Glossary - F

Fabry's disease

Fabry's disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disease of glycosphingolipid catabolism. Its usual course is progressive. (Causes include an alpha-galactosidase deficiency and/or ceramide trihexosidase deficiency

Fibrocystic breast cancer

Fibrocystic breast cancer is a generalized term for benign breast disorders such as lumps and pain. Because it has neither a well defined set of symptoms nor a clear etiology, the term benign breast cancer is used. The different types of lumps associated with this disease include: Physiological nodularity, lumps vary with menstrual cycle, common in young women, Mastoplasia a ropy, thickening of the breast tissue it persists throughout the menstrual cycle, Cysts, which are distended, fluid filled masses caused by an imbalance between secretion and absorption in the breast lobule they are common in the decade preceding menopause, Fibroadenoma which is a benign solid tumor, with smooth margins, and is mobile it is the most common tumor among teenagers and young woman, and may occur at any age after thelarche, and Phyllodes tumors which are painless, solid, smooth, lobular, and bulky. The different types of nipple discharge include: Bilateral duct ectasia, the most common cause of nipple discharge, it has a bilateral, sticky, multicolored discharge, Bilateral galactorrhea, prolactin secreting pituitary tumors usually associated with amenorrhea, Unilateral intraductal papilloma, spontaneous discharge from one duct. Although nipple discharge is one of the warning signs of breast cancer 90% of patients with nipple discharge have benign disease. The pain can either be cyclical mastodynia which is hormonal and is an exaggeration of the normal premenstrual tenderness or it could be non-cyclical such as sclerosing adenosis, cysts, chest wall muscle spasm, costochondritis, neuritis, stress, and referred pain. The inflammatory conditions include: Fat necrosis, a solid lump with or without pain that can mimic carcinoma, Superficial phlebitis of the thoracoepigastric vein, also known as Mondor's disease, Abscess, extreme pain and tenderness, erythema, common with lactation and squamous metaplasia of lactiferous ducts. Some of the growth disorders include: polythelia, amastia, athelia, hypoplasia, gigantomastia, gynecomastia. While it is common to have a family history of cysts, little is known about the genetic aspects of this disease. A family history of breast cancer in a first degree relative plus atypia increases relative risk 9 times. An estimated 50% of women in the U.S. have benign breast symptoms during their lifetime. The symptoms tend to occur in menstruating women, mastoplasia predominantly occurs among those 20-55 years of age. Cysts are usually seen in women in their 40's and non-cyclical pain can occur at any age after breast development. The signs and symptoms of this disease include: Asymptomatic, breast pain, breast tenderness, pain subsides after menses, smooth masses, tense masses, fluctuant masses, bilateral masses, breast engorgement, breast thickening, and nipple discharge. The possible causes include: luteal phase defect in progesterone, increased estrogen, hyperprolactinemia, end organ hypersensitivity to estrogen, sensitivity to methylxanthines, and a dietary fat intake. The only known risk factor is the consumption of methylxanthine containing substances.

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