More accurately, women develop changes
in the breasts which are more properly
referred to as fibrocystic changes.
This is a benign (non-cancerous) process,
but it can cause symptoms of pain
and tenderness in the breast, as well
as changes in the texture of the breast.
Why
do fibrocystic changes develop?
As women mature,
changes occur in the structure of
the breasts. Over time, breast tissue
is gradually replaced by fatty tissue.
Hormonal cycles also have an effect,
and cause changes in the breast ducts
and lobules which lead to “fibrocystic”
changes. Hormones that are released
during normal menstrual cycles stimulate
the ducts and lobules of the breast.
This is a natural process that occurs
over a woman’s lifetime, and,
in fact, fibrocystic changes in later
life can begin to regress, particularly
in post-menopausal women.
Will
I need surgery if I have fibrocystic
changes?
Usually, fibrocystic changes do not
lead to surgery. Surgery is not indicated
for fibrocystic changes alone, but
if significant symptoms of pain and
tenderness are directly related to
the fibrocystic changes, surgery may
be an option. It is important if you
are diagnosed with fibrocystic changes
that you be evaluated regularly with
a breast examination and mammograms,
as determined by your doctor.
Is
there anything else I need to do or
know about fibrocystic changes?
Fibrocystic changes are very common
and you should not be alarmed if you
are told that you have fibrocystic
changes. But as with any medical condition,
there are certain recommendations.
Some women with fibrocystic change
assume that any symptom that arises
in the breast is due to fibrocystic
change. This is a false assumption,
since other conditions can develop
simultaneously. Any time symptoms
of pain, tenderness, or a change in
the breasts are noted, physician examination
should be performed. A thorough breast
examination is required, and a mammogram
or ultrasound may also be in order
to complete the evaluation of breast
symptoms. If, after evaluation, a
biopsy is indicated, image-guided
minimally invasive biopsy, ultrasound
or stereotactically-guided, performed
in the office setting, may in many
cases be used in place of an excisional
biopsy done in the operating room.
Who
specialize in treatment of diseases
of the breast?
Doctors here at University Surgeons
that evaluate and treat fibrocystic
disease, and specialize in treatment
of diseases of the breast, are:
Steven D. Bines, M.D.
Darius S. Francescatti, M.D.
Norman L. Wool, M.D.
