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Moderate fibrous mastopathy (fibroadenomatosis) is a disease of the mammary glands, characterized by structural changes in their tissues with the proliferation of fibrous and glandular components. As a result of these rearrangements, multiple small cysts, fine-grained and strand compactions can form, and the functional breast tissue is partially replaced by fatty tissue.

A moderate degree of mastopathy is characterized by a more or less uniform change in the mammary gland without the formation of large nodes and cysts. Let's consider the factors that lead to the development of this pathology, symptoms, diagnostic methods and principles of treatment of mastopathy.

Causes of moderate fibroadenomatosis

The main cause of diffuse fibroadenomatosis of the mammary glands is hormonal disorders. As you know, the condition of the mammary gland is regulated by many hormones, the main ones of which are sex steroids (estrogens and progesterone) and prolactin. Luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones, corticosteroids, thyroxine and triiodothyronine, as well as insulin and some other bioactive substances also have an indirect effect.

Therefore, almost any factors accompanied by dysfunction of the endocrine glands can predispose to the development of fibroadenomatosis. Here is a list of diseases and conditions that most often cause moderate fibrous mastopathy :

· diseases of the genital area (ovarian cysts and tumors, polycystic ovary syndrome, chronic salpingoophoritis, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, etc.);

· unfavorable gynecological history (medical abortions, spontaneous miscarriages, early or late menarche, sexual infantilism, late childbirth, refusal to breastfeed or short-term lactation, lack of sexual activity, etc.);

· pathologies of the pituitary gland (adenomas, hemorrhages, brain injuries, infections of the nervous system - encephalitis, meningitis);

· diseases of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis of various etiologies, hypothyroidism, nodular, endemic, diffuse goiter, cancer);

· diseases of the adrenal glands;

· diabetes mellitus (especially type 2, in which there is abdominal obesity);

· liver diseases accompanied by its functional failure (chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis);

· obesity.

Disturbances in the hormonal sphere can be caused by an unfavorable environmental situation, poor diet, bad habits such as smoking and alcohol abuse, frequent overwork, and lack of adequate sleep and rest. More often than not, all these factors act together, aggravating the existing situation.

Symptoms

Moderate fibrous mastopathy often occurs hidden and is accompanied by only minor symptoms. Therefore, many women do not pay enough attention to slight discomfort in the chest or associate unpleasant phenomena with premenstrual syndrome. However, this is wrong, because without treatment, structural changes can progress, leading to the development of a more severe stage of the disease and increasing the risk of breast cancer. Below we list the signs that may indicate the development of fibroadenomatosis:

· moderate pain, increased sensitivity and discomfort in the mammary glands;

· clear or brownish discharge from the nipples;

· swelling of the mammary glands;

· pain in the armpits, sometimes a slight enlargement of the axillary lymph nodes.

These phenomena are usually more pronounced a few days before menstruation; with its onset, the symptoms subside or completely cease to bother. When a woman independently examines her breasts, she may notice the appearance of small compactions, especially in the upper outer quadrants of the glands, in the form of small nodules and dense cords. The skin on the chest often stretches and loses its elasticity.

Diagnosis of the disease

In order to determine an accurate diagnosis, the doctor first finds out the patient’s specific complaints, and also asks her about concomitant symptoms and previous diseases. During the interview, special attention is paid to the gynecological history. Important data are information about the age at which menstruation began, the number of pregnancies and births, their complications, past gynecological diseases, etc. This allows us to suggest the cause of the appearance of diffuse changes in the breasts. Next, the mammary glands are examined and palpated, their symmetry, presence of discharge, consistency, and shape of the lumps are assessed. At the next stage of diagnosing moderate fibrous mastopathy, various instrumental and laboratory methods are used.

Instrumental diagnostics

Ultrasound scanning and mammography are considered the most informative. They allow you to evaluate the structure of the mammary glands, their homogeneity, determine the presence of compactions, the ratio of fibrous, glandular and cystic components. Features of the morphology of the mammary glands determine the different information content of these methods at different age periods of a woman. Thus, ultrasound is most informative among patients under 35-40 years of age, and mammography - after 40-45 years. In some cases, it is necessary to combine both methods to establish a reliable diagnosis.

If there is discharge from the nipples, ductography can be used. This is a radiation diagnostic method in which a contrast agent is injected into the milk ducts. Using ductography, you can diagnose various deformations of the milk ducts, the presence of intraductal papillomas and other proliferative formations in them, and suspect the development of malignant tumors.

Laboratory diagnostics

For moderate breast fibroadenomatosis, laboratory tests are used as additional diagnostic methods. As a rule, the doctor prescribes the following laboratory tests:

· general clinical urine and blood tests (usually the values ​​are within normal limits);

· blood glucose test (to diagnose diabetes mellitus);

· enzyme immunoassay or immunochemical study of hormonal status (determining the concentration of estrogens, progesterone, prolactin, folliculotropin, lutropin, thyroid hormones, etc.);

· indicators of the functional state of the liver (enzymes ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, total protein);

· cytological and histological analyzes of breast biopsies and fluid discharged from the nipples.

A study of the hormonal composition of the blood is necessary to determine the causes of the disease and select the optimal treatment tactics. A breast biopsy followed by histological and cytological analysis is performed to exclude the malignant nature of the pathology.

Methods for treating moderate mastopathy

The basis of treatment for moderate fibrous mastopathy is hormonal therapy. Depending on the results of laboratory tests, the doctor may prescribe the following medications:

· gestagens (for systemic and local use);

· combined contraceptives;

antiestrogenic agents Mabustin;

· medications that inhibit prolactin production;

iodine-containing thyroid hormones;

· insulin or Metformin (for diabetes).

Since relative or absolute hyperestrogenism is most often observed in breast fibroadenomatosis, progesterone preparations and its analogues are most often prescribed. This hormone limits the proliferative effect of estrogens on breast cells. The use of systemic gestagens in the form of injections or tablets is associated with some difficulties, since therapy requires regular monitoring of hormonal status. Therefore, recently they have begun to use gels and creams with gestagenic effects for external application (for example, Progestogel). This method of treatment allows you to act directly on the target organ - the mammary gland.

The next most popular group of drugs is hormonal combined contraceptives, which are taken orally on certain days of the menstrual cycle. They not only help avoid unwanted pregnancy, but also maintain optimal concentrations of sex steroids in the blood. Hormonal contraceptives contain an ideal dose of progesterone and estrogens, due to which the production of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones is inhibited in the pituitary gland. This leads to a temporary cessation of hormone production in the ovaries.

Antiestrogenic agents are used less frequently when indicated. They bind to estradiol receptors located on the surface of breast cells, so the effect of these sex steroids is limited. If the examination reveals an increased level of prolactin, good results can be achieved with the help of drugs that slow down its production in the pituitary gland.

In cases where moderate fibrous mastopathy occurs due to thyroid insufficiency, replacement therapy with synthetic thyroxine is used. If, on the contrary, an increased level of thyroid hormones is found in the blood, medications are used that suppress the synthetic function of the thyroid gland.

Non-hormonal agents

Among drugs that do not have hormonal activity, the following groups of drugs are used to treat moderate fibroadenomatosis:

· vitamins and mineral complexes;

· iodine preparations;

· hepatoprotectors;

· non-steroidal analgesics;

· diuretics;

· various homeopathic and herbal preparations;

· immunomodulators;

· antidepressants and sedatives;

· general strengthening drugs.

These products, when used correctly, improve liver function, reduce mastopathy, strengthen the body's immune defense and normalize the functions of various organs and systems. The goal of both hormonal and non-hormonal conservative therapy is to normalize the body’s hormonal levels and eliminate endocrine pathologies.

Disease prevention

To prevent the development of mastopathy, you should adhere to a healthy lifestyle, stop smoking, and establish a proper and balanced diet. The menu should include more plant foods in the form of fruits, vegetables and various cereals, dairy products. It is also necessary to devote sufficient time to moderate physical activity. In particular, frequent walks, cycling, swimming, skiing, and morning exercises are useful. If your job involves a sedentary lifestyle, you should take breaks whenever possible. Hormonal changes are often associated with stress. To increase stress resistance, you need adequate sleep of at least 7-8 hours a day.

At the first signs of mastopathy, you should contact a specialist for examination. All women, starting from 40 years of age, must undergo an annual mammogram or ultrasound examination of the mammary glands. Once a diagnosis of mastopathy has been established, you must strictly follow medical recommendations and regularly visit a doctor to monitor the dynamics of the disease.

Self-examination

Self-diagnosis is an integral measure for the prevention of moderate fibrous mastopathy and other pathologies of the mammary glands. Every woman who cares about her health should independently examine and palpate her breasts at least once a month. In this case, the symmetry of the mammary glands should be assessed, and attention should be paid to the appearance of any deformations or compactions in the breast structure. Each woman’s body is individual, and often only she herself can notice changes in the breasts and consult a doctor in time. You should not hope that the lumps will disappear on their own, because mastopathy can become a favorable background for the occurrence of a malignant tumor.

In recent decades, all countries have seen an increase (in Russia - by 3.6% annually) in the number of patients with breast cancer. It occupies a leading position in the structure of morbidity and mortality among the female population.

Relevance of the topic under consideration

Early diagnosis and treatment of fibrous changes in the mammary glands, which are one of the components, have become of great importance. This is due to a significant increase in the number of benign pathologies of the mammary glands, which are detected in almost 80% of women of late reproductive age. Diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy is especially common among women of reproductive age - in 60-80%. Most often (in 37-95%), the latter is detected among people suffering from various gynecological pathologies.

Is it necessary to remove pathological formations? Is it possible and how can they be treated with conservative methods? The high degree of relevance of these issues is explained mainly by the fact that, although this pathology is not considered precancerous or one of the stages of the oncological process, malignant tumors almost always develop against its background. In addition, the causes and mechanisms, conditions and risk factors contributing to the development of both are the same.

What is breast fibrosis

The mammary gland consists of glandular and stromal components. Glandular tissue is alveolar glands that form small lobules, united into 15-20 large lobes. Their small milk ducts, lined with epithelium, turn into larger ones that open at the nipple.

The stroma is represented by adipose tissue, fibrous structures of connective (fibrous) tissue, consisting of fibroblasts, collagen and elastin fibers. They surround the lobules and lobes, ducts, form larger radial structures and serve as a kind of frame for the mammary gland. In addition, stromal elements include adipose tissue, blood and lymphatic vessels.

Excessive growth of the connective tissue component of the stroma, or stromal fibrosis, leads to a change in the ratio of the fibrous and glandular components of the gland in favor of the former, to the formation of nodes and cysts (fibroadenomatosis). It is a major component of fibrocystic disease.

Types of fibrous changes

Normally, the structure of the mammary glands depends on the phase of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and lactation, and age. A change in the ratio of glandular and stromal components in the same woman can be physiological and pathological. The pathological condition can be judged only taking into account the above factors, especially taking into account the physiological age-related stages of changes in the organ.

There is no unified classification of fibrosis, and terminology, as a rule, depends on the clinical, radiological and histomorphological picture and is often subjective. For example, depending on the prevalence, diffuse fibrosis of the mammary gland is distinguished, which is a more or less uniform distribution of excess connective tissue in the organ. It is the main component of diffuse fibrocystic and involuting fibrofatty mastopathy.

Focal fibrosis of the mammary gland is a limited growth of connective tissue, looking like a dense node with a diameter of several centimeters, in any part of the gland, most often in the upper outer quadrant. Such a pathological formation is also considered as local fibrosis of the mammary gland. If the boundaries of the nodes or node are defined more or less clearly, many clinicians use the term nodular fibrosis of the mammary gland. However, the meaning of this term is practically no different from the previous one.

Similar to this terminology, there are also relative, comparative subjective definitions of the severity of pathology:

• Moderate fibrosis, when the glandular tissue is slightly replaced by adipose tissue, the connective tissue also grows slightly with or without the formation of single or multiple small cysts and nodular formations. In these cases, upon palpation, the mammary gland has a fine-grained or simply dense character, and on the mammogram an indistinct mesh or mesh-cellular appearance is determined.
• Severe fibrosis is characterized by widespread gross proliferation of connective tissue up to deformation of the organ. Pronounced areas of fibrosis in the mammary gland can occur in advanced cases, after significant mechanical trauma, surgery for diseases, aesthetic surgical plastic surgery, including the installation of implants (post-traumatic fibrosis). Pronounced growths of fibrous tissue also develop after radiation fibrosis.

In addition, there is such a radiological and histological concept of pathology as linear fibrosis of the mammary gland. It characterizes the proliferative processes of densely fibrous connective tissue between the lobules, along the milk ducts and inside the latter.

On mammograms, involutive changes in the mammary gland with fibrosis are detected already at 35–40 years of age. They are initially manifested by a decrease in the glandular tissue of the lobules and its replacement with adipose tissue, the appearance of numerous fibrous strands between the lobules (interlobular fibrosis), the spread of connective tissue growth along small and then large milk ducts (periductal fibrosis of the mammary gland), as a result of which the ducts are compressed and are gradually deserted. Subsequently, the lobules are completely replaced by adipose tissue, which predominates over the connective tissue component.

Somewhat less often, involutive processes occur not of the fatty type, but of the fibrous type. They are characterized by the presence of large areas consisting mainly of connective tissue. On radiographs, these changes have the appearance of rays, which are rather coarse strands of connective tissue, directed mainly radially (stretched fibrosis).

Causes and symptoms of pathology

The disease is polyetiological in nature. With the exception of the traumatic and radiation causes mentioned above, the main role in the development of the pathological process is played by conditions accompanied by a deficiency of progesterone in the body, as well as dysfunction of the ovaries, resulting in a relative or absolute excess of estrogen.

The mammary glands are the target organ of sex hormones, and excess estrogen leads to proliferative tissue processes and disruption of the hormonal receptor system of this organ.

The main and most common factors in the development of fibrosis are:

1. Heredity - the presence of neoplasms in the mammary glands of a benign or malignant nature in relatives on the mother's side.
2. Age over 35-40 years.
3. Early onset of menstruation and late.
4. Neuroendocrine disorders in the hypothalamic-pituitary system and the central nervous system-pituitary gland system, as well as dysfunction of the thyroid gland.
5. Metabolic disorders associated with diabetes and obesity.
6. First pregnancy and childbirth at a late age.
7. Too long and too short a period of breastfeeding or its complete absence.
8. Chronic inflammatory and hyperplastic processes of the internal genital organs and dysfunction of the ovaries.
9. Artificial abortions, especially repeated ones. This is due to the fact that in the early stages hormonal influence causes changes in the glands. As a result of interruption of this influence, reverse processes occur that proceed unevenly. The latter become a trigger factor in the formation and development of fibrosis.
10. Prolonged neuropsychic fatigue and frequent stressful conditions, contributing to dysfunction of the neuroendocrine system.
11. Diseases of the liver and biliary tract with impairment of their function. As a result of this, the inactivating ability of the liver in relation to excess hormones and their excretion in bile is reduced. In this regard, it should be noted that the consumption of foods rich in fat, alcoholic beverages and other hepatotoxic substances has a negative impact on the liver and biliary tract.
12. Intestinal dysfunction (constipation), insufficient consumption of foods containing fiber, disruption of the biocenosis of the intestinal microflora, which is supposed to result in the reabsorption of estrogens that enter the intestines with bile.
13. Lack of vitamins in food, especially A, which has an antiestrogenic effect; E, which is an antioxidant and potentiates the effects of progesterone; B 6, which reduces prolactin content and helps normalize the function of the nervous and vascular systems.
14. Excessive consumption of foods containing methylxanthines, which promote the development of fibrous tissue and the accumulation of fluid in cystic formations. These products include mainly coffee, strongly brewed tea, chocolate, Coca-Cola, and cocoa.

Clinical manifestations of moderate changes may be absent until a certain time.

The most common symptoms of breast fibrosis are:

• an increase in the volume of the glands, engorgement (mastodynia), a feeling of discomfort and heaviness in them a few days before the onset of menstruation or in the second half of the menstrual cycle;
• increased sensitivity of the glands and their pain on palpation;
• pain during the above periods (), less often they become permanent;
• diffuse or single compactions in the form of strands, small or large nodular formations, determined by palpation and sometimes painful, especially 1-2 weeks before menstruation;
• sometimes a slight change in skin color and discharge from the nipples when pressed.

Treatment of breast fibrosis

Anatomical changes in an organ resulting from physical trauma, radiation therapy, or surgery can only be corrected through plastic surgery methods.

For nodular forms, it is necessary to undergo examination by an oncologist using various diagnostic methods, including puncture biopsy. In the case of a single node, emergency histological examination is recommended.

Some authors recommend diet and correction of the functions of the central nervous system, mental state, endocrine system disorders, liver function, biliary system and intestines for prevention, as well as as one of the components of the treatment program for diffuse forms of fibrosis.

In case of psycho-emotional state disorder, it is advisable to use light sedatives, mainly of plant origin, in the form of tinctures and decoctions.

It is necessary to significantly limit the intake of alcoholic beverages and increase fluid intake to 2 liters per day. Food products should be high in fiber and vitamins. It is advisable to use foods containing phytosteroids. The latter are found in soybeans and their sprouts, nuts, sesame seeds, sprouted wheat and, in slightly smaller quantities, in olive oil, fruits and vegetables, berries and corn. It is also possible to use dietary supplements with phytosteroids.

Drug therapy

Given the high degree of dependence of the organ on hormones, various hormonally active drugs and their antagonists are most often recommended. These include:

• Bromocriptine in a dose of ½ - 1 tablet per day for 3 months - six months, helping to correct excess prolactin in the blood.
• Parlodel, which is a semi-synthetic derivative of ergot alkaloids. It has a stimulating effect on dopamine receptors of the hypothalamus, as a result of which the release of prolactin and growth hormone into the blood is suppressed.
• Tamoxifen, the action of which is based on competitive binding in tissues to cellular estradiol receptors, resulting in suppression of ovarian function. This leads to a decrease in compaction areas in the glands and their pain.
• Danazol, which is used in accordance with developed regimens. It has a multifactorial mechanism - it acts directly on steroid receptors in the hypothalamic nuclei, reduces the number of pulsating secretions of gonadotropin-releasing hormones by the hypothalamus, has a direct regulatory effect on the synthesis of steroids in the ovaries by binding certain enzymes and is involved in the synthesis of sex steroids.
• Decapeptyl, Nafarelin, etc., affecting the pituitary gland and suppressing the secretion of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones by its cells, as a result of which the content of sex steroids in the blood decreases.
• Tibolone (Livial) - suppresses the secretion of gonadotropic hormones and has an antiestrogenic effect on epithelial cells.
• - with low-dose, adequate selection, they are pathogenetically quite justified and highly effective. These include Norethisterone, Medroxyprogesterone, Duphaston, etc., as well as the external drug Progestogel gel.

There is no single algorithm for the treatment of diseases of the mammary glands caused by excessive diffuse proliferation of connective tissue, and an individual approach is required in each individual case.

Every third or fourth woman of childbearing age from 30 to 45 years old is faced with a common pathology affecting the mammary glands, with a long and incomprehensible name. Therefore, you should find out in time what fibrocystic mastopathy is from a medical point of view.

Fibrocystic disease or fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands (FCM) is a focal formation with a non-malignant condition of the tissue of the mammary glands, which is formed against the background of an imbalance of hormones produced by the body, in which cystic formations and nodes of various shapes, structures and sizes appear. In this case, there is an abnormal relationship between the epithelium and connective tissue in the gland, both due to proliferation (growth) and atrophy (reduction).

To understand what fibrous mastopathy and cystic mastopathy of the mammary glands are, you need to understand the structure of the gland.

The mammary gland is formed by three types of tissue, the ratio of which is directly affected by age, hormonal fluctuations, and the condition of the reproductive organs. What kind of fabric is this?

1. Parenchyma is the glandular tissue itself, divided into lobes.
2. Stroma is a connective framework tissue that is located between the lobes and lobules.
3. The stroma and parenchyma are enveloped and protected by adipose tissue.

Most often, cystic and fibrous changes in the mammary glands are observed in the parenchyma; less often, stromal fibrosis occurs under the influence of hormones.

A diffuse process is defined in medicine as extensive, affecting a large mass of mammary gland tissue.

Fibrous - means abnormal growth of connective tissue of the mammary glands. Such stromal fibrosis can disrupt the structure of the lobes and ducts, leading to the appearance of abnormal structures in them.

The term cystic refers to the characteristic appearance of mastopathy.

Causes

The main causes of fibrocystic mastopathy of the mammary glands are due to imbalance of hormones - lack of progesterone, abnormally high production of estradiol, prolactin, somatotropin and prostaglandins. Deviations from the normal ratio between the amounts of these hormones lead to fibrocystic changes in the mammary gland.

Glandular mastopathy appears after a fairly long period of time, since it requires a combination of provoking factors of hormonal disorders and their long-term influence.

Similar provoking factors for fibrocystic changes include:

• premature puberty in girls, since early (up to 11–12 years) menarche (first menstrual cycle) gives too high a hormonal load on the body, which also affects the condition of the mammary glands;
• menopause after 55 years due to prolonged exposure of hormones to fibro-adipose tissue;
• frequent abortions and miscarriages (due to sudden hormonal changes);
• absence of childbirth and pregnancy at all;
• gynecological diseases dependent on hormonal disorders (endometriosis, menstrual dysfunction);
• a short period of feeding the baby with breast milk, refusal of breastfeeding at all;
• hereditary factor (on the mother's side);
• age over 35 – 38 years;
• frequent or prolonged stressful situations, often provoking endocrine disorders;
• obesity (hormonal activity of adipose tissue leads to hyperproduction of estrogen);
• neoplasms in the hypothalamus (these tumors can disrupt the proper production of estrogens, FSH and LH);
• diseases of the liver, genitourinary organs, thyroid gland (hypo- and hyperthyroidism, thyrotoxicosis), diabetes mellitus;
• trauma, compression, inflammation of the mammary glands;
• uncontrolled use of hormonal drugs, birth control pills;
• iodine deficiency;
• sluggish intimate life, lack of orgasms (blood stagnation occurs in the vessels of the reproductive organs, causing ovarian dysfunction and subsequent changes in hormonal levels).

General symptoms

The severity of the symptoms of fibrous mastopathy is determined by the form of the pathology and concomitant internal diseases.

In diagnosing mastopathy of the mammary glands, the following main signs dominate:

1. Mastodynia (breast pain).

At the first stage of the disease, every tenth woman experiences pain in the mammary glands before menstrual bleeding, and this manifestation is falsely considered as a sign of premenstrual syndrome.

The pain can be moderate, intense, and has a different character (stabbing, aching, tugging), which is associated with the depth and activity of the process. With severe pain, it is sometimes impossible to touch the chest. After menstruation, the pain subsides, but as the mastopathy deepens, it becomes permanent, and its degree depends on the phase of the monthly cycle.

1. Swelling of the mammary glands (engorgement), associated with stagnation of blood in the veins.
2. Discharge from the mammary gland.

This characteristic symptom of the disease manifests itself only in half of the patients, indicating damage to the milky ducts by the fibrocystic process.

Most often, the amount of discharge from the mammary gland is insignificant, and the fluid appears spontaneously or when the nipple is squeezed. The contents resemble watery colostrum. Greenish or yellow color indicates the development of infection. A threatening symptom is the appearance of a brownish bloody fluid from the nipple, which raises suspicion of possible damage, capillary damage, tumor development and requires immediate examination.

1. Enlargement, tenderness and tension of the lymph nodes closest to the chest. This symptom is usually mild.
2. Depression, tearfulness, emotional instability, irritability (especially often manifested in pain).
3. The appearance of mobile and fixed lumps, nodes in the thickness of the mammary gland, upon palpation of which the diagnosis of fibrocystic mastopathy is made during a routine examination by a mammologist.

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Forms and types of mastopathy

The classification of glandular mastopathy of the mammary gland involves the identification of the main forms of pathology: and nodular.

Initial stage for both forms

The primary stage of the disease is characterized by the development of limited processes in the chest.

When painful changes are limited to a certain area, focal breast fibrosis is diagnosed. In this case, compactions measuring 20 - 30 mm (usually single) of a round, oval shape are usually formed in the upper outer and inner quadrant (zone) of the gland.

It is in this area that the thickness of fibro-adipose tissue is especially pronounced, a large number of lymph nodes and large vessels are located, around which inflammatory and tumor processes occur. Such local fibrosis of the mammary gland is considered as the initial stage of deep proliferation of fibrocytes (stromal cells).

The leading causes of this pathology are considered to be excessive estrogen release and progesterone deficiency, as well as a violation of neurohumoral regulation (the relationship between metabolic processes and neurogenic activity).

Fibrous form and its types

Adenosis, in which hyperplasia (proliferation) of the glandular epithelium of the lobes and milk ducts is pronounced. At the same time, the organ tissue retains its structure, and excessive growth of parenchyma is characterized by a significant increase in breast size.

Manifestations of mammary gland adenosis can be moderate (in girls) and pronounced, which manifest themselves in the development of a sclerosing type of adenosis. It is characterized by damage to the breast by accumulations of microcalcifications (salt deposits), with a certain probability of the appearance of potential foci of cancerous degeneration of cells.

Fibroadenomatosis is a fibrous mastopathy of the mammary glands, in which the fibrous component predominates. It is characterized by stromal proliferation, and in a later stage - multiple appearance. This benign cystic formation of the mammary gland is round, mobile, with a fairly clear contour and density, the appearance of which means that the disease has turned into a nodular form.

Fibrous pathology includes periductal fibrosis (plasmacytic), which is more common in women during menopause. With it, growths form in the form of infiltrates (clusters) of plasma cells around the milk ducts. Perivascular fibrosis is a type of periductal fibrosis in which abnormal stromal growth in the form of compactions of collagen fibers is observed around the milk ducts, blood and lymphatic vessels.

Separately, the state of fibrofatty involution (reverse development) should be highlighted. This is a physiological (not pathological) process in the mammary glands when a woman reaches menopause in normal periods. The essence of the structural changes that occur is the replacement of parenchyma cells with connective and adipose tissue cells.

Leading signs of fibrous mastopathy:

• change in color and sensitivity of the skin over the affected area;
• heaviness, distension;
• discharge from the nipple similar to colostrum (from colorless to colored);
• moderate nagging pain, intensifying before “menstruation” with possible return to the armpit and shoulder;
• identification by palpation of enlarged, tense mammary glands with noticeable highlighting of lobes and fine granularity.

Cystic form

With cystic mastopathy, small cavity structures form in the mammary gland.

The main signs of fibrocystic mastopathy in this form are:

• single and multiple small neoplasms in the form of dense blisters, clearly visible when palpated in a vertical position;
• tension in the mammary glands;
• sometimes – significant soreness of the seals when palpated;
• a slight increase in formations in this type of mastopathy and axillary lymph nodes before monthly bleeding;
• formation of dense strands (linear strand fibrosis).

According to the intensity of changes, fibrofatty and glandular-cystic mastopathy is divided into degrees: minor, moderate and severe, and its types depend on the nature of structural changes in the tissues.

The cystic form often includes fibroadenomatosis with a dominant cystic rather than fibrous component, as well as linear (interlobular) fibrosis, in which nodes and cord structures are formed against the background of stroma growth between the lobes and inside the ducts. In this case, ultrasound reveals clear echo signs of fibrocystic mastopathy.

Mixed form of fibrocystic mastopathy

This type of mastopathy often occurs in a mixed form, characterized by a combination of fibrofatty and cystic forms of the disease and their characteristic symptoms. Fibrous breast disease is well defined independently and can be seen on images during mammography.

Nodular mastopathy

Nodular mastopathy or localized adenomatosis in most cases is a further development of the disease. This type is a focal form of the disease, which in oncology is considered as a precancerous process. Nodes in tissues are easily palpable.

The types of nodular mastopathy include:

• cystic formations;
• fibroadenoma with a dominant cystic component;
• papillomas inside the milk ducts;
• leaf-shaped tumors;
• hamartoma, lipogranuloma, lipoma, angioma.

Features of nodular formations

1. If the nodes are of cystic origin, then they have a dense elastic structure, clear contours and shape, delimited from adjacent tissues.
2. Nodes in the form of foci of compaction are palpated as formations with pronounced lobes without obvious boundaries.
3. The dimensions of compaction areas reach 60 – 70 mm.
4. The pain syndrome is either insignificant or absent.
5. They can be single, multiple, detected on one or both sides (bilateral FCM).
6. Before the menstrual cycle, the lumps may enlarge, swell, and become painful.
7. Difficult to palpate if the patient is in a horizontal position during examination.
8. Peripheral lymph nodes do not enlarge.

Bilateral mastopathy

Damage to the fibro-fatty and glandular tissue of both glands means that bilateral fibrocystic mastopathy develops, indicating a persistent and serious hormonal disorder. Therefore, treatment requires mandatory normalization of the level and ratio of hormones, as well as identifying the cause of such an imbalance, including dysfunction of the ovaries, pituitary-hypothalamic system, thyroid gland, and adrenal glands.

The two-way process almost doubles the risk of cancerous degeneration of diseased cells.

Why is fibrous mastopathy dangerous?

Initially, glandular mastopathy was not considered a condition with a high risk of cancer.

But medical practice and research have revealed that breast fibrosis should be considered and treated as an intermediate pre-tumor condition, which can, with varying degrees of probability, lead to malignancy (the cells acquiring the properties of a malignant tumor).

At an early stage, the disease responds well to therapy, so it is recommended that all diagnostic procedures be performed by a mammologist as early as possible and begin treatment for fibrocystic mastopathy without waiting for complications.

Nodular pathology can be proliferative (progressive) or non-proliferative in nature.

The most unfavorable form is the proliferative form, when the tissue actively grows with the formation of neoplasms in the milk ducts and on the internal walls of the cavity structures, with the further development of cystadenopapillomas. Such changes carry the threat of malignant degeneration.

Diagnostics

Before prescribing diagnostic measures, the doctor will examine, palpate the breast and collect an anamnesis. Already during the initial examination, the patient can be diagnosed with asymmetry of the mammary glands, swelling, venous pattern, change in the position and shape of the nipples.

Palpation of the breast must be carried out in the first phase of the monthly cycle. Palpation is carried out in two positions - standing and lying down. This is due to the fact that some neoplasms can be detected only in one of the body positions. Also, during the examination, the doctor may squeeze the nipples to determine the presence or absence of discharge.

To confirm the diagnosis, the following studies may be prescribed:

• mammography;
• Ultrasound of the mammary glands and pelvic organs;
• puncture. A puncture biopsy is necessary to differentiate FCM from cancerous tumors and other formations. During this procedure, the specialist will take a fragment of the tumor, which will later be sent for histological examination;
• determination of hormone levels;
• blood chemistry;
• ductography;
• pneumocystography;
• thermography;
• MRI or CT.

Drug treatment of FCM

In order for mastopathy treatment to be as effective as possible, it is necessary to conduct a thorough diagnosis, based on the results of which the doctor will prescribe complex therapy. Conservative treatment can be carried out using non-hormonal or hormonal drugs.

Non-hormonal agents used to treat FCM:

1. Vitamins. Vitamin A has an anti-estrogenic effect, vitamin E enhances the effect of progesterone, vitamin B6 reduces the concentration of prolactin, vitamin P and ascorbic acid strengthen the walls of blood vessels, relieve swelling of the gland, and improve blood circulation in it. All of these vitamins have a positive effect on the functioning of the liver, namely, it inactivates estrogens.
2. Iodine preparations normalize the functioning of the thyroid gland and also participate in the synthesis of its hormones. In this connection, doctors prescribe Iodine-active, Iodomarin.
3. Sedatives and adaptogens. Sedatives – valerian, motherwort, peony tincture improve a woman’s psycho-emotional state and minimize the impact of stress on the body. Adaptogens (Rhodiola rosea, Eleutherococcus) increase immunity, have a positive effect on metabolism and normalize liver function.
4. Herbal medicines (Mastodinon, Remens, Cyclodinone) stabilize hormonal levels, reduce prolactin production, and stop pathological processes in the mammary gland.
5. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Nise, Indomethacin, Diclofenac) relieve swelling and reduce pain by reducing the concentration of prostaglandins.
6. Diuretics (kidney tea, lingonberry leaf, or Lasix) relieve pain by removing excess fluid from the body, which leads to a decrease in swelling.

Hormonal therapy:

1. Gestagens (Pregnil, Utrozhestan, Norkolut, Duphaston). Drugs in this group reduce the production of estrogen in the second phase of the menstrual cycle. Experts recommend taking these medications for at least 4-6 months. Also, gestagens are prescribed for local use (Progestogel gel). This gel must be applied to the mammary glands for several months. This use ensures 90% absorption of progesterone and eliminates possible side effects observed with oral administration.
2. Prolactin production inhibitors (Parlodel). It is prescribed for obvious hyperprolactinemia.
3. Androgens (Danazol, Methyltestosterone, Testobromlecite). They are prescribed to older women.
4. Antiestrogens (Tamoxifen).
5. Combined oral contraceptives (Rigevidon, Marvelon). These medications are recommended for women under 35 years of age who have disorders of the second phase of the menstrual cycle.

Methods for removing tumors in the breast

Surgery to remove fibrocystic mastopathy is rarely prescribed. Surgical intervention is advisable in the absence of a positive effect from conservative treatment or in cases where there is a suspicion of a malignant process in the mammary gland.

Also, removal surgery cannot be avoided in the following cases:

• a woman or girl has been diagnosed with nodular fibrocystic mastopathy in a late stage;
• the presence of painful sensations that bother the patient;
• inflammatory process;
• suppuration of tumors in the chest or their rupture.

Operations to remove fibrocystic mastopathy are carried out in the following ways:

1. Enucleation. In this case, surgeons remove the tumor itself, leaving healthy breast tissue unaffected.
2. Sectoral resection. Along with the formation, part of the affected tissue is removed.
3. Radical resection (the mammary gland is completely removed).

For fibrocystic mastopathy, enucleation is often used. This intervention lasts no more than an hour, after which the woman is left in the hospital for several hours for medical supervision. If no complications arise during this period, she is discharged home. After 10-12 days, postoperative sutures are removed.

Consequences and recovery after surgery

During the recovery period after surgery, it is recommended to strictly follow all recommendations of the attending physician:

1. Regularly change the bandage and treat postoperative sutures to speed up the healing process of wounds and prevent their infection.
2. Take all medications prescribed by your doctor. These can be antibiotics, hormonal agents, agents to accelerate tissue regeneration, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
3. Keep calm. Bed rest must be observed for at least 4-5 days to prevent the stitches from coming apart.
4. Eat properly and nutritiously, follow the diet prescribed by a specialist.

At the time prescribed by the doctor, the patient must undergo a medical examination, during which her sutures will be removed and a further course of therapy will be prescribed.

As a rule, the recovery period after removal of fibrocystic mastopathy passes without complications. The mark after the operation remains barely noticeable, it can be quickly eliminated with the help of modern medical cosmetology.

But even after surgery, it is necessary to undergo regular examinations with a mammologist, since the risk of cells degenerating into a malignant tumor still exists.

Since the removal of fibrocystic neoplasms in the breast is still an operation, it can provoke the following complications:

• bleeding;
• the appearance of a hematoma in the chest cavity;
• inflammation and suppuration of the wound;
• asymmetry of the mammary glands;
• atrophy of the pectoral muscle;
• nerve or vascular damage.

Relapse of the disease can be observed in the presence of foci of pathologically altered tissue, which can occur if the surgical margin is incorrectly defined.

If the disease is not treated promptly, the consequences of FCM can be very serious. The most dangerous complication of the disease may be breast cancer. The initial stages of the malignant process are usually non-invasive, and important organs are not affected, so the early stages are treated quite successfully. But in medicine there have been cases when cancer is invasive in nature, and then the following forms of oncology may occur:

1. Ductal cancer, which is localized in the wall of the duct. Characterized by rapid growth. The tumor can spread beyond the milk duct in a short time.
2. Lobular cancer initially affects the breast tissue, but gradually spreads beyond it.
3. Inflammatory cancer is rare. It has a similar clinical picture to mastitis, which is why differential diagnosis is so important.
4. Ulcerative form of cancer (Paget's cancer).

Prevention and contraindications

First of all, the prevention of fibrocystic mastopathy consists in eliminating the underlying diseases that give impetus to its development. It is also necessary to exclude external provoking factors.

Every woman must regularly conduct an independent examination of the mammary glands and if the shape of the breast changes, pain, discharge from the nipples and other alarming signs appear, immediately seek advice from a mammologist.

It is important for girls to choose the right bra - it is advisable that it is made from natural fabrics, and that it does not deform or strongly compress the mammary glands.

Good prevention of fibrocystic mastopathy is childbirth and a long period of breastfeeding. It is necessary to avoid abortions, live a full sex life, try not to react to stressful situations, eat right and lead an active lifestyle. Patients are advised to give up coffee, strong tea, flour and sweets. Many doctors associate the appearance of fibrous structures in the breasts with abnormalities in the intestines, so girls should eliminate constipation and normalize the bacterial flora.

If you have fibrocystic mastopathy, it is not recommended to drink alcohol, smoke or warm the mammary glands (visit saunas and steam baths).

Fibrocystic mastopathy is a pathology that requires immediate treatment. Delay and uncontrolled use of medications can only worsen a woman’s condition and lead to the transformation of a benign neoplasm into a malignant one.

Uncontrolled tissue changes in the breast area (diffuse mastopathy) is a very common problem that worries many women. The disease is considered very dangerous, since in the absence of competent and timely treatment, a woman can experience various kinds of complications, including the development of breast cancer.

In the article we will talk about diffuse mastopathy, what it is, whether the disease is so terrible and what are the reasons for its development.

Diffuse mastopathy of the breast: what is it?

The disease is characterized by changes in tissue in the chest area and excessive growth of connective tissue. As a result, the breast tissue becomes denser, and small nodules and cysts can form in them.

The structure and functionality of the ducts are disrupted, as a result of which a woman experiences a special discharge from the nipples that looks like colostrum.

What is diffuse mastopathy of the mammary gland? This is a disease that is most often localized in the area of ​​one breast. However, bilateral diffuse mastopathy can also occur (when both mammary glands are affected).

Based on the clinical picture of the disease and the nature of tissue changes, several types of diffuse mastopathy are distinguished:

1. Glandular (adenosis) – characterized by excessive growth of glandular tissue, changes in the epithelial layer in the area of ​​the mammary glands.

   The disease is characterized by such symptoms as: the presence of small lumps, pain, itching in the nipple area, noticeable breast enlargement before the onset of menstruation. Find out about glandular fibrous mastopathy in the article.

   In addition, there is a characteristic discharge of yellow, green or brown color.

2. Fibrous - here there is a change in tissue in the area of ​​the thoracic lobes, changes in the glandular part of the milk ducts until they are completely overgrown. This form of the disease is characterized by the appearance of periodic stabbing pain in the chest area, a burning sensation, breast swelling, the appearance of small nodules, enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit area, and discharge, which can be observed both with pressure and in a calm state. How to identify and how to treat diffuse fibrous mastopathy? Find out here.
3. Cystic - characterized by the presence of a large number of soft seals, which are elastic capsules filled with a cystic component. Signs of this form include pain that is observed not only in the chest, but also in the armpits, shoulder blades, yellowish or whitish discharge from the nipples. Read about the causes of diffuse cystic mastopathy here.
4. Mixed – belongs to the category of benign oncological diseases, characterized by a change in the ratio of the epithelium and other breast tissues. With this form, a woman may experience pain that intensifies over time, significant changes in the structure of the breast, and cloudy discharge from the nipple of the affected breast.

Also read here about diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy, and here you will read about fibroadenomatosis of the mammary glands.

Diffuse mastopathy in the photo:

Risk groups and causes of development

A number of factors can lead to the emergence and development of diffuse dyshormonal mastopathy. Let's highlight the main ones:

1. Genetic predisposition. If close relatives (mother, sister) of a woman have had this problem, or any other breast diseases, this increases the risk of developing diffuse mastopathy in her case.
2. Hormonal disorders, in particular, excess of the hormone estrogen, or lack of progesterone, disorders of neurohumoral regulation, disorders of neurohumoral regulation.
3. Unfavorable external environment, for example, poor ecology, radiation, excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays on the chest area.
4. Unhealthy lifestyle (smoking, alcohol, promiscuous sex life, or lack thereof, frequent abortions, stress at work and in personal life).

The occurrence and development of mastopathy is facilitated by some female diseases, for example, infertility, ovarian dysfunction, adnexitis, and previous mastopathy. Experts note that women who have had an abortion 3 or more times suffer from diffuse mastopathy 7 times more often.

In addition, some other diseases are considered a risk factor, in particular, malfunction of the adrenal glands, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, obesity, hepatitis and other pathologies.

Clinical picture

To determine that this is diffuse mastopathy, the following signs may be observed:

1. Pain in the chest area. The pain may vary depending on the form of the disease. Most often, pain intensifies immediately before the onset of menstruation, and after its completion, weakens. If left untreated, the pain becomes stronger and appears more often.
2. Breast enlargement is observed, especially before the onset of menstruation.
3. In the breast tissue, the formation of single or multiple compactions is observed, which can be felt by palpation.
4. The skin of the chest also changes, acne and rashes appear, and the skin becomes rougher.
5. There is discharge of various colors (from translucent to bloody).
6. The menstrual cycle changes, as does the intensity of menstruation.
7. In some cases, there is an increase in lymph nodes in the armpits.
8. Sometimes diffuse mastopathy is accompanied by other female diseases (diseases of the uterus, ovaries).
9. The general condition of the body changes (dry skin, brittle nails, excessive hair loss).

You can read more about other symptoms and manifestations of mastopathy in the “Diagnostics and Symptoms” section.

Diagnostic methods

If one or more of the signs listed above is detected, an urgent consultation with a mammologist is necessary. To make a diagnosis, your doctor may need the following tests:

1. Examination and palpation of the breast. It is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis based on examination and palpation alone. At this stage, the doctor determines the presence or absence of lumps in the breast tissue.
2. Mammography. Using X-rays, it allows you to determine the presence of small compactions, tissue changes, establish the form of pathology, and exclude the presence of malignant formations.
3. Ultrasound determines the condition of the ducts, lobules of the mammary gland, allows you to determine cystic foci, places of their localization and growth in these areas.
4. Ductography. If there is discharge from the nipples, ductography is performed, an examination that allows one to determine the degree of deformation of the milk duct, the presence of cysts and seals of various sizes.
5. Examination of nipple discharge allows one to exclude diseases with similar symptoms (for example, tuberculosis, breast syphilis).

To make a more accurate diagnosis, your doctor may need additional tests. In particular, tests for hormones and tumor markers, biopsy and MRI of the breast. If you have concomitant diseases, you should consult a gynecologist and endocrinologist.

Treatment Options

It is important to remember that only a doctor should prescribe treatment for mastopathy, since there is no single algorithm to help cope with the problem; everything is strictly individual, depending on the form, stage of the disease, and the characteristics of the patient’s body.

Most often, conservative measures are used for diffuse breast mastopathy:

1. If mastopathy occurs as a result of any disease or disorder in the body, first of all, it is necessary to eliminate this cause, to eliminate the factors that contributed to the development of the pathology.
2. A prerequisite is diet and proper nutrition. It is recommended to eat foods rich in vitamins and microelements (fruits, vegetables, grains).

   And it’s best to avoid sweets, pickles, and smoked foods.

   The patient is prescribed vitamin supplements.

3. Hormonal therapy is prescribed in cases where hormonal imbalances occur. Such drugs include gestagens, thyroid hormone preparations, hormonal oral contraceptives, topical agents (if the patient complains of severe pain in the chest area).
4. Physiotherapy (for example, galvanization, salt and mineral baths, laser therapy, electrophoresis) helps to achieve positive dynamics.
5. It is necessary to adhere to a healthy lifestyle, give up bad habits, avoid stress, and protect your breasts from exposure to UV rays. It is important to pay attention to breast underwear. The bra should be the right size, support the mammary gland without squeezing it.

To treat diffuse mastopathy in the early stages, traditional medicine is also used, such as herbal decoctions, compresses, lotions, ointments, tinctures made from plants such as nettle, burdock root, dandelion, St. John's wort.

These funds are used only as auxiliaries, but do not replace treatment prescribed by a doctor.

If large cystic formations are found in the breast tissue, the patient will require surgical intervention.

Is diffuse mastopathy so scary? No, if you start treatment in a timely manner, the prognosis of the disease is most often positive.

In the early stages, diffuse mastopathy is easy to treat and does not cause complications.

However, if treatment is delayed, diffuse mastopathy, which is benign in nature, can develop into cancer.

Now you know everything about the diffuse form of mastopathy, what kind of disease it is and how to treat it.

A woman should be attentive to herself and her health, in particular, conduct regular self-examination of the mammary glands and monitor their condition. If any changes are detected, you should immediately consult a doctor.

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Signs of diffuse fibrous mastopathy

Discomfort in the mammary glands is often associated with various breast pathologies. Diffuse fibrous mastopathy is no exception; at the initial stages of the development of the pathology, cyclical painful sensations may be noted that disappear with the onset of the menstrual cycle. Most women consider such symptoms to be normal, but irresponsibility can lead to ongoing chest pain and even the development of cancer.

• 1 Reasons
• 2 Symptoms
• 3 Diagnostics
• 4 Treatment
• 5 Prevention

Causes

Diffuse mastopathy with a predominance of the fibrous component occurs in every third woman diagnosed with breast hyperplasia. This process is characterized by abnormal growth of tissue inside the breast, which leads to the formation of lumps in the breast. The fibrous form of mastopathy is characterized by active cell division, which subsequently clogs the milk ducts of the mammary gland. This phenomenon is called fibrosis of breast epithelial tissue.

The main cause of diffuse fibrous mastopathy is hormonal imbalance, which in turn appears for several reasons:

• stress or depression over a long period of time
• absence of labor and lactation during childbearing age
• abortions
• pathologies in the endocrine and gynecological sphere
• long-term exposure to ultraviolet light on the breasts
• reproductive disorders in the body
• lack of balanced nutrition
• acceleration
• bad habits
• mammary gland injuries of varying severity
• irregular sex life
• liver pathology
• hereditary factor

Symptoms

Not all women have diffuse fibrous mastopathy of the mammary glands with characteristic symptoms. In this case, diffuse fibrous mastopathy can be detected during a regular visit to the mammologist approximately once a year.

The main signs of diffuse fibrous mastopathy:

• Pronounced premenstrual syndrome - in women with this type of mastopathy, all PMS symptoms worsen due to hormonal imbalance and pathological changes in the mammary gland.
• Discharge from the nipples - the character can be varied, as well as the color. Typically, the color of the discharge varies from clear to pinkish. If there is purulent discharge, you should immediately inform your doctor and begin diagnostics.
• Painful sensations appear both when touching the chest and during physical activity such as walking, running, etc.
• Neoplasms inside the mammary gland are round elastic seals that have an oblong shape. This symptom can be either cyclical or acyclic. That is, with the onset of menstruation, the manifestations of pathology disappear, and before the next one they appear again.
• Feeling of heaviness in the chest.

Discomfort in the mammary gland with diffuse fibrous mastopathy is most often acyclic in nature, and the onset of the menstrual cycle does not cause their disappearance.

Diagnostics

Before prescribing treatment for diffuse fibrous type mastopathy, a specialist must carry out a number of diagnostic procedures to help identify the most complete picture of the pathology. According to research results, a diagnosis is made and optimal therapy is selected.

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Basic procedures for diagnosing diffuse fibrous type mastopathy:

• Self-examination and palpation of the breast - many pathologies are detected by women during self-examination of the mammary glands. The procedure should be carried out immediately after the end of menstruation, and any changes should be a reason to visit a mammologist.
• External examination and palpation of the breast by a mammologist - carried out a week after the start of the menstrual cycle for the most accurate information. The specialist examines the breasts for lumps, asymmetry, changes in appearance and skin. Additionally, the lymph nodes in the armpits are palpated for inflammation.
• Mammography is an x-ray examination in which the mammary glands are examined in several projections and photographs are taken. They are subsequently sent to a specialist to further investigate the problem. Seals in the mammary gland with mastopathy appear in the image as shadows with blurred boundaries. This breast examination method can detect even minor changes inside the mammary gland. It is recommended to undergo mammography starting from the sixth day of the menstrual cycle, but no later than the twelfth. Other terms for completing such diagnostics are unacceptable due to the lack of adequate information content.
• Ultrasound of the mammary glands differs from mammography in its absolute safety and absence of radiation. Women of any age and category, including pregnant and lactating women, are allowed to undergo ultrasound examination. Ultrasound of the mammary glands reveals only neoplasms in the breast that are larger than one centimeter in size, shows their structure, the nature of the course and localization inside the gland.
• Biopsy - consists of a cytological examination of material taken from a lump in the mammary gland using a needle. Allows you to identify malignant cells.
• Ductography is necessary in the presence of nipple discharge. An X-ray sensitive substance is injected into the milk ducts, then an X-ray is taken. The resulting images allow you to study in detail the condition of the ducts and determine the presence of pathological processes in them.
• Blood test for hormones – reveals the level of hormones in a woman’s body, which greatly facilitates the selection of treatment methods for mastopathy.
• General blood analysis.
• Cytological examination of nipple discharge.
• Examination by a gynecologist, endocrinologist and psychotherapist - a referral is given by a mammologist depending on the causes of mastopathy.

After all the necessary diagnostics have been carried out, a clear picture of the pathology emerges. The doctor prescribes appropriate treatment for diffuse fibrous mastopathy and makes recommendations to increase the effectiveness of the therapy.

Treatment

Treatment of diffuse fibrous mastopathy is a combination of therapeutic methods, each of which complements each other, increasing the chances of a quick cure for mastopathy.

Depending on the causes of the development of diffuse fibrous mastopathy, the following treatment methods are distinguished:

• Sedatives – normalize the patient’s emotional and psychological background, which leads to a balance of hormones. Usually soothing teas and infusions of motherwort, valerian, lemon balm, mint, and hops are used. A moderate dosage and frequency of administration should be determined by the attending physician.
• Hormonal products - contain the necessary elements that can stabilize hormonal levels. Based on the test results, the doctor may prescribe progesterone - Utrozhestan, Duphaston, for fibrous compactions - Tamoxifen, during menopause - Levial. You should not buy such medications without a doctor’s prescription; taking them on your own can lead to irreparable consequences and increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
• Vitamins A, B, C, E - normalize metabolism inside the mammary glands, and also improve liver function. Triovit is ideal as a comprehensive supplement; it contains, in addition to vitamins, an important element called selenium.
• Immunostimulating drugs - as the name implies, their function is to strengthen the immune system.
• Diuretics - used to prevent swelling during mastopathy.
• Homeopathic medicines - improve the production of missing hormones, thereby eliminating their imbalance. Such drugs as Klamin, Mastodinon, Fitonol have earned the approval of specialists.
• Hepatoprotectors – improve liver function, which is necessary to restore hormonal balance. This group of medicines includes: Essentiale, Hofitol, Legalon, Heptral.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs - used to eliminate symptoms only when they are present. Often aimed at reducing pain in the mammary gland. Long-term use may cause the condition to worsen and cause side effects.
• Traditional therapy - before treating your breasts with traditional medicine, you must consult a doctor. Some methods may cause more harm than good. Traditional medicine for the treatment of mastopathy includes compresses and herbal infusions and decoctions.

In advanced stages of diffuse fibrous mastopathy, surgical intervention is resorted to. A sectoral breast resection is performed, during which the patient has the tumor removed, as well as inflamed areas of tissue.

In addition to drug therapy for mastopathy, a strict diet is prescribed, excluding the consumption of caffeine-containing products, alcohol, tobacco, fatty, salty and smoked foods. Enriching your diet with fiber and eating plant foods is encouraged.

Prevention

Prevention of mastopathy, of any type, consists of monthly self-examination of the mammary glands and annual observation by a mammologist. Additionally, you will need to undergo a breast ultrasound or mammography.

It is extremely important to lead a healthy lifestyle, which allows you to avoid encounters with various pathologies, including the mammary glands. Stop smoking, alcohol, and junk food rich in unnecessary carbohydrates. Be sure to devote time to physical activity in accordance with your health condition. Walking in the fresh air, a balanced diet, and proper rest are the key to a healthy future not only for the mammary glands, but also for the body as a whole.

Women prone to breast pathologies are not recommended to wear synthetic and shapewear. Underwear should fit perfectly, not compress the chest and consist only of natural fabrics.

If you are reading these lines, we can conclude that all your attempts to combat chest pain have not been successful... Have you even read anything about medications designed to defeat the infection? And this is not surprising, because mastopathy can be fatal to humans - it can develop very quickly.

• Frequent chest pain
• Discomfort
• Experiences
• Discharge
• Skin changes

Surely you know these symptoms firsthand. But is it possible to defeat the infection without harming yourself? Read the article about effective, modern ways to effectively combat mastopathy and more... Read the article...

The prognosis for diffuse fibrous mastopathy is favorable, especially if the woman does not have a hereditary factor. This type of mastopathy is not oncology, but this does not mean that it does not require treatment. If you follow the recommendations of your doctor and timely diagnosis, any pathology of the mammary glands can be cured as soon as possible.

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Mastopathy

Symptoms

• Enlargement and tenderness of the mammary glands

Mastopathy is a disease of the mammary gland (one or both), which is characterized by the appearance in its tissues of various sizes of formations and compactions in the form of single or multiple fine-grained nodes.

Currently, the initial signs of mastopathy occur in most women. An untreated disease can lead to serious complications that may require surgical intervention (puncture or removal of the affected sector). Therefore, a woman should take care of her health in a timely manner and not miss the first signs of the disease, and if necessary, immediately carry out treatment and prevention.

Types of mastopathy

There are two main forms of the disease: nodular and diffuse.

• Nodular: single compactions are found in the gland.
• Diffuse: many compactions are detected in the mammary glands.
• Fibrocystic mastopathy is a type of diffuse form and is manifested by the development of cysts, fibroadenomas and intraductal papillomas.

Among the risk factors for developing the disease are the following:

Mastopathy itself is not terrible, but there is a risk of developing severe complications and a tumor process.

Symptoms

The very first symptom of mastopathy is pain in the mammary glands (mastalgia) a few days before menstruation, tension in the mammary glands. Mastalgia occurs due to fluid retention in the tissues of the mammary glands under the influence of the hormone progesterone, the concentration of which in the blood increases in the second half of the menstrual cycle. Some experts express the opinion that these manifestations may be a variant of the norm. But a detailed examination (palpation, mammography, ultrasound) often reveals diffuse changes in the breast tissue. As the disease progresses, mastalgia becomes constant and does not depend on cyclical features, discharge from the nipples may appear, and persistent fibrocystic changes appear in the tissues.

The earlier treatment and prevention are started, the greater the chances of stopping the disease.

There is no doubt about the need for annual preventive examinations by a mammologist, and if the disease is present, by a surgeon and gynecologist. But if signs of progression of mastopathy and symptoms of complications appear (increased pain, thickening, discharge from the nipple of a bloody, purulent, colostrum or sanguineous nature), then you should urgently consult a doctor to clarify the diagnosis and treatment tactics.

Principles of treatment of mammary gland mastopathy

As a rule, complex conservative (therapeutic) treatment is carried out, and surgical intervention is carried out only if necessary. Treatment of the disease is carried out on an individual basis and can only be prescribed by a specialist, depending on the form and stage of the disease and the presence of complications.

The main treatment for fibrocystic mastopathy, which is prescribed only by an experienced specialist, is hormonal therapy to eliminate existing disorders. In addition, the patient is prescribed a special diet, iodine preparations, diuretics and anti-inflammatory drugs and herbs, and, if necessary, sedatives and sedatives, and psychotherapy.

It is certainly impossible to treat mastopathy on your own - this can lead to serious and even extremely serious consequences.

Prevention of nodular and diffuse breast mastopathy

Mastopathy is considered a precancerous condition. This does not mean that in every case of the disease cancer occurs, but the risk of getting sick increases significantly. Therefore, prevention of mastopathy is no less important than its treatment.

Main components of prevention:

• High-quality balanced nutrition with a limit on the amount of fat and salt consumed. It is known that adipose tissue in the body is an additional source of estrogens - female sex hormones. Reducing the amount of fat in the diet will reduce the stimulating hormonal load on the mammary gland. Salt is known to retain fluid in the body. Therefore, it should be limited in the daily diet for mastopathy. It is recommended to consume vegetables and fruits, which contain vitamins B and C, trace elements zinc and magnesium, which regulate the production of the hormone prolactin.
• Treatment of chronic stress, psycho-emotional comfort.
• Wearing a properly fitted bra: neither too loose nor too tight, of the right size, and made of breathable fabric. The load should be distributed evenly across the muscles and ligaments.
• Cancel hormonal contraceptives, which can aggravate the development of mastopathy.
• Self-examination of the breast at least once a month, which resembles a massage and in itself has a preventive effect.

Symptoms of mastopathy

The most common symptoms of mastopathy are known, which can appear regardless of the form of the disease:

• Painful sensations, bloating and heaviness in the mammary glands.
• Single or multiple lumps in the mammary glands of various sizes.
• Discharge of various types from the mammary glands (sacral, colostrum, bloody), enlarged regional (axillary) lymph nodes - all this indicates the occurrence of a malignant process.

Most often, patients experience the following symptoms of mastopathy: dull aching or bursting pain in the area of ​​one or two mammary glands, a feeling of heaviness that can occur or intensify several days before the onset of menstrual flow, and sometimes in the second phase of the cycle. Patients often feel painful lumps in one or more mammary glands. Sometimes they are discovered by chance (in 10-15% of cases) during self-examination or examination by a doctor and do not manifest themselves in any way. And lumps, pain, and discharge from the nipples with mastopathy can either increase or decrease.

With hormonal disorders associated with an increase in the level of prolactin in the blood (hyperprolactinemia, for example, with an adenoma of the anterior pituitary gland) and less often with diseases of the thyroid gland with a decrease in hormone production, milk discharge from the mammary glands (galactorrhea) appears in nulliparous women. In some cases, the cause of galactorrhea cannot be determined.

Symptoms of diffuse mastopathy

(+/-) – unstable,

(+) – single discharge with strong pressure on the nipple,

(++) – when pressing on the nipple, copious discharge is noted,

(+++) – milk separation is spontaneous.

Bloody discharge most often appears when an intraductal papilloma or other tumor occurs and occurs spontaneously.

Most often, symptoms of diffuse mastopathy appear in the initial stages of the disease. The development of the disease begins with barely noticeable sensations of fullness and discomfort in the mammary gland before menstrual flow; these sensations disappear in the first phase of the cycle. Then the pain becomes stronger, sometimes reaching intense pain, spreading to the armpit, shoulder, shoulder blade, and intensifying when touching the chest. In such cases, patients have disturbed sleep. This form of mastopathy is more common in women under 35 years of age. In the first phase of the menstrual cycle, all these symptoms decrease, the lumps soften somewhat or disappear. These are manifestations of the initial stages of fibrocystic mastopathy.

At the next stages, the painful sensations disappear, discharge from the mammary glands of a different nature may appear: transparent, yellowish, greenish, colostrum-type, etc. Painful lumps and discharge from the nipples intensify in the premenstrual period and then decrease. But complete softening of the seals does not occur. The seals are palpated as granular, rough lobulations.

Symptoms of nodular mastopathy

Symptoms of nodular mastopathy occur more often in women aged 30 to 50 years. Lumps (nodes) in the chest are more pronounced, with clear boundaries, in contrast to lumps in the diffuse form. It is easiest to feel the lumps in a standing position, but in a lying position, the lumps lose their clear boundaries, disappearing into the gland tissue. Nodules can appear in one or both glands, be single or multiple. They occur against the background of diffuse changes and may be accompanied by discharge from the nipples.

Nodular mastopathy should be more carefully examined for malignancy (malignancy), since the symptoms of cancer and nodular mastopathy are very similar. For this purpose, studies such as mammography, ductography (examination of the duct system), and ultrasound are performed. In addition, secretions and punctate are analyzed for the presence of atypical cells, and blood tests for hormones are performed.

Research is carried out when the swelling of the gland decreases, that is, in the first half of the menstrual cycle.

Hormonal disorders

The causes of hormonal disorders that can provoke the development of the disease are:

• Gynecological diseases: diseases of the ovaries of various nature, in which there is a decrease in hormonal synthetic function.
• Abortions performed even in the early stages of pregnancy represent a severe hormonal disruption for the entire endocrine system of a woman. And the recovery process does not always go smoothly. Often there is a failure of adaptation and various unpleasant consequences.
• Pregnancy and childbirth place a huge burden on the female body. The more difficult the birth, the greater the amount of hormones produced in the woman’s body, the more difficult it is for her to recover. And the older the woman in labor becomes, the greater the risk of developing disorders. The risk of developing mastopathy decreases markedly if a woman gives birth to children between the ages of 19 and 25.
• Refusal of breastfeeding. If a woman refuses to breastfeed, she risks developing problems with the mammary glands in the future. It is much more beneficial for the female body to fulfill the function inherent in nature - feeding the baby.

Endocrine diseases

It is known that the endocrine system, along with the nervous system, performs an integrating function in the body. Endocrine diseases, diseases of higher regulatory centers (hypothalamus and pituitary gland) lead to hormonal imbalance - for example, obesity, thyroid diseases.

Other factors

Among the factors that may contribute to the development of mastopathy are the following:

• Hereditary factors.
• Bad habits: smoking, alcohol abuse.
• Breast injuries. Impacts and compression of the mammary glands can lead to the development of the disease in the future.
• Liver disorders. The liver metabolizes many hormones and biologically active substances. Therefore, disruptions in its functioning can cause “problems” in the hormonal system.
• Sexual dissatisfaction.
• Psycho-emotional stress and constant overwork can unnoticeably lead to serious illnesses.

Diagnosis of mastopathy

Mammography

Mammography is an X-ray image of the mammary glands. It is performed on mammography machines or special attachments to X-ray machines that provide high quality images in frontal and lateral projections.

The sensitivity of the method is 96-98%. It is a leading method for diagnosing breast diseases and is widely used as a screening tool for breast cancer.

Mammography is performed in the first phase of the menstrual cycle (before day 12). If we are talking about suspected breast cancer, the study is carried out regardless of the day of the cycle.

All women aged 35 to 40 years are recommended to undergo this examination.

Depending on known risk factors, women aged 40–50 years should undergo mammograms annually or every two years, and those over 50 years old should undergo mammograms annually. For women at risk, annual screening is recommended.

Ductography (or galactography) is a method of x-ray examination with the introduction of a contrast agent into the milk ducts. Indications for examination are bloody, less often serous, discharge from the nipple.

Ultrasound of the mammary glands is also performed in the first phase of the menstrual cycle (before the 12th day, with the exception of suspected breast cancer, when ultrasound is performed regardless of the day of the cycle). It is a more sensitive method for young women, in whose mammary glands denser connective tissue predominates.

Pneumocystography is indicated in the presence of mammary gland cysts. The cyst is punctured and aspirated (the contents are sucked out), after which the cyst cavity is filled with gas and photographs are taken in frontal and lateral projections. The injected gas dissolves on its own within 7-10 days. Often, after aspiration of the contents, the cyst is cured.

Cytological examination. Material for cytological examination is obtained by taking a smear - an imprint isolated from the nipple of the mammary gland during a puncture-aspiration biopsy.

A puncture is indicated to establish a final diagnosis for lumps in the mammary gland of unknown origin; to confirm the diagnosis and clarify the structure of the tumor when a diagnosis of cancer has been established; to determine the degree of morphological changes in the tumor after radiation or chemotherapy treatment.

Sectoral resection (removal of an area of ​​the mammary gland with a suspicious tumor) is used to establish a final diagnosis in doubtful cases, as well as as a method of treating nodular benign formations in the mammary glands (fibroadenoma, nodular forms of mastopathy, intraductal papilloma).

Additional research methods are not widely used in the diagnosis of breast cancer and are of an auxiliary nature. These include:

• Thermography – recording skin temperature on photographic film; The temperature above benign and malignant neoplasms is higher than above healthy tissue.

CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) are quite expensive studies for widespread use in clinical practice for diagnosing breast cancer; can be used to detect distant metastases. For the same purpose, the radioisotope scanning method can be used.

NB! Along with targeted screening carried out by medical professionals, women's self-examination of the mammary glands is of great importance.

Treatment of mastopathy

Treatment of mastopathy

Patients who did not complain of discomfort in the mammary glands and in whom the disease itself was discovered by chance, as a concomitant pathology, usually do not require treatment. At the first suspicion of the disease, they are prescribed a comprehensive examination (mammography, ultrasound, diagnostic puncture) with subsequent observation during a control visit to a gynecologist or mammologist once a year.

In such a situation, as well as in the presence of moderately severe cyclic mastalgia (pain during engorgement of the mammary glands several days before the onset of menstrual bleeding), if formations in the mammary glands are not detected upon palpation, it is sufficient to monitor the development of the disease in order to exclude a malignant process.

Patients who have a cyclic moderate or constant form of engorgement combined with breast tenderness and diffuse cystic fibrosis changes in the tissues of the glands are prescribed treatment, which begins with a special health-improving diet and correction of hormonal imbalance. Most often, this course of the disease is characteristic of young women who do not have other health problems.

If a woman complains of severe pain in the mammary gland of a constant or cyclical nature, and palpation reveals changes in the structure of the mammary gland, which are combined with induced or spontaneous discharge from the mammary glands, then this condition should be corrected using modern treatment methods.

There is no specific treatment method for fibrocystic mastopathy, since in each specific case there are various causative factors that require correction first:

The choice of existing treatment methods is carried out by a qualified specialist. If a malignant process is suspected, the patient is immediately sent under the supervision of an oncologist.

Treatment of mastopathy with hormonal drugs

Drug correction of hormonal levels should only be prescribed by a doctor after receiving the results of a blood test for hormones. Endocrine regulation of the endocrine glands is carried out from certain centers of the brain: the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. Hormones are produced there that suppress or stimulate the production of all hormones according to the feedback principle, including female sex hormones. Therefore, intervention in the hormonal process can be carried out at several levels.

All hormonal drugs that are included in programs for the treatment of mastopathy of the mammary gland are divided into:

• antiestrogens (toremifene, tamoxifen) are drugs that suppress female sex hormones of the 1st half of the menstrual cycle; estrogens that promote the proliferation of mammary gland tissue;
• androgens (danazol) - drugs based on male sex hormones - suppress the synthesis of gonadotropic hormones of the pituitary gland;
• gestagens (medroxyprogesterone acetate - MPA) - drugs based on progesterone, the hormone of the 11th half of the menstrual cycle, sometimes hormonal contraceptives containing large dosages of gestagens and small dosages of estrogens are used in treatment;
• medications to suppress the synthesis of prolactin (bromocriptine), a pituitary hormone that stimulates milk synthesis; sometimes prolactin is the cause of mastopathy of the mammary glands;
• analogues of LHRF (zoladex), or the Riesling hormone of the hypothalamus, which controls the synthesis of luteinizing hormone by the pituitary gland; this hormone is responsible for the maturation of the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone, at the site of the burst follicle after the release of the egg.

Attention: self-treatment with hormonal drugs is strictly contraindicated.

Surgical treatment of mastopathy

As a rule, severe nodular mastopathy, when one or more clearly defined nodes are palpated in the mammary gland, requires surgical treatment. As nodes are detected, they are excised, followed by histological examination. Nodular mastopathy can be treated with conservative methods only in the initial stages, when the formation does not cause significant discomfort and pain. Surgical correction is performed extremely rarely and in very severe cases.

Treatment of mastopathy with folk remedies

When treating a disease with herbal medicine, herbs and plant products should be included in medicinal preparations, which help normalize metabolism and eliminate harmful metabolites, strengthening the body's defenses. This can include choleretic, diuretic, sedative and restorative agents: dandelion, calendula, burdock root, nettle, black currant, rose hips, St. John's wort, immortelle motherwort, angelica, birch buds, valerian root, corn silk. But before that, you should study all the indications and contraindications and follow the recipe exactly.

Prevention of mastopathy

Prevention of mastopathy consists of a healthy lifestyle, compliance with hygiene rules and periodic preventive examinations.

Healthy lifestyle

Women should ensure that there are no injuries to the mammary gland, lead an active lifestyle, eat nutritiously, consuming enough iodine (iodized salt, seafood), vitamins and microelements, get enough sleep, rest, and avoid stress in order to strengthen the body's defenses.

Choosing a bra

Wearing a bra is an important point in the prevention of breast diseases. Women with large, drooping breasts should choose bras especially carefully. Incorrect selection of shape and size can lead to excessive stress on certain muscles and ligaments, as well as deformation of the mammary gland.

Breast examination

Every woman should take care of her health and conduct a preventive examination of the mammary gland at least once a month: determine the shape, symmetry, size, palpate the mammary glands with light movements for lumps.

The older a woman gets, the more often she should undergo preventive examinations by a mammologist. If necessary, the doctor prescribes additional tests and determines the frequency of visits for a particular patient.

Drug prophylaxis and phytoprophylaxis

Drug prevention of the disease is most often prescribed in the case of cyclic mastopathy, which manifests itself as painful engorgement of the mammary gland several days before the onset of menstruation.

In order to relieve swelling, which is the cause of pain, herbs that have a diuretic effect (birch buds, corn silk, lingonberry leaves, etc.) are prescribed. In order to improve blood supply, which is manifested by impaired venous outflow, vitamins C and P are usually prescribed as part of the vitamin preparation “Ascorutin” or berries and fruits rich in these vitamins (black currants, chokeberries, citrus fruits, cherries, rose hips, raspberries).

Since the mammary gland is sensitive to neurohormonal imbalance, in case of chronic stress and nervous system disorders, sedative herbal remedies (sedative collection, motherwort tincture, valerian, peony tincture) or mild sedative medications should be used.

Should mastopathy be treated before pregnancy?

Indeed, in many cases, pregnancy and lactation relieve a woman of fibrocystic mastopathy. But, unfortunately, this does not always happen.

Often this diagnosis accompanies other serious disorders and diseases that do not go away on their own even after pregnancy and childbirth:

If such diseases are not treated, or if they have a severe, long-term course, then there is no hope that pregnancy will help cope with them. However, many experts believe that childbirth and pregnancy can prevent mastopathy and breast cancer.

The hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy cause intensive renewal of epithelial cells and promote the body's production of antibodies that protect against atypical cancer cells and infectious diseases.

But it all depends on each specific situation. If a woman is going to become a mother after thirty years, then the effect of hormonal load may be the opposite - the risk of developing mastopathy only increases. You should not hope that due to a hormonal surge, a benign tumor will resolve and not become malignant. It is better to take care of your health and cure mastopathy before pregnancy. In some cases, it is worth treating the disease before a planned pregnancy or immediately after childbirth. In extreme cases, modern medicine performs surgical treatment of mastopathy even during gestation.

If a woman for some reason refuses surgical treatment, then she needs to tune in to a quarterly control ultrasound examination.

Mastopathy and breastfeeding

It is also necessary to note the importance of breastfeeding after childbirth, since the pursuit of beauty and refusal to breastfeed can lead a woman to the surgeon’s office. Experts say that the risk of developing mastopathy increases if lactation stops earlier than three months after birth.

For many patients, the diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis means the beginning of a complex fight against the disease, which requires enormous effort.

How dangerous is this disease, is it true that no effective cure has been invented for it, and what is the life expectancy for this disease - these are the questions that concern the patient in the first place.

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Life expectancy at different stages of the disease

Pulmonary fibrosis has several stages and forms of progression, which directly affect the prognosis of the disease, quality and life expectancy. Doctors tend to divide the disease into early and late stages, in which the symptoms differ in intensity.

• The early stage is characterized by a slight deterioration in the person’s general well-being. Most often, respiratory failure of the first or second degree is diagnosed, the patient complains of shortness of breath, prolonged weakness and apathy, night sweats, and joint pain in the morning. Laboratory tests show slight changes in the composition of the blood, and changes are clearly visible on x-rays of the lungs.
• The late stage is manifested by severe, prolonged shortness of breath, increased respiratory failure to the third or fourth degree. The skin becomes blue and the mucous membranes acquire a bluish-ash color. Changes in the shape of the fingers increase, the nails become convex, the fingers are shaped like drumsticks.

Fibrosis, depending on the course and duration of the disease, is divided into chronic and acute.

• The acute type of the disease develops quickly, complicated by hypoxemic coma and acute respiratory failure, which lead to death;
• the chronic form has a slow course, gradually reducing the duration of activity. This form of the disease is divided into: aggressive, focal, slowly progressive and persistent.

The increase in symptoms in the aggressive type of chronic pulmonary fibrosis occurs much more slowly than in the acute form of the disease. Persistent chronic fibrosis is characterized by a gradual, prolonged increase in the intensity of symptoms. The most gradual development of the disease is observed with slowly progressive chronic fibrosis.

In what cases is an unfavorable outcome possible?

• The acute form is relatively rare, occurring in only twenty percent of cases. It is characterized by a sudden onset with rapidly increasing symptoms. The degrees of respiratory failure quickly replace each other, the patient suffers from severe shortness of breath. Acute progressive fibrosis practically does not respond to conservative therapy methods; the patient dies after a couple of months.
• Chronic fibrosis of an aggressive form sharply reduces the duration of necessary movements and leads the patient to death within a year, with conservative treatment. Shortness of breath and heart failure aggravate the patient's condition, since the symmetrical proliferation of fibrous tissue in the lungs cannot be controlled by the administration of drugs.

Chronic persistent pulmonary fibrosis allows a patient with a similar diagnosis to live no more than three to five years.

Surgical treatment and lung transplantation for this pathology in half of the cases gives the patient a chance to continue living. Statistics show that timely surgery helps prolong the duration of activity by approximately five years.

Loss of body weight and low-grade fever indicate serious problems in the lungs. For timely organization of therapeutic activities, find out how early treatment is carried out.

Working in an industrial environment with constantly polluted air can lead to the development of silicosis. about measures to prevent this disease.

In what cases is a favorable outcome possible?

A slowly progressive chronic disease is characterized by a fairly smooth, long-term development of the disease. The patient, with adequate treatment and the absence of concomitant pathologies of the cardiovascular system, can live ten years or more.

Doctors can give a favorable prognosis when diagnosing focal fibrosis in a patient. If the disease does not progress, then symptoms that worsen the quality and duration of life and lead to the death of the patient are not observed.

How to improve your condition and life prognosis

Therapeutic measures in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis are aimed at restoring normal breathing and gas exchange, stopping the pathological process of proliferation of fibrous formations and stabilizing disorders associated with the respiratory system. Methods are divided into:

• Drug therapy;
• non-drug therapy;
• rehabilitation measures;
• surgery.

The main goal of drug therapy is to reduce the formation of growths in the lungs and increase life expectancy. The cessation of the pathological process gives hope to patients, since concomitant therapy for disorders of the heart and respiratory system has only an auxiliary effect.

Since the drugs used to treat fibrosis have a negative effect on the body, reducing immunity, patients are prescribed an annual influenza vaccination, and it is also recommended to administer the pneumococcal vaccine once every five years. The treatment is long-term and carried out under the mandatory regular supervision of a doctor.

Non-drug treatment includes oxygen therapy, which is carried out both in a hospital setting and in outpatient treatment. Inhaling oxygen allows you to normalize gas exchange, reduce shortness of breath and allow you to increase physical activity. As prescribed by the doctor, plasmaphoresis and hemosorption are performed.

Rehabilitation measures are needed to prevent metabolic disorders associated with the disease. The following help improve the quality and length of life:

• Physical therapy, walking and jogging in the fresh air;
• sleeping in the fresh air is especially recommended for pulmonary fibrosis, as is staying in nature;
• – one of the powerful restorative agents for pulmonary diseases;
• high-quality, nutritious nutrition, excluding the use of products that contain preservatives and chemicals. The body must be supported, nutrition should be gentle, light, high in calories and rich in vitamins;
• taking various vitamin complexes recommended by your doctor.

Unfortunately, this is a serious disease that in most cases leads to the death of the patient. But compliance with medical recommendations, the desire to stop the disease, the desire to increase life expectancy, become the factors that help a person in the fight against a serious illness.

The video shows a set of 13 breathing exercises.

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