Combining minimally invasive technologies and phytotherapy in mammology: A safe and effective duet. A prospective study

Background. Breast cysts are a relatively common benign condition, accounting for 26.4% of all benign mammary dysplasias (BMD). Due to scientific and technological progress, in many cases, it is possible to achieve improvement from non-surgical and complex therapy, including minimally invasive technologies such as image-guided air injections with non-surgical treatment. Aim. To determine the optimal approach for the management of benign breast cysts and to provide a rationale for the combined use of air injections with phytotherapy. Materials and methods. The study included women aged 25 to 45 years (mean age was 37.7±5.6 years) taking combined oral contraceptives (COCs) for at least 3 years with benign breast cysts. Patients were randomized into two groups: Group 1 (n=26) included patients with a cystic form of BMD who received a fine-needle puncture followed by air mixture injections into the cyst cavity in combination with non-surgical therapy with the herbal medicinal product Mastopol®; Group 2 (n=19) included patients with a cystic form of BMD who received only air injections into the cyst cavity. The dosing regimen of Mastopol® in patients of Group 1: 1 tablet sublingually 3 times a day 20 minutes before meals. The non-surgical therapy was initiated on the day of the air injection. The duration of treatment with Mastopol® was 3 months. Results. A pain decrease was reported in 18 patients (69.2%) of Group 1; in Group 2, only 2 (10.5%) patients reported a pain decrease. Almost all patients of Group 2 (n=17; 89.5%) required repeated air injections for complete cyst reduction, while in Group 1, only 31% (n=8) of patients received repeated air injections. Comparative analysis showed a significant difference between the groups: φ*=1.7; p≤0.04. One month after treatment and air injections, mastalgia of varying intensity in Group 1 persisted in 31% (n=8) of patients and 89.5% (n=17) of patients in Group 2. Conclusion. While taking COCs, women may experience pain and tension in the breast, as well as an increase in the echo density of the breast and thickening of the glandular tissue and the wall of the cysts. These adverse effects of COCs must be reduced. The results of the study demonstrated the effectiveness of the antiproliferative herbal drug Mastopol®, prescribed in combination with an adequate, effective, and safe method such as air injection into the cyst cavity.