Medical Questions » Breasts, Female Questions » Question No. 169
| Question: | What is mammary dysplasia? How is it treated? Can it be cured? |
| Answer: | Mammary dysplasia (also called fibrocystic disease or hormonal mastitis) causes the development of tender, painful lumps in the breast. The lumps often change in their size and degree of tenderness during the month, depending on the stage of the woman' s menstrual cycle. They are usually at their worst just before a period, and occur in women most commonly between 30 and 50 years, but may be found in teenagers. They are rare after the menopause.
It is obviously vital for doctors to exclude the possibility of breast cancer in these women, and a mammogram and/or ultrasound examination is often carried out before any treatment is given. If there is any lingering doubt about the nature of the disease, a biopsy (taking a sample of the lump in a minor operation) is performed so that the painful tissue can be examined under a microscope by a pathologist to confirm the diagnosis.
A number of medications can be prescribed by doctors to control the condition. It is often a matter of trial and error to find the medication that is best for each patient. The tablets must be taken on a regular basis for many months or years, as they do not give a permanent cure. Women on these treatment regimes must be followed carefully by their doctors so that no other disease can develop undetected in the breast. |
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