Can men also suffer from granulomatous mastitis? Doctors remind: Breast health issues should not be ignored!

In the general public's perception, mastitis seems to be a "disease exclusive to women". However, you may not know that men can also be troubled by mastitis, and granulomatous mastitis is a more special type. Today, let us take a deeper look at the mystery of male granulomatous mastitis.

1. Exploration of the cause: Immune abnormality is the main cause

At present, the cause of granulomatous mastitis has not been fully understood in the medical field. However, studies have shown that autoimmune response plays a key role in its pathogenesis.

When the body's immune system is disrupted, breast tissue may be mistakenly identified as a "foreign invader," which in turn triggers an attack by immune cells, resulting in inflammation. In addition, local inflammatory stimulation, chest trauma, and the use of certain drugs may also be potential factors that trigger the disease.

2. Symptoms: easily confused with cancer

Male granulomatous mastitis mainly presents as a breast lump that is hard in texture, has unclear boundaries, and is often accompanied by pain or tenderness. As the disease progresses, the lump will gradually increase in size, and the breast skin may become red, swollen, or ulcerated. Some patients may also experience systemic symptoms such as fever and fatigue. Because these symptoms are similar to breast cancer, they can easily cause anxiety and panic in patients.

3. Diagnostic method: comprehensive examination and accurate judgment

Once a man finds an abnormal lump or other discomfort in his breast, he should go to the hospital immediately. The doctor will first conduct a detailed physical examination and use palpation to preliminarily determine the size, texture, mobility and other characteristics of the breast lump. Subsequently, he will use imaging methods such as breast ultrasound, mammography (molybdenum target) and even breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to gain a deeper understanding of the internal structure of the breast and the details of the lump.

When necessary, pathological biopsy will become the "gold standard" for diagnosis. By analyzing the diseased tissue, its nature can be clarified and the possibility of other diseases such as breast cancer can be ruled out.

IV. Treatment methods: Innovative methods have obvious advantages

Although male granulomatous mastitis is a benign disease, it has a high recurrence rate and a relatively long treatment cycle, which requires patients to actively cooperate with the treatment.

At present, Dr. Cao Hongru, deputy chief physician of Hunan Second People's Hospital (Provincial Brain Hospital), uses the method of sinus scraping plus duct perfusion treatment. Duct perfusion treatment is based on the anatomical characteristics of the breast and uses the unique closed duct system of breast tissue to deliver drugs. Since there is a large area of ​​epithelial tissue with diffusion function in the mammary alveoli and lobular ducts, the drugs entering the ducts and alveoli can directly reach the lesions and quickly diffuse to the diseased tissue.

This can not only dilute, break up and accumulate abnormal secretions, promote their effective discharge, and eliminate adverse stimulation to the milk ducts, thereby achieving the purpose of treatment, but also has many advantages: the drug can accurately reach the lesion site and directly act on the diseased tissue, avoiding the first-pass effect of the drug in the liver and intestine, reducing the drug dosage, and reducing the drug's toxic side effects; the insertion tube delivers the drug into the gland through the body's natural nipple, which is a non-invasive treatment and reduces the patient's pain.

Cao Hongru, deputy chief physician of Hunan Second People's Hospital (Provincial Brain Hospital), reminds : Male friends should also pay attention to breast health in daily life. Developing good living habits, such as maintaining a balanced diet, exercising moderately, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption, will help maintain the body's immune balance. At the same time, pay attention to avoiding chest trauma and minimize potential factors that induce breast diseases.

Although male granulomatous mastitis is relatively rare, it should not be taken lightly. Only by fully understanding the relevant knowledge and achieving early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment can male friends better protect their breast health and stay away from the troubles of the disease.

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Li Chunhua, Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, Hunan Second People's Hospital (Provincial Brain Hospital)

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(Edited by YT)