European journal of breast health最新文献

{"title":"Pathologic Complete Response After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients Treated With Mastectomy: Indications for Treatment and Oncological Outcomes.","authors":"Corrado Tinterri, Shadya Sara Darwish, Erika Barbieri, Andrea Sagona, Valeriano Vinci, Damiano Gentile","doi":"10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2024.2024-6-3","DOIUrl":"10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2024.2024-6-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of breast cancer (BC) patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by mastectomy, focusing on cases achieving pathologic complete response (pCR). The implications of residual ductal carcinoma <i>in situ</i> (DCIS) on prognosis and survival were examined.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A retrospective cohort study included BC patients treated with NAC followed by mastectomy at the breast unit of IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital between March 2010 and October 2021. Patients were sub-grouped into two: Those with residual DCIS (ypTis) and those with complete response without residual tumor (ypT0). Key variables such as demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment regimens, and survival outcomes were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 681 patients treated with NAC, 175 achieved pCR, with 60 undergoing mastectomy. Among these 60 patients, 24 had residual DCIS (ypTis) while 36 had no residual invasive or <i>in situ</i> disease (ypT0). Patients with ypTis had higher rates of multifocal disease (62.5% <i>vs</i>. 27.8%, <i>p</i> = 0.006) and stage III disease (37.5% <i>vs</i>. 11.1%, <i>p</i> = 0.046). Triple-negative breast cancer was more prevalent in the ypT0 group (55.6% <i>vs</i>. 20.8%, <i>p</i> = 0.005). During a mean follow-up of 47 months, 11 patients experienced recurrence, with no significant differences in disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) between the groups (<i>p</i> = 0.781, <i>p</i> = 0.963, respectively).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Residual DCIS after NAC did not significantly impact DFS or OS compared to complete pathologic response without residual DCIS. This study underscores the need for further research to refine pCR definitions and improve NAC's prognostic and therapeutic roles in BC management.</p>","PeriodicalId":93996,"journal":{"name":"European journal of breast health","volume":"20 4","pages":"277-283"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11589190/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142335103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pseudoaneurysm in the Axillary Tail of the Breast After A Core Needle Biopsy.","authors":"Cedric Pluguez-Turull, Cinthia Del Toro, Nicole Brofman, Yara Z Feliciano","doi":"10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2024.2024-4-5","DOIUrl":"10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2024.2024-4-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We present the case of a forty-year-old asymptomatic female with no personal or family history of breast cancer, who underwent a core needle biopsy (CNB) following the identification of a focal asymmetry in the right breast on screening mammography. Eight months later, a prominent adjacent vascular structure with a round outpouching was detected on breast ultrasound, confirmed as a post-biopsy pseudoaneurysm. Breast pseudoaneurysms, although exceedingly rare, result from inadvertent vessel puncture during core needle biopsies, particularly when larger gauge needles are used. They present as palpable, throbbing lumps in the breast and are well-defined heterogeneous structures that exhibit turbulent flow with a feeding artery on color Doppler imaging. This swirling sign showing a to-and-fro waveform is also known as the \"yin-yang\" sign on Doppler ultrasound. Post-CNB pseudoaneurysms in the breast, while rare, should be considered as potential complications following core need biopsy. Understanding their characteristic imaging features, risk factors, and available management options is essential for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. This case underscores the importance of vigilance in biopsy procedures and the need for prompt recognition and intervention in case of such complications.</p>","PeriodicalId":93996,"journal":{"name":"European journal of breast health","volume":"20 4","pages":"313-315"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11589191/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142335104","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rare Breast Emergency: A Case of Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Breast in a Lactating Patient.","authors":"Gökhan Giray Akgül, Sümeyra Güler, Simay Akyüz, Duygu Bayram, İbrahim Burak Bahçecioğlu, Müjdat Turan, Hikmet Erhan Güven, Mehmet Ali Gülçelik, Kerim Bora Yılmaz","doi":"10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2024.2024-5-10","DOIUrl":"10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2024.2024-5-10","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare but potentially lethal infection of the skin and soft tissue, commonly seen in the perianal and gluteal regions. Concomitant diabetes is a predisposing factor. Primary necrotizing fasciitis of the breast is rare in healthy women. In this article, we present a very rare case of breast necrotizing fasciitis in the context of the literature. We report the case of a 35-year-old female patient who had given birth two months prior to admission and developed necrotizing fasciitis of the breast during lactation. The patient presented to the emergency department with sepsis. Examination revealed widespread erythema, dark discoloration, edema, and necrotic areas indicative of wet gangrene and crepitation in the left breast. Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapid and aggressive disease that can be fatal, and delayed diagnosis may unfortunately result in death. Therefore, careful evaluation of all suspected cases, especially for patients with risk factors, is crucial for early diagnosis and timely treatment. This case highlights the importance of recognizing necrotizing fasciitis of the breast in lactating women to ensure prompt and appropriate management, potentially saving lives.</p>","PeriodicalId":93996,"journal":{"name":"European journal of breast health","volume":"20 4","pages":"309-312"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11589180/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142335105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dietary Patterns and Breast Cancer Risk: A KCPS-II Cohort Study.","authors":"Ji-Young Lee, Hae In Cho, Heejin Kimm","doi":"10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2024.2024-3-4","DOIUrl":"10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2024.2024-3-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>There have been inconsistencies in the evidence for a role of dietary patterns in the development of breast cancer. In this study, we used a large-scale cohort [Korean Cancer Prevention Study-II (KCPS-II)] to examine the association between dietary patterns and breast cancer risk in Korean women.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The dietary patterns of 14,807 women from the KCPS-II were derived by factor analysis and 135 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed during the follow-up period. Cox proportional models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the risk of breast cancer.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The following three major dietary patterns were identified: \"Korean dietary pattern\" (high intake of Kimchi, vegetables, and rice); \"sweet dietary pattern\" (high intake of soda and sugar); and \"new (Western-like) dietary pattern\" (high intake of dairy products, eggs, oil, fruits, and bread). After adjusting for potential confounders, neither the Korean (HR for the highest compared with the lowest tertile, 1.04; 95% CI 0.53-2.06) nor the sweet dietary patterns were associated with the risk of breast cancer. In contrast, the new (Western-like) dietary pattern was found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer with an HR (95% CI) of 1.01 (0.65-1.60) for the second tertile and 1.61 (1.04-2.50) for the third tertile as compared with the lowest tertile. After stratifying by menopausal status, these effects were only statistically significant among premenopausal women for the third tertile, compared with those in the bottom tertile (HR 1.69; 95% CI 1.06-2.68; <i>p</i> = 0.028). No significant association was observed between the Korean or sweet dietary pattern and breast cancer among either pre- or postmenopausal women.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings revealed that a greater consumption of a new (Western-like) diet was associated with an increased breast cancer risk and consequently offer a potential prevention strategy for Korean women.</p>","PeriodicalId":93996,"journal":{"name":"European journal of breast health","volume":"20 4","pages":"262-269"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11589189/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142335099","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Before and After Breast-Cancer Diagnosis Among Young Women in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966.","authors":"Anniina Tastula, Arja Jukkola, Anni-Emilia Alakokkare, Tanja Nordström, Peeter Karihtala, Jouko Miettunen, Sami Räsänen","doi":"10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2024.2024-7-1","DOIUrl":"10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2024.2024-7-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of the study was to explore depressive, anxiety, and mental-health related somatic symptoms among young breast-cancer survivors by considering symptoms before and after cancer onset.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The study sample included females from the prospective Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966. Symptoms were assessed with the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 at the age of 31 and 46 years. We studied both subscales of depressive, anxiety, and somatic symptoms and single symptoms in secondary analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirty-one cases and 3.077 controls were included. Females diagnosed with breast cancer 3-8 years before the 46-year follow-up had increased depressive (<i>p</i> = 0.005) and somatic symptoms (<i>p</i> = 0.028) at the 46-year follow-up compared with the 31-year follow-up. This was not observed among those diagnosed <3 or >8 years before or among controls. Females diagnosed with breast cancer reported more lack of strength or energy compared with controls at the 46-year follow-up (<i>p</i> = 0.047). Among females who did not report feeling that the future is hopeless at the 31-year follow-up, significantly more females diagnosed with breast cancer reported this feeling at the 46-year follow-up compared with controls (<i>p</i> = 0.006).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Depressive and somatic symptoms increased significantly among young females at 3-8 years after breast-cancer diagnosis compared with the time before the cancer diagnosis. Psychosocial measures of support for breast-cancer survivors should be provided over the long-term.</p>","PeriodicalId":93996,"journal":{"name":"European journal of breast health","volume":"20 4","pages":"292-302"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11589186/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142335098","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Construction of Low-Cost Simulators for Training in Minimally Invasive Breast Procedures.","authors":"Mirian Khéde Careta, Maura Alambert, Rafael Da Silva Sá, Simone Elias","doi":"10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2023.2023-8-6","DOIUrl":"10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2023.2023-8-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this work was to describe a technique for building low-cost simulators for training in minimally invasive breast procedures guided by ultrasound (US) and stereotactic mammography (MMG), focusing mainly on training medical professionals studying related areas.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Low-cost phantoms were developed using organic structures that mimic breast tissue, such as chicken breast and eggplant, and materials that simulate breast lesions. A step-by-step description of the preparation and use of these simulators was made, enabling the reproducibility of the technique by the physicians in training themselves.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The low-cost phantoms showed a high degree of echogenic and radiological similarity with human breast tissue, allowing adequate training in minimally invasive procedures.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>It was possible to build low-cost phantoms that allow training in US- and stereotactic MMG-guided minimally invasive breast procedures.</p>","PeriodicalId":93996,"journal":{"name":"European journal of breast health","volume":"20 1","pages":"64-70"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10765465/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139379020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of the Influence of Geodimensional and Histological Parameters on the Need for Margin Widening in Breast Lesions Marked With Magnetic Seeds.","authors":"João T Oliveira, Ana Munhoz, Jm Preza Fernandes, Cláudia Paiva, Tânia Teixeira, Susana Marta, José Polónia","doi":"10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2023.2023-11-5","DOIUrl":"10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2023.2023-11-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Breast cancer is an important topic worldwide, posing morbidity and mortality to women. Considerable efforts have been put in the early recognition of malignancy through different screening methods, such as mammography and ultrasound. The precise localization of infraclinical malignant lesions is key in surgical management and magnetic seeds gather particular interest for this purpose. As with other systems, a need for reintervention may be needed to obtain adequate surgical margins. This work evaluated the relation between the need for surgical reintervention in order to obtain negative margins and geodimensional and histological parameters. The main objective was the identification of parameters significantly associated with reintervention for margin widening.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A retrospective analysis of 198 patients from a single centre was performed. The association between pre-defined geodimensional and histological parameters and the need for margin widening in infraclinical lesions marked with magnetic seed was evaluated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results showed that reintervention to widen margins was significantly higher in patients with ductal carcinoma <i>in situ</i> (DCIS) in the pre-operative biopsy when compared with invasive carcinoma (<i>p</i> = 0.03) in the bivariate analysis. No statistically significant differences were observed between the need for reintervention and lesion size (<i>p</i> = 0.197), breast quadrant location (<i>p</i> = 0.626) and distance of skin to lesion (<i>p</i> = 0.356).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This work suggests that a more invasive margin clearance in lesions with a pre-operative DCIS diagnosis might obviate the need for reintervention to obtain negative margins. On the other hand, it is not necessary to be surgically more invasive in larger lesions, deeply located or that are present in a certain quadrant, since there are no significant differences regarding the need for reintervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":93996,"journal":{"name":"European journal of breast health","volume":"20 1","pages":"31-37"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2023-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10765467/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139379023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"New Approaches in Breast Cancer Radiotherapy.","authors":"Niyazi Volkan Demircan, Nuran Bese","doi":"10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2023.2023-11-4","DOIUrl":"10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2023.2023-11-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Breast cancer stands as the most prevalent malignancy, necessitating a well-established approach to its management due to its sustained prevalence over decades. The implementation of intensive treatments, combining various modalities, has yielded excellent survival outcomes. Consequently, the optimization of quality of life and the mitigation of long-term side effects emerge as critical considerations for clinicians. As a result, discussions regarding treatment de-intensification strategies have been initiated for all treatment modalities, including surgery, radiotherapy (RT), and chemotherapy. RT plays a crucial role in adjuvant therapy. The efficacy of RT in disease control and overall survival across all stages of breast cancer has been demonstrated in numerous clinical trials and meta-analyses utilizing extensive datasets. However, advancements in genetic tumor profiling and improved identification of disease subgroups have prompted a reevaluation of RT omission in low-risk groups as a strategy for treatment de-intensification. Conversely, technological improvements and shortened total treatment times with hypofractionation make RT a secure and feasible option for enhancing local control and survival with minimal impact on the quality of life.</p>","PeriodicalId":93996,"journal":{"name":"European journal of breast health","volume":"20 1","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10765469/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139379027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Clinical and Pathological Characteristics That Differentiate Cases With \"Low Estrogen Receptor Expression\" From Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.","authors":"Cem Karaali, Mümin Emiroğlu, Mustafa Değirmenci, Murat Keser, Semra Salimoğlu, Canan Kelten Talu","doi":"10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2023.2023-6-3","DOIUrl":"10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2023.2023-6-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Estrogen receptor (ER) expression is an immunohistochemical marker that is examined in all invasive breast cancers and has prognostic and predictive value. ER-positive breast cancers refer to those that show positivity for ER at 1% cellular expression or higher. The American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists guidelines suggest using the term \"low ER-positive breast cancer\" for tumors with ER expression between 1% and 10%. Low ER-positive breast cancers exhibit similarities, in terms of disease-free survival and overall survival rates, to triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) rather than ER-positive breast cancers. In this study, our aim was to compare the clinicopathological characteristics of low ER-positive breast cancer cases diagnosed and followed in our clinic with TNBCs.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A total of 26 cases of low ER-positive breast cancer diagnosed at University of Health Sciences Turkey, İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital between 2010 and 2016 were retrieved from hospital records. The relevant histopathology slides and blocks were retrieved and re-evaluated retrospectively through microscopic examination. Thirteen cases that met the criteria were included in the study. Additionally, a consecutive series of 13 TNBC cases that did not receive neoadjuvant treatment within the same time period were identified.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the low ER-positive group, the presence of tumor necrosis, as well as histological grade, nuclear grade and Ki-67 proliferation index were significantly lower compared to the TNBC group. Ductal carcinoma <i>in situ</i> (DCIS) was significantly more common in the low ER-positive group compared to the TNBC group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of tumor size, histological tumor type, axillary lymph node involvement, tumor margins, peritumoral and intratumoral inflammation, local recurrence, distant metastasis, survival, and other characteristics.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although our study consisted of a small number of cases, some features showed significant differences between low ER-positive breast cancers and TNBCs. Histological and nuclear grades, as well as the presence of a DCIS component, were associated with low ER-positive breast cancer. In contrast, the presence of tumor necrosis, as well as Grade 3 features and a high Ki-67 proliferation index indicated TNBC.</p>","PeriodicalId":93996,"journal":{"name":"European journal of breast health","volume":"20 1","pages":"19-24"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10765462/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139379030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mastalgia - The Burden Beneath.","authors":"Akanksha Arvind Sharma, Ashwani Kumar, Dinesh Kumar Pasi, Parth Dhamija, Gurleen Kaur Garry, Anshu Saini, Ruchi Jakhar","doi":"10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2023.2023-3-10","DOIUrl":"10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2023.2023-3-10","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Mastalgia is the most common breast-related complaint. A multitude of hormonal changes and lifestyle associated factors have been implicated in its causation. A long list of treatment modalities have been tried with varying success rates. To identify the most common risk factors and the most effective management strategies for mastalgia in our clinic population.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A total of 100 women between 18-65 years of age presenting to the breast clinic with mastalgia were followed throughout their course of diagnosis and management. Stepwise treatment was provided, starting with reassurance and breast support and progressing to include pharmacological measures, when necessary. The risk factors and outcomes of treatment were analysed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The majority (66%) were aged 25-47 years and the left breast was found to be most frequently involved. Involvement of the upper outer quadrant was significantly more common. Lump/nodularity was the most prevalent risk factor. Most patients showed a positive response to non-steroid anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) in addition to reassurance, breast support and dietary changes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A detailed history and clinical examination helps to identify the risk factors and the best approach for the management of mastalgia. Educating women regarding breast self-examination at regular intervals helps in early presentation and diagnosis of the underlying condition. Reassurance, breast support and lifestyle changes are the first line treatment and have good results in a significant number of patients. In our practice topical and oral NSAIDs, evening primrose oil and vitamin E were frequently used as additional treatments to non-pharmacological methods.</p>","PeriodicalId":93996,"journal":{"name":"European journal of breast health","volume":"20 1","pages":"15-18"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10765463/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139379026","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}