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| CASE REPORT |
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| Year : 2017 | Volume
: 11
| Issue : 3 | Page : 196-202 |
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A case report of fibroadenosis alleviated with Homoeopathy
Bharti Wadhwa
Dr. D. P. Rastogi Central Research Institute of Homoeopathy, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| Date of Web Publication | 15-Sep-2017 |
Correspondence Address:
Bharti Wadhwa
Dr. D. P. Rastogi Central Research Institute of Homoeopathy, A-1/1, Sector - 24, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/ijrh.ijrh_2_17
Fibroadenosis also known as fibrocystic breast disease constitutes the most frequent benign disorder of the breast causing constant breast pain. The only known treatment in conventional medicine is anti-inflammatory medicines which give temporary relief or surgical excision which results in scarring of breast tissue. The homoeopathic literature shows that cases related to breast lump, mastitis, etc. have been treated successfully; however, no case study/research trial has been documented till date in any peer-reviewed journal. The case reported here is of fibroadenosis in 31-year-old female who was treated successfully with individualised homoeopathic medicine within 6 months with no recurrence. Phytolacca was prescribed as a constitutional remedy on the basis of totality of symptoms and after repertorisation. Investigatory procedures such as mammography and ultrasonography were done before and after to record resolution of cysts. The patient has been observed for more than 1 year without recurrence which can be considered as near permanent cure through individualised homoeopathic treatment. Resolution of cysts in this case of fibroadenosis with Homoeopathy can be considered a lead to explore the utility of alternative modes of treatment such as Homoeopathy to give a better therapeutic option for such surgical conditions. Keywords: Cyst, Fibroadenosis, Fibrocystic disease, Homoeopathy, Lump in breast
How to cite this article:
Wadhwa B. A case report of fibroadenosis alleviated with Homoeopathy. Indian J Res Homoeopathy 2017;11:196-202 |
| Introduction | |  |
Fibroadenosis also known as fibrocystic breast disease is a common benign breast disease characterised by varying degree of fibrocystic changes in the breast tissue. The fibrocystic breast has a dense irregular and lumpy consistency. The most common presenting symptoms are breast pain, tender nodularities which are round and moveable in breasts and sensitive nipples. These symptoms may change throughout the menstrual cycle that is increase in size of the cyst and tenderness before menstrual cycle and usually stop after menopause.[1],[2] Such changes generally affect women of reproductive age group between 20 and 50 years of age. It may be multifocal and bilateral.[3]
Types of fibrocystic breast disease are:[2]
- Fibrosis - this is fibrous tissue similar to scar tissue. It feels rubbery, firm or hard to touch
- Cysts - These are fluid-filled sacs. Microscopic cysts are too small to feel. These may get bigger and form macrocysts, which may be 2.5–5 cm (1–2 inch) across.
As per records, fibroadenosis is known to be affecting an estimated 30%–60% of women. Although the exact pathogenesis of the entity is not clear, hormonal imbalance, particularly estrogen predominance over progesterone, seems to play an important role in its development. Fibrocystic changes comprise both cysts (macro and micro) and solid lesions, including adenosis, epithelial hyperplasia with or without atypia, apocrine metaplasia, radial scar and papilloma.[3]
Treatment
There is no definite treatment available for fibroadenosis. Removing fluid through fine-needle aspiration may help relieve symptoms of pain or pressure. However, the fluid may return later. In most of the cases, over-the-counter pain relievers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines are given to temporarily relieve the pain.[2] Alternatively, surgery is advised in cases of constant recurrence of pain in spite of pain relievers. However, scarring of breast tissue and recurrence of disease after surgery are the prime cause due to which patients opt for alternative treatments.
Diagnosis
Mammography and ultrasonography (USG) are done to evaluate a mass in a patient with fibrocystic condition. Mammography is usually the first imaging test to be done in women above 35 years of age when unusual breast changes are detected during a physical examination. USG alone may be used in women under 30 years of age.[4] Ultrasound breasts are commonly performed in conjunction with mammography for confirmation as they produce clear images of the breast and helps distinguish between fluid-filled breast cysts and solid masses.
Prognosis
As per conventional treatment, pain, tenderness and cyst formation may occur at any time until the menopause, when symptoms usually subside, except in patients receiving hormonal replacement therapy.[4]
| Case Report | | |
A 31-year-old married female presented in outpatient department (OPD) of Dr. D.P. Rastogi Central Research Institute of Homoeopathy, Noida, with complaint of burning pain in the breasts for 4–5 months which aggravated on touch, pressure and before menses. Pain was occasionally burning in character. Ultrasound breasts [Figure 1] and mammography [Figure 2] revealed fibroadenosis in both breasts. She had been advised anti-inflammatory and pain killer medicines in case of acute pain, which gave her temporary relief and was asked to opt for surgery. However, the patient did not want to go for surgery with fear of scarring and recurrence in the future. Thus, she opted for homoeopathic treatment. Fine-needle aspiration cytology was also advised; however, the patient was not willing to go for any invasive test.
On examination, cystic swellings were felt in periareolar region of both breasts.
Apart from the main presenting complaints, she also reported about pain in both knee joints for 1 month which was aggravated on continuous walking. Thermal reaction was chilly and there was aversion to sour/acidic food. Thirst for small quantities of water at shorter intervals was present.
Following symptoms were considered for repertorisation:
- Fibrocystic tumours
- Pain in breasts on touch
- Pain in breasts before menses
- Burning pain in breasts
- Aversion to sour food
- Pain in knees, agg. walking
- Thirst for small quantities of water at frequent intervals
- Thermal reaction - chilly.
Repertorisation was done using RADAR 10 software[5] (Synthesis repertory 9.0 version), Archibel Homoeopathic software. Repertorial result is shown in [Table 1].
Intervention
First prescription (2 September 2015)
Phytolacca 30/tds/1 week followed by Placebo 30/tds/1 week.
Basis of prescription
Medicine selected as per repertorisation and in consultation with Homoeopathic Materia Medica was Phytolacca. Furthermore, fibrocystic disease, pain aggravation on touch and burning pains which were predominant symptoms were covered by Phytolacca; therefore, Phytolacca was prescribed. In this case, as there was acute pain and tenderness. Therefore, medicine was prescribed in 30C thrice a day for a week. In subsequent follow-ups, potency was changed based on assessment of symptom/sign improvement as mentioned in [Table 2].
Follow-up
Follow-up of patient was assessed fortnightly or earlier as per the requirement. The patient adhered to the medical intervention even after initial aggravation of symptoms after raising the potency from 30C to 200C.
On examination on 7 November 2015, the cystic swellings in subareolar region were found with mild tenderness. Thus, the potency was changed from centesimal to 50 Millesimal (LM) which brought overall improvement. USG was repeated after 6 months of treatment which showed complete resolution of fibroadenosis [Figure 3]. Patient was prescribed SL 30 three times a day for 6 months as there was complete disappearance of symptoms.
Details of follow-ups are given in [Table 2].
| Results | | |
Patient improved symptomatically gradually after prescription of Phytolacca in 50 Millesimal (LM) potencies. There was a significant reduction in pain along with cystic swellings which resolved completely over 6 months duration. Ultrasound breasts done after 6 months at Dr. D.P. Rastogi Central Research Institute of Homoeopathy, Noida, revealed normal study with complete resolution of cysts. Ultrasound was repeated after 1 month again from another laboratory to confirm the findings which also revealed normal scan [Figure 4].
| Discussion | | |
It has been well known that conventional treatment can help relieve the complaints associated with fibroadenosis and there are chances of recurrence, scarring, etc.whereas in this case treated with individualised homoeopathic medicine has not only brought relief in the signs and symptoms but also no recurrence has been reported in 1-year duration of follow-up.
Phytolacca is frequently used and supposed to be a specific remedy for glands, especially mammary glands.[6] As seen clinically, Phytolacca is useful in majority of cases presenting with mastitis, breast tumours, abscesses and even cancer of breast. However, in this case, after case history recording, repertorisation and consultation with Materia Medica, Phytolacca was prescribed on the basis of individualisation and totality of the symptoms and not just as a specific remedy. As a result, there was complete recovery in breast pain along with resolution of cysts. Apart from the presenting complaints of pain in breasts, associated symptoms such as pain in both knee joints also improved as medicine was given on constitutional basis. Thus, this case record reflects that any constitutional remedy having specific organ affinity will surely bring complete recovery and at a faster pace.
The patient showed improvement in beginning which proved correct selection of medicine, but there was aggravation of symptoms after raising the potency. The acuteness of pain in breasts required repetition of medicine but in much milder dosage. Thus, LM potency was chosen in accordance to the directions of Dr. Hahnemann in the 6th edition of Organon. ‘Thus, in chronic diseases, every correctly chosen homoeopathic medicine, even those whose action is of long duration, may be repeated daily for months with ever increasing success’.[7]
The patient showed marked improvement in symptoms when medicine was repeated frequently in LM potency. After 3 months of treatment with LM potency, there was complete amelioration in symptoms. This shows the importance of dose and repetition in achieving complete cure. USG was done after 6 months showed normal scan with complete resolution of cysts. This clearly shows homoeopathic approach with proper selection of medicine, potency and repetition of dosage is more scientific with promising results as compared to conventional medicine.
| Conclusion | | |
Homoeopathy is a specialised system of medicine which treats the patient as a whole and not just the disease. Non-recurrence of complaints for 1 year and disappearance of fibroadenosis on USG within 6 months are a documentary evidence of complete resolution with Homoeopathy in the light of modern medicine.
Acknowledgement
The author expresses profound gratitude to Dr. B. S. Arya, Officer In-Charge and Dr. Pritha Mehra, Scientist-2, Dr. D. P. Rastogi Central Research Institute of Homoeopathy, Noida, for their constant support and guidance in drafting this article. Cooperation of the patient is also gratefully acknowledged who came for regular follow-ups during the treatment and expressed her willingness to share this case for academic purpose.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
None decl ared.
| References | | |
| 1. | |
| 2. | |
| 3. | Guray M, Sahin AA. Benign breast diseases: Classification, diagnosis, and management. Oncologist 2006;11:435-49.  |
| 4. | Papadakis MA, McPhee SJ, Rabow MW. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment. 46 th Edition;The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc; 2007. |
| 5. | Schroyens F. RADAR 10, Synthesis 9.0(SE90), Archibel Homoeopathic Software. |
| 6. | Kaveh AA, Kabirian A, Mashayekhi M, Danandeh R, Bahraminia F, Kochakzade H. Evaluation of clinical remission and serum globulin level in clinical and subclinical mastitis of Holstein cows before and after using of homeopathic medicine Phytolacca decandra Pelagia Research Library European Journal of Experimental Biology, 2012; 2:1957-61. |
| 7. | Hahnemann S. Organon of Medicine. 6 th ed. India: B. Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.; 2006. p. 205. |
[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4]
[Table 1], [Table 2]
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