Non-lactating breast inflammatory diseases are confusingly named, such as ductal dilatation, granulomatous mastitis, and plasmacytoid mastitis, but plasmacytoid mastitis is preferred. It is a chronic inflammatory disease of the breast based on ductal dilatation and plasma cell infiltration, and belongs to the category of “acne canker sores” in Chinese medicine. Patients with this disease often have a history of nipple indentation and the disease occurs mostly during non-lactation periods. The disease has a long course and can be recurrent. In the early stages, there may be pulpy fluid drainage from one or both nipples, sometimes forming small, ill-defined nodules under the nipple or areola. When the disease progresses, local symptoms such as redness, swelling and pain may appear, and a lump may appear around the areola or in the breast parenchyma. Sometimes the lump gradually softens and forms an abscess, which can penetrate and form a long-lasting fistula. The incidence of this disease has increased significantly in recent years and is a difficult disease of the breast area, second only to breast cancer in terms of damage to women. Many primary hospitals or non-breast doctors are not familiar with this disease, and it is easy to misdiagnose it as a common inflammatory disease or tumor, thus delaying the condition. Wang Wei, Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
For the treatment of plasmacytoid mastitis, general hospitals use either direct surgery, or apply high doses of antibiotics or hormones or even anti-tuberculosis drugs, but this often does not solve the problem at the root. Many women are in their middle age and end up losing their breasts because of multiple surgeries after recurrent attacks; many patients have recurrent disease forming chronic fistulas that do not heal for years, causing great physical and mental pain to the patient.
We have achieved satisfactory results in the treatment of plasmacytoid mastitis using a combination of Chinese and Western medicine. The Chinese medicine is applied to clear heat and dampness, benefit Qi and nourish blood, and other treatment principles to support the righteousness and drive away the evil, together with the Chinese ointment Ruyi Jinhuang Paste applied externally, and physical therapy to shrink the lump to the point of disappearance, heal the fistula, confine the inflammation within 7-15 days, expose the fistula under color ultrasound, then perform fistula removal and nipple orthopedic surgery, and after discharge from the hospital, follow up with Chinese medicine for 2-3 months to prevent recurrence and completely cure the disease. The treatment method we use is simple, with a small scope of damage, less pain, less scarring, and complete treatment, and it keeps the breast shape intact and maintains its normal physiological function.