A Review of Mastalgia in Patients with Fibrocystic Breast Changes and the Non-Surgical Treatment Options

ObjectivesThe objectives of this study are to review fibrocystic changes of the breast, their causal and associated factors and their correlation to mastalgia, and then to review the available treatment options for mastalgia (caused by fibrocystic changes) short of surgery.MethodsThe author reviews all the articles obtained from a PubMed research on mastalgia and fibrocystic changes of the breast, published in English over the last 14 years.ResultsFibrocystic changes of the breast are common and can be considered as a normal phase of breast development. These changes are sometimes asymptomatic; however, when painful, patients would seek medical advice. Lifestyle changes and the avoidance of certain dietary elements as well as the use of some non-pharmacological agents have shown some beneficiary effects. In severe cases, stronger pharmacological and hormonal agents are resorted to being more effective but are associated with greater side effects.ConclusionFibrocystic changes of the breast are common and should not be considered a disease. When painful, reassurance and non-pharmacological measures should be used first as a treatment. Stronger pharmacological and hormonal agents hold more serious side effects. Some of these remedies are supported by good clinical evidence, while others are not. The ideal treatment for mastalgia caused by fibrocystic changes is to be identified by sound recent randomized controlled clinical studies on simple remedies before being performed on stronger ones. Treatment should start with simple lifestyle changes and advance with a stepwise fashion to stronger remedies only in those where other means fail.