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.
A common indicator of fibrocystic breast condition is
breast pain or
discomfort, but women with fibrocystic breasts may also not have any symptoms.
If discomfort is present, the discomfort may include a dull, heavy pain in the
breasts, breast tenderness, nipple itching, and/or a feeling of fullness in the
breasts. These symptoms may be persistent or intermittent (coming and going),
especially appearing at the onset of each menstrual period and going away
immediately afterwards.
The primary method of diagnosing fibrocystic breast condition is physically
touching and feeling (palpation) the lumpy areas in the breast(s). These lumps
may be detected by a woman on self-examination or by her physician. This
lumpiness is most commonly found in the upper outer quadrant of the breast. (The
breast is conventionally divided into quadrants or quarters. The upper outer
quadrant is the one closest to the armpit.) The lumps in fibrocystic breast
condition are typically mobile (they are not anchored to overlying or underlying
tissue). They usually feel rounded, have smooth borders, and may feel rubbery or
somewhat changeable in shape. Sometimes, the fibrocystic areas may feel
irregular, ridge-like, or like tiny beads. These characteristics all vary from
one woman to another.
Breasts that are extremely fibrocystic can be very difficult to examine by
palpation (touching and feeling). Even mammograms of such extremely fibrocystic
breasts may be difficult to interpret. In these cases, specialized breast
ultrasound exams and other tests can be very helpful. It may sometimes be
necessary to obtain a sample (biopsy) of breast tissue with a needle or by
surgery in order to make an accurate diagnosis and differentiate between
fibrocystic breast condition and breast cancer.
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.
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