Mastalgia

Question 1

What is mastalgia?

Answer 1

breast pain

Question 2

What are the three ways to classify breast pain?

Answer 2

Cyclical, non cyclical and extra mammary

Question 3

What is cyclical breast pain?

Answer 3

breast pain associated with the menstrual cycle, will affect both breasts, starting a few days before menstuation and stopping at the end due to hormonal changes

Question 4

What is non-cyclical breast pain?

Answer 4

medication, hormonal contraceptives, anti depressants and anti-psychotics

Question 5

What is extramammary breast pain?

Answer 5

chest wall or shoulder pain

Question 6

What should be checked for with breast pain?

Answer 6

lumps, skin changes, fevers or discharge, association with the menstrual cycle, ask about drug history, breast feeding, pregnancy, previous medical history and family history

Question 7

What investigations should be done for mastalgia?

Answer 7

Just breast pain in isolation requires no further tests, but can do a pregnancy test

Question 8

What is the primary form of management for breast pain?

Answer 8

reassurance and pain control e.g. ibuprofen or paracetamol, topical NSAIDs

Question 9

What is the second line treatment for breast pain?

Answer 9

Danazol (anti gonadotrophin agent) yet can cause nausea, dizziness, weight gain