Definition

1. Noun:
   • A benign (non-cancerous) condition of the breast: Fibrocystic disease of the breast is a common condition where breast tissue feels lumpy, ropy, or granular, often accompanied by pain or tenderness, especially before menstruation. It involves the presence of fluid-filled sacs (cysts) and/or areas of thickened tissue (fibrosis).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Her doctor diagnosed the discomfort as fibrocystic disease of the breast.
  • A mammogram can help distinguish between fibrocystic disease of the breast and other abnormalities.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often shortened in medical contexts to fibrocystic breast changes or fibrocystic breast condition, as "disease" can sound more serious than the condition typically is.
  • The patient was relieved to learn her symptoms were due to benign fibrocystic breast changes.

Variants and Related Words

• Fibrocystic (adj): Describes tissue characterized by cysts and fibrosis.
  • The ultrasound showed fibrocystic tissue.
• Fibrocystic breast changes (n): A common alternative term.
• Fibrocystic breast condition (n): Another common alternative term.

Synonyms

• Benign breast dysplasia: A more technical medical synonym.
• Chronic cystic mastitis (an older, less accurate term): An outdated synonym.

Related Phrases

• Breast cyst (n): A specific fluid-filled sac that can be part of this condition.
  • The breast cyst was drained for comfort.
• Cyclical mastalgia (n): Breast pain related to the menstrual cycle, often associated with fibrocystic changes.

Noun

1. the presence of one or more cysts in a breast