Fibrocystic Change

Question 1

What is fibrocystic change?

Answer 1

Benign cystic alteration in breast tissue in women 20s-50s

Commonly seen in reproductive-age women

Question 2

What is a classic presentation of fibrocystic change?

Answer 2

A woman 20s-30s with bilateral, waxing/waning breast tenderness over the menstrual cycle

This is a highly recognized clinical scenario in exams

Question 3

What is a less common presentation of fibrocystic change?

Answer 3

Unilateral tenderness or sharp pain in one breast

Students may be surprised that it’s not always bilateral

Question 4

What is another presentation of fibrocystic change in women in their 40s?

Answer 4

Painless, unilateral breast cyst that drains brown/greenish fluid

This presentation can lead directly to the diagnosis of fibrocystic change

Question 5

How is fibrocystic change diagnosed?

Answer 5

You do not need to biopsy or do ultrasound. It is a clinical diagnosis

Treatment is symptomatic only

Question 6

What is the treatment for fibrocystic change?

Answer 6

symptomatic treatments

• Warm showers
• Evening primrose oil

These treatments aim to alleviate discomfort

Question 7

What are some findings that may be seen in a biopsy of fibrocystic change?

Answer 7

• Sclerosing adenosis
• Apocrine metaplasia
• Blue dome cysts

These findings may appear in exam questions