A study on clinical profile and management of mastalgia

Abstract

Background: The aim of the present study is to observe the clinical profile and management of mastalgia. The objectives of the present study were to assess the clinical profile of breast diseases causing mastalgia, to study the response of mastalgia to the following three drugs: Danazol, Bromocriptine, topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (topical diclofenac gel).Methods: It was prospective type of study. Inclusion criteria: Patients of age group 15-50 years, all patients suspected or diagnosed for breast pathology with mastalgia. Exclusion criteria: immune-compromised patients, all patients undergoing surgical removal of breast lump, pregnant females. Evaluation of pain was done using visual analog scale, prior to giving the treatment and after giving the treatment each week for the first month and thereafter monthly for the next 6 months. Results: The clinical profile of mastalgia was as follows: fibroadenosis accounting for 37 (46.25%), followed by 10 (12.5%) cases of fibroadenoma, 08 (10%) cases of mastitis, 06 (7.5%) cases of breast abscess, 03 (3.75%) cases of duct ectasia, 02 (2.50%) cases of galactocoele, 02 (2.50%) cases of breast carcinoma and 12 (15%) cases of non-specific extra-mammary pathology. Patient’s response rate to different drugs included in the study was: 64.8% to danazol, 56.9% to bromocriptine and 76.01% to topical diclofenac gel.Conclusions: Cyclical mastalgia accounted for more proportion of patients than non-cyclical mastalgia. Common causes of mastalgia being fibroadenosis, followed by fibroadenoma, mastitis, breast abscess, duct ectasia, galactocoele, breast carcinoma and non-specific extra-mammary pathology. Danazol and bromocriptine are effective in treatment of mastalgia, though they show different side effect profiles and varying patient compliance.