According to medical studies, Mastopathy occurs in 30-60% of all the women. Thus, it is one of the most widespread pathologic conditions in women.
National and foreign literature still has no unified point of view with regard to the term for this disease.
- In that way, WHO (World Health Organization) in 1984 has proposed the term “fibrocystic breast disease”, characterized by the presence of tissue proliferative and regressive changes with abnormal epithelial/connective components ratio.
- Foreign specialists still use the term “benign breast pathology”.
- In Russian medicine the following terms are widespread: fibrosing adenosis or dyshormonal breast hyperplasia.
All the abovementioned terms represent the name of the actual disease in women – Mastopathy. During the whole life practically every woman faces various breast problems, the common reason of which is the Mastopathy, characterized by pathologic growth of breast tissues, pain sensations and abnormal secretion (nipple discharge).
Mastopathy – reasons of developing and progression
The main reason of developing and progression of the disease, as supposed by specialists, is the hormonal disbalance within the woman’s organism. The reasons for progesterone deficiency and estrogen increase (which are the promoting factors for hyperestrogenism) may include various events in the life of a woman – from gynecological diseases to genetic predisposition (see Mastopathy – reasons).
Specialists differentiate diffuse and nodular forms of Mastopathy. Connective tissue growth within the breast may promote the development of miliary nodules and small size bundles (diffuse Mastopathy with the predominance of fibrous, cystous or glandular component, as well as the mixed form of Mastopathy – fibrocystic breast disease), further findings include formation of densified nodes with the size of (palpatory determined) of a peanut to walnut (nodular Mastopathy).
Diagnostics of Mastopathy
It is essential to understand that any breast pathology may become the predisposing factor for breast cancer development.For good reason specialists suggests women of age above 40 y/o to pay particular attention on their health. Besides self-diagnostics, complet breast examination should be carried out (see Diagnostics of Mastopathy).