Fibrocystic breast changes is a condition of the breasts where there may be pain, breast cysts, and breast masses. The breasts may be described as "lumpy" or "doughy". Symptoms may worsen during certain parts of the menstrual cycle due to hormonal stimulation. These are normal breast changes, not associated with cancer.Risk factors include an early age at first menstrual period and either having children at a late age or not at all. It is not a disease but represents normal breast changes. Diagnosis involves ruling out breast cancer. Fibrocystic changes include fibroadenomas, fibrosis, and papillomas of the breast.Management may involve education about the condition, using a well fitting bra, and pain medication, if needed. Occasionally danazol or tamoxifen may be used for pain. It is estimated that up to 60% of women are affected. Most commonly between the ages of 30 and 50 years. Signs and symptoms
The changes in fibrocystic breast disease are characterised by the appearance of fibrous tissue and a lumpy, cobblestone texture in the breasts. These lumps are smooth with well defined edges, and free-moving regarding adjacent structures. These lumps can sometimes be obscured by irregularities in the breast associated with the condition. Theyre often found in the upper, outer sections of the breast (nearest to the armpit), but can be found throughout the breast. Women with fibrocystic changes may experience a persistent or intermittent aching or breast tenderness related to periodic swelling. Breasts and nipples may also be tender or itchy.
The strength of the family history of breast cancer, available for 4808 women, was a risk factor that was independent of histologic findings. No increased risk was found among women with no family history and nonproliferative findings. In the first 10 years after the initial biopsy, an excess of cancers occurred in the same breast, especially in women with atypia." It is not well understood whether the lesions are precursors of breast cancer or only an indication of increased risk, for most types of lesions the chance of developing breast cancer is nearly the same in the affected and unaffected breast (side) indicating only coincidence of risk factors. For atypical lobular hyperplasia there is high incidence of ipsilateral breast cancers indicating a possible direct carcinogenetic link. Epidemiology
The estimated prevalence of fibrocystic breast changes in women over their lifetime vary widely in the literature, ranging from 30 to 60% over about 50 to 60% to about 60 to 75% of all women.The condition is most common among women between 30 and 50 years of age. Terminology
In ICD-10 the condition is called diffuse cystic mastopathy, or, if there is epithelial proliferation, fibrosclerosis of breast. Other names for this condition include chronic cystic mastitis, fibrocystic mastopathy  and mammary dysplasia. The condition has also been named after several people (see eponyms below). Since it is a very common disorder, some authors have argued that it should not be termed a "disease", whereas others feel that it meets the criteria for a disease.