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Breast lobular hyperplasia
What should I do about lobular hyperplasia of the breast?
For cases with mild symptoms or less severe conditions, treatment is generally not necessary; regular follow-ups with breast ultrasound or mammography are sufficient. For those with pronounced symptoms, medication and symptomatic treatments can be given, as detailed below: Chinese herbal medicine can be used, treating breast hyperplasia through methods that soothe the liver, regulate qi, and harmonize the Chong. Endocrine treatments are also an option, though preferably avoided, but can be administered before menstruation for those who experience significant pain during the premenopausal period. Vitamin therapy, including vitamins B, C, and E, can improve liver function and regulate basal metabolism, as well as enhance the function of the autonomic nervous system, serving as supplementary medicine for this condition. Recently, vitamin E is also considered to have pain-relieving effects. For individuals with a family history of breast cancer, lesions confined to a part of the breast, or those who still have significant lumps after menstruation, it is recommended to conduct a puncture biopsy and consider surgical treatment if necessary.
Early symptoms of mammary gland hyperplasia
The early symptoms of mammary gland hyperplasia are cyclic swelling pain, which worsens before menstruation and diminishes or disappears after menstruation, with these being the typical symptoms. During a physical examination, nodular lumps of varying sizes can be felt within the breast, which are firm but not hard, and sometimes tender to the touch. Ultrasonography may not show any lumps, or mammography may reveal a cotton-wool-like appearance, which can diagnose mammary gland hyperplasia. However, it is crucial to be cautious of the potential coexistence of mammary gland hyperplasia and breast cancer. On one hand, patients with significant hyperplasia should be closely followed up, advised to return to the hospital every two to three months for re-examination. On the other hand, for patients with significant hyperplastic lumps or unclear boundaries in the thickening type of mammary glands, a biopsy is recommended.
Is it normal to have ovulatory pain due to lobular hyperplasia?
Lobular hyperplasia causing pain during ovulation is normal. The main symptoms of breast hyperplasia are cyclical swelling and pain of the breasts, often appearing or worsening before menstruation and lessening or disappearing after menstruation. Generally, mild cases do not receive much attention from patients, but severe cases can affect daily life and work. Some patients do not show obvious cyclical changes, and symptoms can include unilateral or bilateral breast pain or cyclical changes, sharp pain, which can extend to the shoulder, upper limbs, or thoracic back area. A minority of patients may experience nipple discharge, which can be yellow-green, brown, or serous in color. The condition can persist for a long time, but symptoms usually disappear or decrease after menopause.
Can mild pain from lobular hyperplasia be ignored?
For mild pain associated with lobular hyperplasia, it may not require intervention but regular follow-up is needed. For more pronounced symptoms, symptomatic pharmaceutical treatment should be administered. Supporting the breasts with a bra, using traditional Chinese medicine to soothe the liver, regulate qi, and harmonize the Chong and Ren meridians may alleviate the pain. Endocrine treatment is another option, though generally avoided if possible. However, for severe pre-menopausal pain, taking vitamins such as B, C, and E before menstruation can help as they improve liver function, regulate hormone metabolism, and enhance autonomic nerve function. Vitamin E also helps alleviate pain.
The difference between breast cancer and lobular hyperplasia
The difference between breast cancer and lobular hyperplasia is as follows: Lobular hyperplasia primarily manifests as nodular lumps that can be felt within one or both breasts. These lumps vary in size, are tough but not hard, and sometimes tender to touch. The boundaries of the lumps with the surrounding breast tissue are not clear, but they are not adherent to the skin or chest muscles, sometimes presenting as areas of thickening with unclear boundaries. Breast cancer, on the other hand, appears as a solitary, painless lump that is hard as stone and can be round, oval-shaped, or irregular. It can grow large, has poor mobility, and can easily adhere to the skin and surrounding tissues. The growth of the cancerous lump is not related to the menstrual cycle or emotional changes, and it can grow rapidly in a short time. On a mammogram, breast cancer lumps may show tiny calcifications, abnormal vascular shadows, and spicules.
What to eat for mammary gland hyperplasia?
Breast hyperplasia, once diagnosed, requires dietary attention. Try to avoid consuming high-fat, greasy, spicy, and stimulating foods, as well as high-calorie foods. It is appropriate to eat more high-fiber and coarse-grain foods, and the patient's diet should include high protein, high fiber, and nutritionally rich foods, such as vegetables and fruits, with a reasonable combination of meals. Refrain from spicy, stimulating, greasy foods and primarily control emotions.
The difference between lobular hyperplasia of the breast and breast hyperplasia.
Breast lobular hyperplasia and breast hyperplasia are the same; they are both referred to as cystic hyperplasia of the breast, a common breast disease seen in women aged 25-50. Clinically, 50% of women exhibit changes associated with cystic breast hyperplasia. Its main characteristics are the proliferation of breast tissue components, manifesting as abnormalities in structure, quantity, and histology. In addition to the benign proliferation of breast fibrous tissue and epithelium accompanied by cyst formation, it may also coexist with the formation of fibroadenomas. However, the absolute risk of developing into breast cancer is extremely low, hence it is also termed cystic breast hyperplasia or breast dysplasia.
Symptoms of breast hyperplasia
Breast hyperplasia usually manifests as cyclical symptoms such as swelling, pain, and tenderness that often occur or worsen before menstruation and may decrease or disappear after menstruation. Minor cases might not be a concern for patients, but severe cases can affect daily life and work. Symptoms might include pain in one or both breasts, which can extend to the shoulders, upper limbs, or shoulder blades. Additionally, a small number of people might experience nipple discharge, which could be milky, clear, yellow-green, or brown in color.
What medicine should be taken for mammary gland hyperplasia?
Simple lobular hyperplasia of the breast does not require medication or other treatments, just pay attention to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and regularly check the lobular hyperplasia in both breasts at the hospital to monitor any changes in the condition. After menopause, as the body's estrogen levels decrease, the lobular hyperplasia will gradually improve. Just pay attention to a regular lifestyle, and there is no special dietary requirements compared to others. If the pain is unbearable and severely affects daily life, under the guidance of a doctor, you can take some traditional Chinese medicines that soothe the liver and regulate qi, invigorate blood and resolve stasis, or use estrogen receptor antagonists, which prevent the estrogen receptors from exerting their physiological effects, thereby relieving symptoms.
Will a bad mood make lobular hyperplasia worse?
Breast lobular hyperplasia can worsen with mood because it is related to elevated estrogen levels caused by endocrine disorders. External living conditions, work and life circumstances, interpersonal relationships, and various other stresses can cause neuropsychiatric factors, all of which can change the internal environment of the body. This, in turn, affects the function of the endocrine system, leading to abnormal secretion of one or several hormones. During the menstrual cycle, breast receptors and internal hormone levels change periodically. When the proportion of hormones in the body becomes unbalanced, an increase in estrogen levels and a decrease in progesterone secretion can lead to incomplete regression of breast hyperplasia after its increase, causing the exacerbation of breast hyperplasia.