fibercystic disease

This NIH article says that up to half of all women have fibrocystic breasts at some time in their lives. So many people think its a misnomer to call fibrocystic breasts  a 'disease', because its so common.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/00...

From what I understand, unfortunately, they can't always find out what causes breast pain.  From what I understand, there's no guarantee that if an area is removed that the breast pain will go away.  But I'm no expert.  I hope others will post their experience.  I've never had lumpy breasts.

evening primrose oil is also supposed to help decrease the pain of fibrocystic breast disease (FBD) as well as decreasing the intake of caffiene,

anne

I also do not understand why your doctor is removing the tissue (is this random tissue, or an actual painful mass like a fibroadenoma?). Sometimes very painful or very large cysts or fibroadenomas need to be removed, but not often. More than 1/2 of pre-menopausal women have fibrocystic condition (the disease terminology is no longer used, as it is is not a disease). I had it as well. It can include pain, tenderness, cysts, fibroadenomas, and other benign growths. Usually there is no surgical intervention. The pain is often related to hormone fluctuations. Certain things can reduce the symptoms, like cutting caffeine, evening primrose oil. Regular exercise can also be of benefit as if reduces impact of hormonal fluctuations.

Surgery itself is not generally recommended as it creates scar tissue which can cause difficulties in imaging later, and, well, it is just not a recommended course of treatment for fibrocystic condition which is considered a benign condition. Also, yes, it can have a cosmetic impact.  Likely if you just remove random breast tissue, the condition will continue to occur in other breast tissues.

I do think you need a second opinion, with a breast specialist.

Count me into the confused group.  Did you have a needle biopsy first to determine what he felt needed to be removed?  It's never good to go in there and just start cutting things away without a reason.  I have very lumpy breast even without the b9 extra's they've discovered so far.  I've been told since I was young that my breast were fibrocystic and very dense.  But no one has ever suggested removing anything that wasn't something more.  It would worry me to have a doctor who seems so caviler about it.  At least that's the way it sounds from the limited information you've given.  I'm thinking perhaps we missed something.  

I was advised not to remove my extremely low risk fibroadenomas (I have 2) unless they grew and started having problems because scar tissue can obscure things that are much more sinister.  However as others have stated those can sometimes grow very large and cause problems.   That would be a reason to remove one. 

I've always had some pain at certain times of the month but since my last biopsy (Interductal Papilloma + other things) I've had more and different pain.  The doctor is going to remove that lump mostly because, even though all the things found are B9 there is some risk that it could be, hiding something more or become cancer.  I have enough family history to be cautious, too.  She warned me that as far as my breast pain goes it's impossible to know if the surgery will help it.  I'm praying that it does.  I hope that this relieved your pain but if not I'd consider getting a 2nd opinion before any more surgery if your doctor hasn't give you a dx besides fibrocystic disease.