Fibrocystic Breast

Cystic Breast Disease

Fibrocystic breast breast disease breast care clinic in Patras ioannis haveles mammologist breast surgeon — Fibrocystic changes are not only cysts. But it is one of the most common manifestations of fibrocystic breast

Look at your mammogram or ultrasound consultation. There are many chances that it will say there that you have “fibrocystic breast changes”, “fibrocystic breast” or “fibrocystic breast disease picture”. So is fibrocystic breast a disease? Is it a deviation from normal? Do fibrocystic breasts need any special monitoring? Do fibrocystic changes require any treatment? Breast Surgeon – Breast Surgeon – Mastologist of the Breast Care Clinic of Patras Ioannis Haveles will answer some of your questions.

Is fibrocystic breast a disease?

Previously the term “fibrocystic breast disease” was referred to. But it is now clear: Fibrocystic breast is not a disease. It is a different kind of otherwise normal breast. They are different breasts on palpation, on ultrasound and on mammography. Many women don’t really realize it. Other women have symptoms, usually before menstruation and up to menopause. The full range of manifestations of fibrocystic breasts include the appearance of breast cysts and fibroadenomas. Usually fibrocystic lesions do not show unsightly features such as atypia or hyperplasia. However, this is something that can only be diagnosed by biopsy of breast lumps. Here you can see a video of the ultrasound-guided breast biopsy procedure. as performed at the Patras Breast Care Clinic by Breast Surgeon Ioannis G. Haveles.

Do I have fibrocystic breasts?

You probably have fibrocystic breasts if:

You have a lot of pain in your breasts before your period

Your breasts swell significantly before your period

You have various “bumps” on your breasts that make self-examination difficult
The “bumps” get bigger during your period
The changes occur relatively symmetrically in both breasts
You have a discharge of yellowish fluid from the nipple, with or without pressure
Have cysts been found in your breast in previous tests
Have a history of fibroadenomas

However, the diagnosis of fibrocystic breasts will be made by clinical examination by a mammologist, mammography and ultrasound

Fibrocystic breast on breast ultrasound breast care clinic of Patras Ioannis Haveles Mastologist Breast Surgeon — Fibrocystic breast with eumetous fibroadenoma, on breast ultrasound

On mammography, fibrocystic breast appears as a very dense gland, making it difficult to read and diagnose. For more information see the Breast Care Clinic’s page on digital mammography and tomosynthesis.

Dense Fibrocystic Breast in Mammography Breast Care Clinic of Patras Ioannis Haveles Mastologist Breast Surgeon — Mammography of extremely dense fibrocystic breast

What should I do if I have fibrocystic breasts?

Most women don’t need anything more than the standard breast prevention. This includes mastology, self-examination and screening radiography.
Women with multiple cysts are also at no risk. Perhaps a large breast cyst that is causing symptoms may need surgery by a breast surgeon.
When fibrocystic breasts manifest with fibroadenomas, that’s when things change. Fibroadenomas in the breast require diagnosis, often with biopsy. Occasionally, for reasons we discuss on the relevant page, it is also appropriate to remove them surgically. They may need more frequent monitoring with ultrasound.
When we apply proper methods of investigation, with Triple Breast Check and ultrasound-guided biopsies, we will be privileged to identify more rare and complex conditions, hyperplasia and atypia in fibrocystic breast. These conditions may even represent precancerous lesions that will often require surgery.