Departamento de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Panamá.
The fibrocystic changes of the breast constitute a clinical entity that has no clear etiopathogeny, although it is thought that the persistent estrogenic stimulus may be the cause, but there are other hypothesis related to consumption of saturated fats and use of methylxanthines. The diagnosis is based on the presence of breast pain and nodularity, usually before the onset of menses. General measures, as avoidance of methylxanthines, lower body weight and a firm brassiere are efficacious but some cases require biopsy to discard other problems and use of pharmacologic therapy as danazol, tamoxifen, or bromocriptine.