Management of Mastalgia

Ayat ElSherif; Stephanie A Valente

doi:10.1016/j.suc.2022.06.001

Management of Mastalgia

Surg Clin North Am. 2022 Dec;102(6):929-946. doi: 10.1016/j.suc.2022.06.001.

Authors

Ayat ElSherif¹, Stephanie A Valente²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
² Division of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. Electronic address: Valents3@ccf.org.

PMID: 36335929
DOI: 10.1016/j.suc.2022.06.001

Abstract

Breast pain is a common symptom in most women during their lifetime, and many times is self-limited. Mastalgia is categorized into 3 main groups: cyclic, noncyclic and extramammary. A good history, examination and targeted imaging can help to delineate the underlying cause of mastalgia and therefore guide treatment options. Diet, medications, stress, hormonal fluctuations, and an ill-fitting bra can be contributing factors for physiologic causes of mastalgia. Breast cancer is rarely a cause but should be excluded. Reassurance, support, dietary changes, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and occasionally hormonal medications are options to help with improving breast pain.

Keywords: Breast pain; Cyclic pain; Danazol; Extramammary pain; Mastalgia; Mastodynia; Noncyclic; Tamoxifen.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
Breast Neoplasms* / complications
Breast Neoplasms* / diagnosis
Breast Neoplasms* / therapy
Female
Humans
Mastodynia* / diagnosis
Mastodynia* / etiology
Mastodynia* / therapy

Substances

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal