Mammary gland hyperplasia is one of the common diseases among women, mostly seen in women aged 30 to 50 years old, which is essentially a disorder of the normal structure of the breast caused by physiological hyperplasia and incomplete restoration. The etiology and pathogenesis of this disease are not well understood, but most believe that it is related to endocrine disorders, and that the decrease in progesterone secretion and the relative increase in estrogen levels are important causes of this disease.
Currently, the disease is classified as breast pain, breast adenopathy and fibrocystic breast disease from the perspective of clinical habits and treatment. Breast pain is not a true breast hyperplasia and does not increase the risk of breast cancer. Fibrocystic changes detected by clinical palpation do not increase the risk of breast cancer, while breast adenopathy, especially fibrocystic adenopathy, is associated with hyperplastic lesions and benign epithelial hyperplasia in the breast ducts and therefore increases the risk of breast cancer, which should be taken seriously.
Symptoms of breast enlargement
Breast swelling and pain: It is common to have unilateral or bilateral breast swelling and pain or tenderness, and the duration of the disease varies from one month to several years.
Breast gland thickening (often referred to as lumps by patients): unilateral or bilateral, often cyclical with menstruation, with gland thickening apparent in the premenstrual period and reduced after menstruation.
Signs of mammary gland hyperplasia
Examination may reveal a lump, nodule or limited glandular thickening of varying sizes, poorly demarcated from surrounding tissues, often with pressure pain, good mobility, no adhesions to skin and deep tissues, and no enlarged axillary lymph nodes.
Diagnosis and treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia
Currently accepted breast examinations include palpation by clinicians, color ultrasound, mammograms and, if necessary, breast MRI and even excisional node biopsy. The disease can be diagnosed based on clinical manifestations and signs, but it is worth noting that malignant changes can occur in a small number of patients (about 1 to 3%), so patients with suspicion should be followed up and generally reviewed every three months, especially in cases of asymmetry (unilateral) and limited lesions.
In terms of treatment, the main goal is to relieve symptoms and control the further development of the disease. At present, there is no specific medicine for the treatment of mastocytosis, but herbal treatment of blood circulation and blood stasis has a certain effect.
Women over the age of 40 with heavy symptoms and no fertility requirements can take additional anti-estrogenic drugs such as tamoxifen for a short period of time. Mastocytosis itself is not an indication for surgery, but when the following conditions occur: asymmetric glandular thickening in both breasts, nodules and lumps that do not change with the menstrual cycle, nipple overflow, especially single-hole hemorrhagic overflow. Surgical treatment (excisional biopsy or puncture biopsy) is required when medication is not effective.
Mammary gland hyperplasia is a chronic disease with a long treatment course. Therefore, patients who are treated with medication should stay at their trusted hospital or specialist for a relatively stable period of time, and should not change frequently to avoid repeated examinations and incorrect treatment by doctors who do not understand the overall condition. You should also pay attention to the changes in your condition, communicate with your doctor at any time about your feelings after treatment, learn self-examination methods during the interval between treatments, and consult your doctor promptly if you find any problems.
Relationship between mastocytosis and breast cancer
The relationship between mastocytosis, which is neither inflammation nor tumor, and breast cancer has always been the focus of patients’ attention and a hot spot of research for medical practitioners. It is generally believed that the occurrence pattern of invasive breast cancer is as follows: normal gland → common ductal hyperplasia → atypical ductal hyperplasia (mild, moderate or severe) → ductal carcinoma in situ → invasive ductal carcinoma multi-stage occurrence pattern, but it does not mean that after being in each stage, one necessarily enters the next stage. It may be in a certain stage for a long time due to the influence of internal and external environment. It is generally believed that it takes about 1-3 years for normal tissue cells to grow to about 1cm in diameter from the onset of carcinoma, while breast cancer within 2cm is still clinically well treated, therefore, it is especially important to insist on regular breast physical examination. It is recommended that women of childbearing age above 25 should have an annual mammogram and above 35 should have a mammogram every 1-2 years in addition to an ultrasound to detect most early breast cancers, thus effectively reducing the disability and mortality rate of breast cancer.
Breast self-examination and time selection
Self-examination method: Stand or sit in front of a mirror and carefully observe both breasts, including the size, shape, outline, skin and color of the breasts, and whether the nipples are elevated, retracted or overflowing. When palpating, ask your fingers to be stretched out and together, and touch the breast with your fingers on the side of your fingers, left hand on the right side and right hand on the left side, either in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, not missing the nipple areola and armpit area.
The best time: breast self-examination should be once a month, the best time should be selected in the week or so after menstruation, when the breast is relatively soft, easy to find abnormalities. For women who have stopped menstruating, they can choose a fixed time each month for the examination. Each self-examination should be compared with previous self-examinations, and abnormalities found in time to seek medical attention, so as to achieve the purpose of early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment.
How to prevent
1, maintain a good state of mind: cheerful personality, less anger, less temper, maintain emotional stability.
2, pay attention to dietary habits: eat less fried, high-calorie, high-fat food; eat less spicy and stimulating food. Eat more vegetables, fruits, soybean products, mushrooms, fungus, coarse grains and iodine-rich seafood such as seaweed kelp.
3, maintain good habits: regular life, work and rest, do not stay up late. Maintain a harmonious sex life and regulate endocrine disorders.
4, more exercise, consume excess fat, to prevent obesity. Reduce the production of estrogen in the body.