The University of Virginia Health System says that mastalgia, commonly known as breast pain, is a condition that can be classified as either noncyclic or cyclic. Cyclic breast pain typically occurs with menstruation, while noncyclic pain can occur in the breast at any time. Sometimes mastalgia can be due to an underlying medical problem. The causes of mastalgia have specific treatment options.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
The Mayo Clinic says that inflammatory breast cancer is a rare type of cancer that develops rapidly. It is characterized by such symptoms as mastalgia, enlargement of the breast, itching and flattening of the nipple. Inflammatory breast cancer can also lead to skin dimpling of the breast, enlarged lymph nodes beneath the breast and a pink, red or purple discoloration of the breast.
The cause of inflammatory breast cancer is uncertain. An alteration in the breast cancer cell's DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) might be a contributing factor to this disease.
Treatment for inflammatory breast disease involves chemotherapy and radiation to eliminate the breast cancer cells. Hormone therapy such as tamoxifen and targeted therapy such as transtuzumab can also be used to manage inflammatory breast cancer. Surgery can remove the affected breast tissue or the entire breast (mastectomy).
Fibrocystic Breast Disease
Fibrocystic breast disease, also called benign breast disease, is a harmless condition that usually occurs in conjunction with menstrual cycles. Specific symptoms of fibrocystic breast disease include mastalgia typically in both breasts, dense or irregular breast tissue, breast fullness, breast swelling and nipple discharge.
The cause of fibrocystic breast disease is still unclear but it has been linked to hormonal changes during menstruation. MedlinePlus, a website of the National Institutes of Health, says that risk factors of fibrocystic breast disease include having a family history, eating a diet high in fat and drinking excessive amounts of caffeine.
Sometimes birth control pills, a medication known as danazol or tamoxifen may be prescribed to manage fibrocystic breast disease.
Breast Infection
A breast infection can also lead to mastalgia. MedlinePlus says that symptoms of a breast infection also include a breast lump, breast enlargement, itching, nipple discharge and a fever. Breast infections can also lead to changes in nipple sensation, warmth or redness of the breast tissue, vomiting or nausea.
The bacteria Staphlococcus aureus typically infiltrates the fatty tissues in the breast through the nipple or a crack or abrasion in the skin. Breast infections are typically associated with women who are breast feeding.
Treatment for breast infections involves applying a moist, warm cloth to the breast for 15 to 20 minutes, four times a day. Antibiotic medications can also be used to destroy the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
