Fibrocystic Breast Change (FBC)


Fibrocystic Breast Change (FBC) encompasses several of the following pathologic features: stromal fibrosis, macro- and microcysts, apocrine metaplasia, hyperplasia, and adenosis (which may be sclerosing, blunt-duct, or florid).

  • FBC is common and may present as breast pain, a breast mass, nipple discharge, or abnormalities on mammography.
  • The patient presenting with a breast mass or thickening and suspected FBC should be re-examined in a short interval, preferably on day 10 of the menstrual cycle, when hormonal influence is lowest. Often, the mass will have diminished in size.
  •  A persistent dominant mass must undergo further radiographic evaluation, biopsy, or both to exclude cancer.