Fibroglandular Tissue
Facts About Fibroglandular Tissue in Breasts
Fibroglandular tissue in breasts is a very common condition and is known as Fibrocystic Breast Disease. This disease is characterized by having fibroglandular tissue present in the breast. When this type of tissue is present in the breasts one or both of the breasts may be tender, and you may also feel lumps within the breast tissue.
It is common for women between the ages of 30 and 50 to have fibroglandular tissue present in the breast. The condition is most often benign and non cancerous. Over half of women will develop this breast condition, but it is less common after menopause.
A fibrocystic breast condition can be difficult to diagnose for several different reasons, including the fact that the condition varies greatly among different women. One woman may only have a mild problem with breast tenderness while another woman will have severe pain and lumps. Another variant with this condition is that the problem may only present itself before a menstruation period.
There are several different factors that can contribute to Fibrocystic Breast Disease, but the primary cause tends to be a woman’s natural hormonal cycles. Changes in hormones can increase the chance that the breasts will develop fibroglandular tissue, which is why there tends to be more women who have problems with this around their menstrual cycles. The hormones, estrogen and progesterone are the hormones that influence the beasts most, as they cause the cells to multiply and grow. Some additional hormones that could influence this condition include insulin, and thyroid hormones, as well as several others.
Diagnosis of Fibrocystic Breast Disease is very important. Although the condition is not cancer, it can mimic breast cancer. For this reason it is important to diagnosis this condition as soon as possible so that a malignant tumor can be ruled out.
There are a few different methods used to detect the presence of fibroglandular tissue. The first indicator is often breast pain, but there can be lumps present without the pain. These lumps or masses can be detected with a self-breast examination, as well as when the doctor performs a breast examination. Another method of detecting this condition is with a mammogram.
Unfortunately, if there is a lot of fibroglandular tissue present in the breast, a specialized breast ultrasound may be necessary for a proper diagnosis. In a small number of cases a biopsy may be necessary to completely rule out beast cancer if a specialist isn’t able to determine what the masses are with an ultrasound.
Once a woman has been diagnosed with this breast condition there are certain steps she will have to take. The first is that she will have to do regular breast exams; this is extremely important. It is also significant that she see her doctor for regular beast exams as well. Likely the doctor will have her following a schedule of imaging exams on a regular basis; this could be yearly, or every six months.
Treating Fibrocystic Breast Disease may involved treatment to relieve the pain that is present with this condition. This may include wearing a bra that provides extra support and taking medications such as an anti-inflammatory. Another option may be hormone therapy, which may reduce the symptoms of this condition. Hormone therapy isn’t for everyone so it is important that your doctor evaluate your condition to decide if you are a good candidate for this treatment.
The important thing to remember is that it is normal to have some fibroglandular tissue present in the breast and that likely this is not going to be a serious threat to your health. Whenever you find a lump in the breast tissue you should see your healthcare provider immediately.