Diabetic mastopathy is a benign (non-cancerous) condition in which fibrous lumps develop in a diabetes patient’s breast. The lumps are normally hard, painless and irregularly shaped. Symptoms may include hard, irregular, easily movable, discrete, painless breast mass. Diabetic mastopathy is more prevalent among women with long-standing type 1 diabetes. It is also more common in women who have micro vascular (small blood vessel). In addition, diabetic mastopathy may affect women with type 2 diabetes or other forms of diabetes.
Breast lumps and lesions caused by diabetic mastopathy are usually surgically removed, in whole or in part, although reoccurrence after removal is common. It is believed that the act of removing the lump may trigger the production of new, larger lumps. For this reason, physicians may recommend a technique called a core biopsy, which removes only the central part of the lump. This may help to minimize recurrences.
Although, there are no established prevention methods of diabetic mastopathy but the link between microvascular complications and diabetic mastopathy indicates that control of glucose (blood sugar) may reduce the risk of developing the condition.
Patients who have a history of diabetic mastopathy should monitor their breasts regularly for new lumps (breast self-examination) and notify the physician as soon as any changes are discovered. Women with type 1 diabetes are advised to have an annual breast examination, even if they have no history of diabetic mastopathy.
Posted in 
