Mammology is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the mammary glands. The task of a mammologist is to diagnose existing pathologies of the mammary glands, prescribe the necessary treatment in accordance with modern clinical recommendations of evidence-based medicine, and also prevent the development of other diseases, the most serious of which is breast cancer.
The frequency of visits to a mammologist depends on the woman’s age, heredity, the presence of gynecological diseases, and, of course, complaints related to the mammary glands. Among the majority of patients who consult an oncologic surgeon with visually noticeable or palpably detected neoplasms, the largest group consists of patients with benign tumors. These are often discovered accidentally by the patients themselves or during routine preventive examinations. Sometimes changes in sensation in the tumor area occur only when the tumor disrupts the function of a neighboring organ or causes compression of nerve trunks and blood vessels. Although benign tumors may exist for a long time without clinical manifestations, only an experienced physician can assess the probability of their transformation into malignant growth. Lipomas, cysts, fibromas, hemangiomas, under the influence of unfavorable physical factors (sun exposure, frequent trauma in uncomfortable skin locations, contact with aggressive chemical solutions), may also demonstrate expansive growth, depriving the patient of a comfortable quality of life. Superficial tumors can be removed in our clinic using optimal techniques that reduce the likelihood of recurrence, ensure minimal blood loss, and, whenever possible, result in an aesthetically favorable postoperative scar.
The most common diseases:
- congenital diseases of the mammary glands;
- mastopathy;
- breast fibroadenoma;
- inflammatory diseases of the mammary glands, mastitis;
- lactostasis;
- breast cyst;
- breast trauma;
- gynecomastia in men;
- intraductal papilloma;
- neoplasms / tumors of the mammary glands.
When to consult a mammologist:
- pain in the breast;
- pain in the axillary lymph nodes;
- nipple discharge or visible changes of the nipple;
- hematomas or lumps in the breast;
- breast asymmetry;
- breast enlargement in men;
- breast tumors in close relatives (family history);
- women over 40 years of age;
- pregnancy planning;
- changes in skin color of the breast or its deformation;
- preventive examinations.
The Medical Center “Doctor Aizyatulova’s Reproductive Medicine Clinic” – AIS provides:
- consultations with a mammologist;
- diagnostic examinations: ultrasound, mammography, a full panel of tumor markers, hormonal studies, dermatoscopy, fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the breast under ultrasound guidance with subsequent cytological and histopathological examination of the obtained material to establish a definitive (morphological) diagnosis (if indicated);
- conservative treatment of patients with precancerous breast diseases (diffuse fibrocystic mastopathy, dishormonal dysplasia of the mammary glands);
- surgical treatment (excision with a scalpel) — if indicated.
The frequency of visits to a mammologist depends on the woman’s age, heredity, the presence of gynecological diseases, and, of course, complaints related to the mammary glands. Among the majority of patients who consult an oncologic surgeon with visually noticeable or palpably detected neoplasms, the largest group consists of patients with benign tumors. These are often discovered accidentally by the patients themselves or during routine preventive examinations. Sometimes changes in sensation in the tumor area occur only when the tumor disrupts the function of a neighboring organ or causes compression of nerve trunks and blood vessels. Although benign tumors may exist for a long time without clinical manifestations, only an experienced physician can assess the probability of their transformation into malignant growth. Lipomas, cysts, fibromas, hemangiomas, under the influence of unfavorable physical factors (sun exposure, frequent trauma in uncomfortable skin locations, contact with aggressive chemical solutions), may also demonstrate expansive growth, depriving the patient of a comfortable quality of life. Superficial tumors can be removed in our clinic using optimal techniques that reduce the likelihood of recurrence, ensure minimal blood loss, and, whenever possible, result in an aesthetically favorable postoperative scar.