Symptoms of breast hyperplasia

Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
Updated on September 22, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Fan Hong Qiao
Breast Health Department
1min 16sec home-news-image

Is hyperplasia of the mammary glands serious?

Overall, breast hyperplasia is a benign disease and not severe, so there is no need for excessive anxiety. However, it should definitely not be taken lightly. Studies have found that about 2% to 3% of cases with breast hyperplasia may develop into cancer, and the rate of malignant transformation in cystic breast hyperplasia is 3 to 5 times higher than in other women. If you do not control factors that cause breast hyperplasia, such as endocrine disorders, high-fat diets, smoking, drinking, hypertension, and diabetes, then the breast ducts and epithelia being chronically stimulated by these factors could potentially become cancerous. The progression from breast hyperplasia to breast cancer is a lengthy process, undergoing four stages: hyperplasia → atypical hyperplasia (precancerous) → in situ carcinoma → invasive carcinoma. Therefore, breast hyperplasia should be taken very seriously, with efforts made for early examination, early detection, and early treatment. This is especially important for those with a family history of breast cancer or who belong to families with a high incidence of cancer.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
49sec home-news-image

Are breast hyperplasia and breast lumps the same thing?

Breast hyperplasia and breast lumps are different. Breast hyperplasia can be found in one or both breasts, where nodular lumps of varying sizes can be felt. These lumps are tough but not hard, sometimes causing a stabbing pain. The borders of the lumps are not distinctly separate from the surrounding breast tissue, but they are not adhered to the skin or the chest muscles. Sometimes, they manifest as areas of thickening with unclear boundaries. On the other hand, breast lumps generally occur as a single lump in one breast, are round or oval in shape, have clear boundaries, are movable, and the texture is generally firm. They might be multiple, but usually, there's no breast pain or only mild discomfort during menstruation. The size and nature of the breast lumps do not change with the menstrual cycle.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
39sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of mammary gland hyperplasia?

The primary symptoms of mammary gland hyperplasia are breast swelling and pain, which typically affect both sides but are often more pronounced on one side. Breast swelling and pain are noticeably worse before menstruation and ease after the period ends, then gradually cease until the pain reappears with the next menstrual cycle. The entire breast may feel diffusely nodular and tender to touch, with occasional lumps or increased breast pain, all related to the menstrual cycle. Additionally, mammary gland hyperplasia may also involve a small amount of nipple discharge, primarily white or brown in color.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
41sec home-news-image

Does breast hyperplasia hurt?

The main symptom of mammary gland hyperplasia is breast pain, which usually occurs in accordance with the menstrual cycle. There is significant breast pain before the period, and symptoms tend to lessen after the period. Generally, the pain is intermittent, diffuse, dull, or like needle pricks. There can also be shooting pain or hidden pain, and even some report pain as if being cut by a knife. Some of the pain is subjective, but it can also manifest as pain upon touch, or pain from friction caused by clothing during walking. There can be tenderness in the breasts, or increased pain in the upper limbs after physical exertion. The pain may occur in one breast or both.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Fan Hong Qiao
Breast Health Department
56sec home-news-image

How does Chinese medicine treat mammary gland hyperplasia?

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that hyperplasia of the mammary glands starts with liver depression, which then leads to blood stasis and phlegm coalescing into masses. The treatment should focus on soothing the liver and regulating qi, activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis, and softening the hard masses and dispersing the lumps. We will diagnose the patient based on their symptoms, pulse, and tongue coating, and conduct a detailed differentiation of syndromes. Different types of syndromes require different treatments. Specifically, we recommend visiting a hospital to see a professional TCM practitioner for proper syndrome differentiation and prescription of appropriate herbal formulas. Moreover, Chinese medicine has unique methods in treating mammary gland hyperplasia, and its effectiveness is quite notable in clinical practice.