Can ultrasonography detect lobular hyperplasia?

Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
Updated on September 12, 2024
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Lobular hyperplasia can be detected by ultrasound, appearing as heterogeneous hypoechoic areas on the ultrasound, and if cysts form, they appear as anechoic areas. The exact cause of lobular hyperplasia in the mammary glands is not very clear. It is currently believed to be related to elevated levels of estrogen caused by endocrine disorders, external environmental factors, work and living conditions, interpersonal relationships, and various other stressors that affect the psychological aspects, all of which can change the body’s internal environment. This in turn affects the function of the endocrine system, causing abnormal secretion of one or several hormones, ultimately disrupting the balance of hormone levels in the body, leading to increased estrogen, and causing mammary tissue hyperplasia.

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Written by Lin Yang
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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.

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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.

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Breast Surgery
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Does lobular hyperplasia usually cause pain?

The primary manifestation of mammary gland hyperplasia is cyclical swelling and pain in the breast, often occurring or worsening before menstruation and alleviating or disappearing after menstruation. Mild cases are noteworthy for the patient, while severe cases can affect daily life and work. However, some patients do not exhibit obvious cyclical changes; others may experience unilateral or bilateral breast swelling and pain or needle-like pain. The pain may extend to the shoulder, upper limbs, or shoulder-back area. A few patients may have nipple discharge. During physical examinations, nodular lumps of varying sizes, which are tough but not hard, can be felt in one or both breasts. Sometimes, these lumps are tender to touch, and their boundaries with surrounding tissues are unclear, but they do not adhere to the skin or chest muscles.

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Is lobular hyperplasia grade II severe?

Second-degree mammary lobular hyperplasia refers to simple mammary hyperplasia, which is not severe and has relatively mild symptoms or conditions. Most cases do not require treatment, but regular follow-up is necessary. For cases with more pronounced symptoms, we can use traditional Chinese medicine, which alleviates pain through methods such as soothing the liver and regulating qi, as well as harmonizing the thoroughfare and conception vessels. Vitamins can also be used to support treatment, with Vitamin B, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E improving liver function, regulating metabolic hormones, and enhancing autonomic nerve functions, serving as auxiliary medication for this condition. Vitamin E also helps relieve pain. Regular follow-up examinations with ultrasound and mammography are recommended. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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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.