Which term describes breast changes with multiple cysts and fibrous tissue, often cyclic?

Which term describes breast changes with multiple cysts and fibrous tissue, often cyclic?

• A. Fibrocystic disease
• B. Mastitis
• C. Mucinous cystadenoma
• D. Duct ectasia

Answer: (A)

Breast changes described as having multiple cysts and fibrous tissue that occur cyclically are classic for fibrocystic changes in the breast. This benign condition is influenced by hormones during the reproductive years, leading to the formation of cysts and increased fibrous tissue that make the breast feel lumpy and tender, with symptoms often worsening around the menstrual cycle. This fits best because the combination of multiple cysts and fibrous tissue, along with cyclic fluctuations in symptoms, is its hallmark. In contrast, mastitis is an infection with signs like redness, warmth, fever, and systemic symptoms; a mucinous cystadenoma is an ovarian tumor and not a breast condition; duct ectasia involves dilation of ducts, typically in perimenopausal or postmenopausal women, and may present with nipple discharge rather than cyclic changes.

Breast changes described as having multiple cysts and fibrous tissue that occur cyclically are classic for fibrocystic changes in the breast. This benign condition is influenced by hormones during the reproductive years, leading to the formation of cysts and increased fibrous tissue that make the breast feel lumpy and tender, with symptoms often worsening around the menstrual cycle.

This fits best because the combination of multiple cysts and fibrous tissue, along with cyclic fluctuations in symptoms, is its hallmark. In contrast, mastitis is an infection with signs like redness, warmth, fever, and systemic symptoms; a mucinous cystadenoma is an ovarian tumor and not a breast condition; duct ectasia involves dilation of ducts, typically in perimenopausal or postmenopausal women, and may present with nipple discharge rather than cyclic changes.