Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Fibrocystic breasts are characterized by lumpiness and usually discomfort in
one or both breasts. The lumpiness is due to small breast masses or breast
cysts. The condition is very common and benign, meaning that
fibrocystic breasts are not malignant (cancerous). Fibrocystic breast
disease (FBD), now referred to as fibrocystic changes or fibrocystic breast condition,
is the most common cause of "lumpy breasts" in women and affects more than 60%
of women. The condition primarily affects women between the ages of 30 and 50,
and tends to become less of a problem after
menopause.
The diagnosis of fibrocystic breasts is complicated by the fact that the
condition can vary widely in its severity. In some women, the symptoms of
fibrocystic breast condition can be very mild with minimal
breast tenderness or
pain. The symptoms can also be limited in time, usually occurring only premenstrually. It may not even be possible to feel any lumps when the breasts
are examined by the woman herself or by her doctor. In other women with
fibrocystic breasts, the painful breasts and tenderness are constant, and many lumpy or
nodular areas can be felt throughout both breasts.
Picture of the anatomy of the breast
Is there a difference between fibrocystic breast condition and fibrocystic breast
disease?
No. In the past, fibrocystic breast condition was often called fibrocystic
breast disease. However, it is not a disease, but a condition. Most women tend
to have some lumpiness in their breasts. Therefore, it is now being more
appropriately termed fibrocystic breast condition. The abbreviation is FCC (an
acronym derived from FibroCystic breast Condition).
Other names that have been applied to fibrocystic breast condition include
mammary dysplasia, chronic cystic mastitis, diffuse cystic mastopathy, and
benign breast disease (a term that includes other benign breast disorders,
including infections).
Cysts are saclike structures that can occur throughout the body and usually contain a semisolid, liquid, or gaseous substance. Infections, tumors, genetic conditions, chronic inflammatory conditions, and wear and tear can cause cysts. Though some cysts may be palpable, others may not produce any symptoms. Treatment depends upon the location and cause of the cyst.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women in the U.S. Symptoms include a lump in the breast or underarm area, nipple pain, change in breast size or shape, an inverted nipple, nipple discharge, and breast skin changes. Treatment may involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy, hormone therapy, or surgery.
The breast generally refers to the chest, however, more specifically, to the mammary gland. The mammary gland is a milk producing gland comprised largely of fat. Within the mammary gland is a complex network of branching ducts. The ducts exit from sac-like structures called lobules, which can produce milk in females. The darkened area around the nipple is called the areola. Common medical concerns in regard to the breast include breast lumps, breast cysts, breast cancer, and breast infections.
Women's health is an important topic area to guide a woman through the stages of her life, as well as knowing the conditions and diseases that may occur. Educating yourself so that the transitions into different phases of life is key to a healthy, happy, and productive life.
Lifestyle changes, a healthy antioxidant-rich diet, exercise, and weight reduction can help reduce a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. It's important to be aware of how risk factors such as family history, lifestyle factors, breast conditions, radiation therapy, and hormonal factors may influence your chances of developing breast cancer. Mammography and breast self-examinations are crucial steps in breast cancer prevention.
A mammogram is an X-ray test that produces an image of the inner breast tissue on film. This technique, called mammography, is used to visualize normal and abnormal structures within the breasts. Mammography, therefore, can help in identifying cysts, calcifications, and tumors within the breast. It is currently the most efficient screening method to detect early breast cancer. Breast self-examination (BSE) on a monthly basis and examination by a doctor are still important, but physical examinations typically find breast cancers when they are much larger than those detected by mammography.
Mammography can be used to discover a small cancer in a curable stage; however, it is not foolproof. Depending a woman's age and other factors, approximately ten to fifteen percent of breast cancers are not identified by mammography, and these cancers are often found by physical examination. It is essenti...
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