What is the difference between breast fibroids and breast cysts?

Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
Updated on May 12, 2025
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Lobular hyperplasia and breast hyperplasia are the same, collectively referred to as breast hyperplasia. Clinically, it manifests as cyclical swelling and pain in the breasts, often occurring or worsening during the premenstrual period, and diminishing or disappearing after menstruation. Mild cases may go unnoticed by the patient, while severe cases can affect daily life and work. However, some patients do not exhibit obvious cyclical changes, and some may experience unilateral or bilateral breast swelling or needle-like pain, which can extend to the shoulder, upper limbs, or the chest and back. A few patients may have nipple discharge, and the duration of the disease can sometimes be lengthy, but symptoms usually disappear or lessen after menopause. Upon physical examination, nodular masses of varying sizes can be felt in one or both breasts, which are firm yet not hard, sometimes tender to the touch. The masses are not clearly demarcated from the surrounding breast tissue but are not adhered to the skin or chest muscles, sometimes presenting as indistinctly bounded thickened areas.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Symptoms of lobular hyperplasia cancerization

The symptoms of lobular hyperplasia transforming into cancer primarily include feeling a painless, solitary small lump in the breast. The lump is hard, with a rough surface, and its boundary with surrounding tissue is not clearly defined. It is not easily movable within the breast. As the lump progresses, it can invade the Cooper's ligaments, causing them to contract, and thus the skin over the lump often appears dimpled, known as the dimpling sign, which is an early sign of breast cancer. As breast cancer continues to develop, it can cause the breast to shrink, become harder, elevate the nipple, and may lead to the ducts being pulled, flattened, retracted, or even invaginated. The affected breast may also significantly enlarge over several months, causing an increase in volume and prominence.

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Written by Fan Hong Qiao
Breast Health Department
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What medicine should be taken for mammary gland hyperplasia?

Simple lobular hyperplasia of the breast does not require medication or other treatments, just pay attention to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and regularly check the lobular hyperplasia in both breasts at the hospital to monitor any changes in the condition. After menopause, as the body's estrogen levels decrease, the lobular hyperplasia will gradually improve. Just pay attention to a regular lifestyle, and there is no special dietary requirements compared to others. If the pain is unbearable and severely affects daily life, under the guidance of a doctor, you can take some traditional Chinese medicines that soothe the liver and regulate qi, invigorate blood and resolve stasis, or use estrogen receptor antagonists, which prevent the estrogen receptors from exerting their physiological effects, thereby relieving symptoms.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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The difference between breast cancer and lobular hyperplasia

The difference between breast cancer and lobular hyperplasia is as follows: Lobular hyperplasia primarily manifests as nodular lumps that can be felt within one or both breasts. These lumps vary in size, are tough but not hard, and sometimes tender to touch. The boundaries of the lumps with the surrounding breast tissue are not clear, but they are not adherent to the skin or chest muscles, sometimes presenting as areas of thickening with unclear boundaries. Breast cancer, on the other hand, appears as a solitary, painless lump that is hard as stone and can be round, oval-shaped, or irregular. It can grow large, has poor mobility, and can easily adhere to the skin and surrounding tissues. The growth of the cancerous lump is not related to the menstrual cycle or emotional changes, and it can grow rapidly in a short time. On a mammogram, breast cancer lumps may show tiny calcifications, abnormal vascular shadows, and spicules.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Can hyperplasia eat bamboo shoots?

People with hyperplasia of mammary glands can eat bamboo shoots. Foods rich in cellulose and vitamins can be consumed more often, although their mechanisms are not yet clear. However, it has been confirmed that cellulose can inhibit both breast cancer and colon cancer. Vitamin A also plays a role in protecting the mammary glands. It is advisable to reduce the intake of fats and high-calorie diets. Most epidemiological studies show that weight gain is associated with breast cancer, especially after menopause. Alcohol consumption should be limited as it is reported that it may increase estrogen levels in the body, leading to an increased risk of breast cancer in women. Regular breast ultrasound and mammography are needed for fibrocystic breast disease.

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Written by Lin Yang
Breast Surgery
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Does lobular hyperplasia usually cause pain?

The primary manifestation of mammary gland hyperplasia is cyclical swelling and pain in the breast, often occurring or worsening before menstruation and alleviating or disappearing after menstruation. Mild cases are noteworthy for the patient, while severe cases can affect daily life and work. However, some patients do not exhibit obvious cyclical changes; others may experience unilateral or bilateral breast swelling and pain or needle-like pain. The pain may extend to the shoulder, upper limbs, or shoulder-back area. A few patients may have nipple discharge. During physical examinations, nodular lumps of varying sizes, which are tough but not hard, can be felt in one or both breasts. Sometimes, these lumps are tender to touch, and their boundaries with surrounding tissues are unclear, but they do not adhere to the skin or chest muscles.