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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you don't experience symptoms, or your symptoms are mild, no treatment is needed for fibrocystic breasts. Severe pain or large, painful cysts associated with fibrocystic breasts may warrant treatment.
Treatment options for breast cysts include:
- Fine-needle aspiration. Your doctor uses a hair-thin needle to drain the fluid from the cyst. Removing fluid confirms that the lump is a breast cyst and, in effect, removes it, relieving associated discomfort.
- Surgical excision. Rarely, surgery may be needed to remove a persistent cyst-like lump that doesn't resolve after repeated aspiration and careful monitoring.
Treatment options for breast pain include:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others).
- Oral contraceptives, which lower the levels of cycle-related hormones linked to fibrocystic breast changes.
- Danazol, a prescription medication that mimics a male sex hormone, relieves severe breast pain. But significant side effects — which include excess body hair and acne — limit its use.
References
- Non-cancerous breast conditions. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6X_Non_Cancerous_Breast_Conditions_59.asp. Accessed June 16, 2010.
- Giuliano AE, et al. Breast disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2010. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=8538. Accessed June 16, 2010.
- Valea FA, et al. Breast diseases: Diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant disease. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/206003627-2/0/1524/96.html?tocnode=53759192&fromURL=96.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-02951-3..50018-2_472. Accessed June 16, 2010.
- Miltenburg DM, et al. Benign breast disease. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America. 2008;35:285.
- Poggi MM, et al. The Breast. In: DeCherney AH, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment Obstetrics & Gynecology. 10th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2394211. Accessed June 16, 2010.
- Smith RL, et al. Evaluation and management of breast pain. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2004;79:353.
- Golshan M, et al. Breast pain. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 16, 2010.
- Pruthi S, et al. Vitamin E and evening primrose oil for management of cyclical mastalgia: A randomized pilot study. Alternative Medicine Reviews. 2010;15:59.
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