseases is an effective prevention of the development of mastopathy.

For the therapeutic and prophylactic effect, vitamin therapy should be used:

  • Vitamin A has an antiestrogenic effect, reduces the severity of the proliferation process;
  • Vitamin E - enhances the action of progesterone;
  • Vitamin B 6 - reduces the effects of prolactin, normalizes the neuro-emotional state;
  • Vitamins P and C stimulate microcirculation and eliminate puffiness.

Correctly selected low-dose oral contraception also prevents the development of mastopathy. Microdosed oral contraceptives have an inhibitory effect on the ovulation process and the synthesis of the corresponding hormones.

Natural phytoestrogens contained in soy, berries, sprouted wheat, and seeds have the same effect. Their introduction into the diet will prevent the occurrence of mastopathy.

A low percentage of FCM is observed in those countries where screening mammography is performed, allowing timely detection of changes in the tissues of the breast.

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