Mastopathy - Specialists and Information on Breast Lumps

Mastopathy is a benign breast condition that most commonly affects women between the ages of 30 and 55. A characteristic feature is that the typical symptoms occur in a cycle-dependent manner. Medical professionals also refer to this as mastodynia. The symptoms intensify about a week before the onset of menstruation. Once menstruation is over, the symptoms subside. Most women of childbearing age are affected by mastopathy. In most cases, however, the condition does not cause any significant symptoms.

Various changes in the breasts are typical of mastopathy. These may include

• swelling,
• cysts, and
• other painful symptoms

. If you examine your breasts yourself, you may also feel lumps about the size of a cherry pit that can be moved around. In rarer cases, fluid may leak from the nipples. In most cases, the symptoms mentioned above affect both breasts.

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Depending on the extent and severity of the condition, doctors classify mastopathy into three grades:

• Grade 1 mastopathy: partial cyst formation, but no risk of malignant progression
• Grade 2 mastopathy: benign cell growths, slightly increased risk of cancer
• Grade 3 mastopathy: pathological cellular changes and an increased risk of cancer

In 70 percent of cases, the condition is Grade 1 mastopathy. Only 10 percent of those affected fall into the third category. Since there is an increased risk of breast cancer in this case, a doctor should regularly monitor changes in Grade 3 mastopathy. It is important to clearly distinguish mastopathy from fibroadenoma. Fibroadenomas are true tumors, whereas mastopathy is benign.

In mastopathy, the hormonal balance is disrupted. There is a deficiency of progesterone accompanied by an excess of estrogen. This elevated estrogen level is responsible for the painful swelling in the breasts that affected women experience about a week before the onset of menstruation. The breasts are also tender to the touch.

Other risk factors that contribute to the development of mastopathy include:

• advanced age at first pregnancy
• late onset of menopause
• childlessness
• hormone replacement therapy with estrogen
• being overweight

In general, mastopathy is not dangerous and can now be treated quite effectively. Only in about 0.1 to 0.3 percent of cases do women with mastopathy develop breast cancer. Mastopathy therefore does not increase the risk of breast cancer. Only in women with grade 3 mastopathy is the risk of breast cancer four to five times higher.

Based on a physical examination and the patient’s description of her symptoms, the gynecologist can diagnose mastopathy with a high degree of certainty. To rule out other conditions, additional tests such as a mammogram may be necessary. Cysts, on the other hand, are detected by the gynecologist using an ultrasound examination. To rule out breast cancer, the gynecologist may take a tissue sample.

Mastopathy itself cannot be treated. The goal of therapy is to relieve the pain. To this end, the gynecologist prescribes progestin-containing creams for topical application or synthetic progestins in the form of oral tablets. Various herbal preparations designed to stimulate progestin production have also proven effective in practice. Chasteberry is one such natural remedy.

Patients suffering from mastopathy can take certain steps themselves to manage their symptoms. Sage and hibiscus tea, for example, have proven effective as home remedies. Both have diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects. Drinking them can therefore help reduce swelling. You should also avoid excessive salt and caffeine, as these—along with sugar and fats—can contribute to mastopathy. However, you cannot directly prevent mastopathy.

Removal of the painful lumps and cysts is necessary only in very rare cases. Doctors recommend surgery in the following situations:

• the breast has become deformed due to the lumps
• an increasing number of lumps are forming
• affected women are afraid of breast cancer
• if the symptoms do not subside even after menopause
• before pregnancy

The surgery is usually performed via subcutaneous mastectomy. During the procedure, the surgeon carefully removes the affected breast tissue.

In general, treatment for mastopathy is not strictly necessary. However, it may be necessary to alleviate the painful changes in the breast. The good news: After menopause, the unpleasant symptoms of mastopathy disappear completely in most women. The reason: After menopause, the body no longer produces sex hormones, and menstrual periods cease.