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Fibrocystic breasts

Last reviewed: 2 Oct 2024
Last updated: 17 Nov 2023

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • mastalgia
  • diffuse symmetric lumpiness through both breasts
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • age 30 to 50 years
  • nipple discharge
  • palpable breast mass
Full details

Risk factors

  • late-onset menopause
  • later age at first childbirth
  • nulliparity
  • obesity
  • estrogen replacement therapy
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • mammography
  • breast ultrasound
Full details

Tests to consider

  • cyst aspiration
  • breast biopsy
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ONGOING

mastalgia

nipple discharge

Contributors

Authors

Sonia Sugg, MD

Professor of Surgery

Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Iowa City

IA

Disclosures

SS declares that she has no competing interests.

Ingrid Lizarraga, MBBS, FACS

Clinical Associate Professor

Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Iowa City

IA

Disclosures

IL declares that she has no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

Dr Sonia Sugg and Dr Ingrid Lizarraga would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Sophia Fu, Dr Sarah E. Colwick, Dr Hernan I. Vargas, Dr Carol Scott-Connor, Dr Anjali Thawani, and Dr Jesse Dirksen, the previous contributors to this topic. SEC, HIV, CSC, AT and JD declare that they have no competing interests.

Disclosures

SF, SEC, HIV, CSC, AT, and JD declared that they had no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Fred Dirbas, MD

Assistant Professor of Surgical Oncology

Stanford University

Stanford

CA

Disclosures

FD declares that he has no competing interests.

Justin Stebbing, MA, MRCP, MRCPath, PhD

Consultant Medical Oncologist/Senior Lecturer

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

Charing Cross Hospital

London

UK

Disclosures

JS declares that he has no competing interests.

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