Breast mass
AliasBreast hyperplasia
Traditional Chinese Medicine Definition
The condition known as Breast Mass, also referred to as Mammary Hyperplasia in traditional Chinese medicine, is believed to be caused by the stagnation of liver Qi, the intermingling of phlegm and blood stasis, and the imbalance of the Chong and Ren meridians. According to the records in "Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine," Breast Mass primarily manifests as breast lumps and pain, often accompanied by symptoms such as emotional disturbances and exacerbation before the menstrual period.
In clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine, the core pathogenesis of Breast Mass is the stagnation of liver Qi, the intermingling of phlegm and blood stasis, and the imbalance of the Chong and Ren meridians. Common precipitating factors include emotional disturbances, irregular diet, and irregular lifestyle. During differentiation, attention should be paid to the following key points: the syndrome of liver Qi stagnation is characterized by breast distension and pain that fluctuates with emotions, and chest and hypochondriac stuffiness; the syndrome of phlegm and blood stasis conglomeration is characterized by hard breast lumps with localized pain, exacerbating before the menstrual period; the syndrome of imbalance of the Chong and Ren meridians is characterized by breast lumps increasing before the menstrual period and decreasing after the period, along with weakness in the lower back and knees. The overall direction of treatment suggests soothing the liver and regulating Qi, activating blood and resolving stasis, and replenishing the Chong and Ren meridians to achieve the effects of resolving lumps, alleviating pain, and softening hard lumps. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that the treatment of Breast Mass should be tailored to the specific syndrome type of the patient, adopting an individualized treatment plan.
Common Syndrome Types and Key Points of Differentiation
Liver depression and Qi stagnation syndrome
Main Manifestations: Breast swelling and pain that fluctuates with mood, chest and side ribs stuffiness
Management Approach: Drain Liver and Regulate Qi, Disperse Masses and Alleviate Pain
Phlegm and blood stasis syndrome
Main Manifestations: Breast mass with hard texture, pain localized, exacerbated before menstruation
Management Approach: Promote Blood Circulation and Remove Blood Stasis, Dissolve Phlegm and Disperse Masses
Chong and Ren disharmony syndrome
Main Manifestations: Breast lump increases before menstruation and decreases after menstruation, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees
Management Approach: Tonify and Support the Chong and Ren Channels, Soften Hard Masses and Disperse Masses
The above syndrome information is based on traditional Chinese medicine textbooks and clinical standards. Specific differentiation should be completed by a practicing traditional Chinese medicine physician in person.
Physician's Clinical Insights
In clinical practice, when examining patients with Breast Mass, palpation reveals hard lumps. During differentiation, attention should be given to the stagnation of liver Qi and the imbalance of the Chong and Ren meridians.
— Tang Yulan Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner (Apprentice)
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This page is for the popular science of traditional Chinese medicine knowledge and does not constitute medical advice. Specific diagnosis should be completed by a licensed traditional Chinese medicine practitioner in person.
This article has been reviewed by licensed TCM physicians at Hangzhou Kezhentang TCM Clinic. It is for TCM popular science reference only and does not involve specific treatment plan recommendations.
References: Internal Medicine of TCM (13th Five-Year Plan Textbook), Diagnostic and Therapeutic Effectiveness Standards for TCM Diseases and Syndromes (ZY/T001.1-94), Classification and Codes of TCM Diseases and Syndromes (GB/T 15657-2021)