Fibrocystic Changes of
the Breast....
Understanding Fibrocystic Changes of
the Breast
If you have ever discovered one
or more lumps in your breast, you were probably concerned. Such
lumps often are caused by changes that can occur with the
natural menstrual cycle of a woman's body.
Most often, women who find
lumps in their breasts are between the ages of 30 and 50. The
same hormones that control the menstrual cycle - estrogen and
progesterone-also can cause the breasts to become lumpy or
"fibrocystic." The incidence tends to decrease with menopause.
If you experience these
fibrocystic changes, you may have noticed that your breasts tend
to be more tender and painful before menstruation begins. The
pain and tenderness usually subside after your period.
What are
fibrocystic lumps?
Fibrocystic lumps are a benign (not cancerous) breast condition.
Your doctor may refer to them as "fibrocystic changes" or a
"fibrocystic condition."
How are these
lumps found?
Doctors estimate that up to 85 percent of breast lumps are found
by patients through self-examination before they consult their
physician or undergo a breast X-ray (mammogram).
The National Cancer Institute
(NCI) recommends that all women examine their own breasts once a
month. Self-examination should be done at least five to 10 days
after menstruation, when breast swelling subsides. If you no
longer menstruate, choose a date and conduct a self-examination
on the same date every month. Call the NCI at 800-4-CANCER for a
detailed printed description of how to perform breast
self-examination.
How are these
lumps diagnosed?
If your physician recommends that a lump in your breast be
biopsied (surgically removed and examined), a pathologist (a
physician who specializes in laboratory medicine) will examine
the lump or tissue and determine if it is benign or malignant
(cancerous) by examining the cell structure of the tissue under
a microscope. The pathologist will then consult with your
attending physician regarding the diagnosis and appropriate
treatment.
What does
it mean if my doctor tells me I have a fibrocystic condition?
It means that you have a common benign alteration in your breast
tissue that may cause scarring and the formation of small,
fluid-containing cysts. In fact, there are other benign
conditions that cause lumps in the breast.
The pathologist's diagnosis of
the removed tissue enables your doctor to estimate what risk, if
any, you have of developing a cancer. When you talk to your
doctor, he or she can tell you which kind of change is
responsible for the lump in your breast.
Do the
changes in my breast increase my risk of developing breast
cancer?
Based on the pathologist's examination, a benign change may be
categorized as "no increased risk," "slightly increased risk"
(1.5 to 2 times the normal risk), or "moderately increased risk"
(5 times the normal risk).
What is
meant by relative risk?
These risks have been grouped into three categories that
describe the "relative risk" each has for later developing into
breast cancer. Relative risk is an estimate of the likelihood
that a woman with a benign breast lesion will develop breast
cancer, as compared with a woman who has no known significant
breast abnormality.
Breast Changes and Relative
Cancer Risk
(These conditions have been grouped according to risk.)
No increased risk of cancer
A woman whose biopsy shows one of the breast changes listed
below is at no greater risk for developing invasive breast
cancer as compared with a woman who has no known significant
breast abnormality:
- Apocrine metaplasia
- Duct ectasia
- Fibroadenoma
- Fibrocystic change
- Hyperplasia, mild
- Mastitis (inflammation)
Slightly increased risk (1.5
to 2 times)
A woman whose biopsy shows one of the changes listed below has a
slightly increased risk (1.5 to 2 times) for developing breast
cancer as compared with a woman who has no known significant
breast abnormality:
- Sclerosing adenosis
- Hyperplasia, moderate or
severe (florid)
- Papilloma
Moderately increased risk (5
times)
A woman whose biopsy shows the change listed below has a
moderately increased risk (5 times) for developing breast cancer
as compared with a woman who has no known significant breast
abnormality:
- Atypical hyperplasia of
ductal or lobular type
How often
should I have a mammogram?
The College of American Pathologists (CAP) supports the American
Cancer Society's mammography screening guidelines for early
detection of breast cancer.
Recommended Breast Care
by the American Cancer Society and the CAP
A woman between the ages of 20
and 40 should
- examine her own breasts each
month
- have a medical breast
examination every three years
A woman between the ages of
40 and 49 should
- examine her own breasts each
month
- have a medical breast
examination every year
- have a mammogram every one
to two years (at the discretion of the physician)
A women age 50 and older
should
- examine her own breasts each
month
- have a medical breast
examination every year
- have an annual mammogram
The information provided here
is to educate women about fibrocystic changes and other benign
conditions of the breast. If you discover any lumps in your
breasts, consult your physician. Use this information to help
you understand what you may be experiencing and to assist you in
knowing what questions to ask your doctor.
The mission of the College of
American Pathologists, the principal organization of
board-certified pathologists, is to represent the interests of
patients, the public, and pathologists by fostering excellence
in the practice of pathology worldwide.
Please note: The College of
American Pathologists does not offer medical advice. This
information is provided as a public service to help you better
understand medical conditions. Consult your personal physician
to seek medical advice.
Source: College of
American Pathologists
http://www.cap.org/html/public/fibrocystic.html
Breast Cysts
Any problem with the breasts
can be very frightening because women immediately fear that they
may have cancer. However, although breast cancer can develop at
any age, it is most likely to develop later in life. Many breast
problems are not caused by cancer, especially in women who have
not yet gone through
menopause (are premenopausal). What is a
normal breast?
[Read More]
MediLinks..
Fibrocystic Breast Disease
Fibroadenoma
Fibroadenoma is a solid
benign lump found in the breast which does not contain fluid. It
may cause discomfort and can become larger over time or if a
woman becomes pregnant. Fibroadenomas vary in size, from those
which cannot be felt but which may show up on a mammogram to
those which are large and can be easily felt. They can be
removed surgically if required but can usually be left alone.
The
Fibroadenoma Hub
Fibroadenoma (up close and personal slide) --
Okay, maybe this is too much information
Fibroadenoma (mammography image)
Fibroadenoma (MRI image)
Normal Breast -- The
normal mammography image shows a thin, regular skin line
with a diffuse, even, soft tissue density of the general
glandular tissue and fatty structures organized in a relatively
regular way by Cooper's ligaments. (Courtesy Yale School
of Medicine)
- Fibrocystic Breast Disease (mammogram)
(ultrasound)
  
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