Category: Mammology
Mammology is a medical specialization that studies the physiological and pathological mechanisms of the functioning of the mammary glands, the clinical aspects of their treatment, diagnosis and prevention. Mammology develops at the junction of several sections of medicine – gynecology, endocrinology, oncology, surgery. The social importance of mammology is due to the progressive growth of mammary tumor lesions, including cancer, in women leading to disability and early death.
The allocation of mammalogy in a separate discipline was a great surge of various diseases of the breast, including a tumor character. The specialist-mammologist (mammalog-oncologist) is engaged in treatment and diagnostic aspects of pathological changes in the mammary glands. The most common diseases in mammology include mastopathy, cyst, fibroadenoma, breast cancer; in the postpartum period – mastitis, lactostasis, cracked nipples.
Risk factors in mammology that affect the occurrence of diseases of the mammary glands are abortions, disregard for breastfeeding, the onset of menstruation in girls earlier than 11 years, late first births, ovarian dysfunction, changes in hormonal balance and endocrinopathy, severe stress, unsuccessful mammal heredity through the female line etc. Increased attention in mammology is given to adolescent patients, young mothers and women with the extinction of menstrual function.
Statistical information in mammology suggests that 1 in 10 women have a predisposition to breast cancer; every second – to the development of fibro-cystic mastopathy or other benign neoplasms. Taking into account such disappointing statistics, special preventive measures take on special importance in mammology. Screening examinations in mammology (visual examination of the glands, palpation, breast ultrasound, mammography, detection of breast cancer cancer marker) should be performed annually.
In addition, at least once every 3 months, women are recommended to conduct an independent examination of the glands. Most diagnostic techniques in mammology should be performed during periods of relative “hormonal rest” – on the 5-8 day after the onset of menstruation.
Emergency consultation in mammology is indicated in cases of engorgement, soreness, swelling in the mammary glands, seals, skin modification (reddening, wrinkling, ulceration), discharge from the nipple, traumatizing the breast, inflammation or deformation of the axillary lymph nodes. If these changes are found, consult a mammological center without delay.
A significant part of the diseases in mammology, detected at an early, preclinical stage, can be cured conservatively or by organ-preserving surgical intervention.
Mammological centers in US
Clinical mammology in US is an actual and in demand field of medicine. Problems of mammology in US are dealt with by specialized departments of multidisciplinary clinics or mammological centers.
Mammology in USA offers consultations of doctors-mammologists, conducting diagnostic studies and effective treatment course, professional and delicate attitude to the existing problems of patients. All types of care provided by the mammological centers in US are carried out in accordance with international standards accepted in mammology.
Many mammological centers carry out comprehensive breast screening programs and preventive screening programs on special conditions. Mammology in United States of America stands guard not only for women, but also for men’s health, since representatives of the stronger sex can develop breast cancer or gynecomastia.
Among the diagnostic techniques in mammology, ultrasound of the tissue structure, lymph nodes and breast vessels, radiothermometry, mammography (sighting and survey), CT, MRI of the mammary glands are used. Additional information about diseases in mammology allows obtaining a laboratory definition of hormones and cancer markers CA 15-3 in the blood, examination of the nasal discharge, puncture biopsies of the formations with subsequent pathomorphological analysis of the biopsy and many others. etc. In the detection of breast pathology requiring in-patient treatment, the mammological center is hospitalized.
Treatment of any pathology in the mammological center is carried out under the supervision of a mammologist, often with the involvement of related specialists – a gynecologist and endocrinologist. Many diseases in mammology require elimination of provoking factors – gynecological problems, hormonal failure, stress, liver dysfunction, bad habits, etc.
Conservative approach to treatment in mammology can include hormone therapy, herbal medicine, vitamin therapy, intake of dietary supplements, hirudotherapy, psychotherapy. Treatment of inflammatory changes in the mammary glands (mastitis) requires an active antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory