AFFINITY OF HOMOEOPATHIC DRUGS IN CASES OF FIBROADENOMA

Dr Mohini Ghanghas, Dr Lata.K.Rajpurohit, Dr Chaudhary Aarti

Abstract
Fibroadenoma or adenofibroma is a benign tumor of fibrous and epithelial elements. It is the most common benign tumor of the female
breast. Nearly 90% of breast masses in women are the result of benign lesion and are usually in their 20s or 30s.
The incidence of fibroadenoma reduces with increasing age. Thus, there is a real need for study on fibroadenoma and discussing the
Homoeopathic remedies which help in treating them.

Keywords
Fibroadenoma, Homoeopathy, Treatment, Remedies, Holistic.

INTRODUCTION
Breast consists of a series of ducts and associated secretory lobules, which are surrounded by glandular, fibrous supporting tissue and
fatty tissue. Fibroadenomas develop within the epithelia of lobules or ducts. The glandular tissue and ducts grow over the lobule and
form a solid lump, a single lobule undergoes hyperplasia. It is a benign tumor and occurs at any age, most common among the younger
(20-30 years) age women. It is usually a single tumor which rarely grows more than 5cm. Before the age of 30years, the tumor runs a
benign course. However after this age, the possibility of malignant change can’t be ruled out.

Morphology:
Grossly- Round or ovoid, rubbery, discrete, relatively moveable, non-tender mass. It is usually discovered accidently. The cut section is
firm, grey-white, slightly myxoid and show slit-like spaces formed by compressed ducts.
Microscopically- The lesions are composed of mixed epithelial or glandular and mesenchymal elements, loose fibroblastic stroma
containing duct like, epithelium lined spaces.
Histo-pathologically, fibroadenoma is of two types – Intracanalicular and Pericanalicular.
Intracanalicular shows compression of glandular tissue and duct system, it is larger in size and soft and is seen in women of age 35-
50years.
Pericanalicular shows increase in ducts and fibrous stroma. It is small in size and hard in consistency and seen in young girls of 15-
30years of age.

Epidemiology:
 Breast cancer is hormone dependent mass. Estrogen hormone plays an important role as it is thought that an area of breast
becomes sensitive to estrogen resulting in fibroadenoma.
 The three dates in a women’s life that has a major impact of breast cancer are
 Age of menarche
 Age at first full term pregnancy
 Age at menopause
 Intake of oral contraceptives before the age of 20years increases the risk of fibroadenoma.
 A woman with ovarian cancer is at high risk of breast cancer.
 Alcohol intake, radiation, HRT, obesity also increases the risk of fibroadenoma.
 The exact cause is yet unknown.

Clinical Features:
 Painless lump in the breast, uniform, firm, well defined mass.
 Freely mobile tumor, hence called “Breast Mouse”.
 No nipple discharge.
  May occur anywhere in the breast but more often it is seen is lower half.
 Axillary lymph nodes are not be enlarged.

Diagnosis:
1. Clinical Examination:
 Inspection- Performed when patient is in a relaxed position with arms on sides. Breasts are observed to note its size, symmetry,
contour and its color. If any nodule is seen note its size, shape and presence of any skin ulceration should be noted. Nipple and
areola should be noted. In cases of fibroadenoma usually nothing is revealed, nipples always remain normal.
 Palpation- Now with the patient supine, ask the patient to rest one arm above her head. This helps spread the breast tissue move
evenly across the chest and makes palpation of any nodules easier. For any nodule, its consistency, tenderness and mobility
should be examined. An attempt should be made to elicit nipple discharge. All regional lymph nodes should be examined and
any lesions should be measured. In cases of fibroadenoma, they are smooth or slightly lobulated usually measuring 2-3cm in
diameter. Mobility is present and is more in young girls. Axillary lymph nodes not enlarged.
2. Laboratory Investigation:
 A cytological diagnosis of a breast lump can be achieved using fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) to evaluate the cellular
component of a lump. FNAC is also useful to drain symptomatic breast cysts.
 A breast ultrasound or mammogram imaging test may also be ordered. Mammography is contraindicated in pregnancy because
of risk of radiation.
 Once breast cancer is diagnosed, chest radiography, liver sonography and skeletal MRI are performed to search for metastasis.
 Triple diagnosis technique (Palpation, Mammography, aspiration)

Dominant Mass Palpated

Specific Nothing specific

Mammogram Mammogram

Specific Nothing specific

Biopsy FNAC
Nothing specific

Consider observation

Treatment: `
Surgical:
 Excisional Biopsy
 Lumpectomy
 Radial Mastectomy or simple mastectomy
These treatment lead to scarring and extensive ductal damage .

Homoeopathic Approach:
Homoeopathy being a holistic approach emphasizes the importance of treating the patient as a whole. There are several different
treatment and approaches for using homoeopathic medicines to treat individual with tumors.
 Specific Approach - Homoeopathic remedies work on the specific region of body, that is, tumor in mammary gland.
 Classical or Constitutional Approach – overall symptoms of the patient.
 Calcarea Fluorica –
o It is a long and deep acting constitutional remedy for hard stony glands, indurated enlargements and
solidified infiltrations.
o Hard knots in breasts.
o Nodular enlargement of the gland with severe neuralgic pains and discharge of thin serous fluid.
o Aggravation – cold weather, motion
o Amelioration – heat, pressure
 Conium Maculatum-
o It has a profound effect on the glandular system, as shown by wasting away of mammae. Suits people with
cancerous diathesis, scrofulous constitution, cancers and glandular enlargement.
o It has specific action on female breast, dissipating its engorgemnets and tumors and relieving its pains.
o Induration of breast, hard as stone.
o Abscess of breast become surrounded by lumps and nodules.
o From every little cold the glands become hard and sore.
o Aggravation- before and during menses
o Amelioration- pressure, motion
 Phytolacca-
o Acts chiefly on glandular system particularly on mammary glands and throat.
o Heavy, stony, hard, swollen or tender breast, severe stinging pains throughout breast with oozing out of milk.
o Tender and sore breast before and during menses.
o Tumors or hard nodes of the breast with enlarged axillary nodes.
o Breast abscess.
o Breast cancer with shooting, lancinating pains, great exhaustion and prostration.
o Mastitis from taking cold.
o Aggravation- Before and during menses at night.
o Amelioration- warmth, pressure by hands, rest.
 Iodium:
o It is very useful remedy for affections of glandular system of body. It acts on mammae producing increased
secretion and atrophy.
o Flaccidity and dwindling of mammary glands.
o Nodosities on the skin of mammae.
o A peculiar feature of Iodium is that while the body withers, the glands enlarged expect mammary glands.
o Induration of mammae.
o Aggravation- warmth
o Amelioration – open air
 Graphites:
o Deep acting accompanied with Induration and burning, of great usefulness in cancerous growth.
o Induration of tissue and swelling of gland.
o Mammae swollen and hard.
o Cracks and fissures in nipples.
o Cancer of breast.
o Hard cicatrices remaining after mammary abscess.
o Hardness and induration from old scars and repeated abscess.
o Oversensitive to pain.
o Aggravation- warmth, during and after menses
o Amelioration- wrapping up, night.
CONCLUSION
Undoubtedly we consider the complaints of the patient, what actually caused the patient to develop that particular kind of disease.
Homoeopathy treats the patient with the disease, not merely the disease.
Homoeopathy is one of the most emphasized therapy used by people for the cases of fibroadenoma and the medicines which can be
effectively used in its treatment is mentioned above.

REFERENCES

1. Boericke’s New Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica with Repertory; third revised and augmented edition based on
ninth edition; By William Boericke; B Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.
2. Allen’s Keynotes Rearranged and Classified with Leading Remedies of the Materia Medica and Bowel Nosodes including
Repertorial Index; By H.C.Allen,M.D; Tenth edition; B Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.
3. Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica; By James Tyler Kent, A.M; M.D; B Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.
4. Textbook of Homoeopathic Materia Medica; By J.D. Patil, M.D. (HOM.); B Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.
5. Lotus Materia Medica; By Robin Murphy, M.D; B Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.
6. Homoeopathic Medical Repertory; A Modern Alphabetical and Practical Repertory; Third revised edition; By Robin
Murphy, M.D; pg no. 251;Breast cancer- Fibroadenoma; B Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.
7. The twelve tissue remedies by Schussler; By Boericke and Dewey; B Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.
8. A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica; vol I and II; By John Henry Clarke; B Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.
9. A Synoptic Key of Materia Medica; By C.M. Boger; B Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.
10. A Study On Materia Medica, enriched with real case studies; By N.M. Chaudhari; B Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.
11. Homoeopathic Therapeutics; The classical therapeutic hints; By Samuel Lilienthal, M.D; B Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.
12. A Concise Repertory of Homoeopathic Medicine Alphabetically Arranged; By Dr. S.R. Phatak; B Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.
13. Shaw’s Textbook Of Gynaecology; 16th revised edition; chp.34 breast; pg.no 456-460; By S.N. Daftary; Elsevier India.
14. D.C. Dutta’s Textbook of Gynecology; 7th edition; By Hiralal Konar; Jaypee Brothers.
15. Holland And Brews Manual of Obstetrics; 4th edition; chp.27; pg.no 194; By S.N. Daftary
16. Textbook Of Pathology; 7th edition; pg no. 748; By Harsh Mohan; B Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.
17. Robbins Basic Pathology; 9th edition; pg no. 707; ch p no.18; By Kumar, Abbas, Aster; Elsevier Saunders.
18. Walter and Israel General Pathology; 7th edition; pg no. 437; chp no. 26
19. Hutchinson’s Clinical Method and integrated approach to clinical practice; edited by Michael Glymn and William M.
Drake; 23rd edition; pg no.23 and 24; Elsevier Saunders.
20. Gray’s Anatomy, The anatomical basis of clinical practice; 40th edition; pg no.933; chp 54; editor in chief, Susan Standring
PhD; Elsevier Saunders.
21. Guyton and Hall, Textbook of Medical Physiology; South Asian edition; pg no 666; chp 99; By Johan E. Hall; Elsevier
Saunders.
22. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine; 19th edition; vol I; By Kasper, Fauci, Hauser, Longo, Jameson, Loscalzo; By
Mcgraw- Hill Education.

Dr Mohini Ghanghas, Dr Lata.K.Rajpurohit and Dr Chaudhary Aarti

Under Faculty of Homoeopathic Sciences,
Jayoti Vidyapeeth Women’s University, Jaipur.