Mastalgia (“Pain in the Breast”)

45% of women report breast pain, 21% severe.
An entity that is ubiquitous; has an unknown aetiology, and a poorly understood.
Mastitis, carcinoma presenting with only mastalgia (8%).
Patients who are on HRT, caffeine, tobacco, large pendulous breasts, etc.

Types
Cyclical—65%; Noncyclical—30%; Chest wall pain—5%.

GALACTOCELE

Seen in lactating women.
Occurs during cessation of lactation. Often up to 10 months after lactation.
It is due to the blockage of lactiferous duct resulting in enor-mous dilatation of lactiferous sinus.
It contains milk and epithelial debris within.
It is a retention cyst in subareolar region attaining large size.