Breast atrophy

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Breast atrophy
Kunsthistorisches Museum 09 04 2013 Vanitas Group 07 B.jpg
15th century sculpture depicting breast atrophy
Classification and external resources
ICD-10 N64.2
ICD-9-CM 611.4

Breast atrophy is the normal or spontaneous atrophy or shrinkage of the breasts. [1]

Atrophy partial or complete wasting away of a part of the body

Atrophy is the partial or complete wasting away of a part of the body. Causes of atrophy include mutations, poor nourishment, poor circulation, loss of hormonal support, loss of nerve supply to the target organ, excessive amount of apoptosis of cells, and disuse or lack of exercise or disease intrinsic to the tissue itself. In medical practice, hormonal and nerve inputs that maintain an organ or body part are said to have trophic effects. A diminished muscular trophic condition is designated as atrophy. Atrophy is reduction in size of cell, organ or tissue, after attaining its normal mature growth. In contrast, hypoplasia is the reduction in size of a cell, organ, or tissue that has not attained normal maturity.

Breast Region of the torso of a primate containing the mammary gland

The breast is one of two prominences located on the upper ventral region of the torso of primates. In females, it serves as the mammary gland, which produces and secretes milk to feed infants. Both females and males develop breasts from the same embryological tissues. At puberty, estrogens, in conjunction with growth hormone, cause breast development in female humans and to a much lesser extent in other primates. Breast development in other primate females generally only occurs with pregnancy.

Breast atrophy commonly occurs in women during menopause when estrogen levels decrease. [2] [3] [4] It can also be caused by hypoestrogenism and/or hyperandrogenism in women in general, [1] such as in antiestrogen treatment for breast cancer, in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), [5] [6] and in malnutrition such as that associated with eating disorders like anorexia nervosa or with chronic disease. [1] [7] [8] It can also be an effect of weight loss. [8] [9]

Menopause when menstrual periods stop permanently

Menopause, also known as the climacteric, is the time in most women's lives when menstrual periods stop permanently, and they are no longer able to bear children. Menopause typically occurs between 49 and 52 years of age. Medical professionals often define menopause as having occurred when a woman has not had any vaginal bleeding for a year. It may also be defined by a decrease in hormone production by the ovaries. In those who have had surgery to remove their uterus but still have ovaries, menopause may be considered to have occurred at the time of the surgery or when their hormone levels fell. Following the removal of the uterus, symptoms typically occur earlier, at an average of 45 years of age.

Estrogen primary female sex hormone as well as a medication, is responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics

Estrogen, or oestrogen, is the primary female sex hormone. It is responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics. There are three major endogenous estrogens in females that have estrogenic hormonal activity: estrone, estradiol, and estriol. The estrane steroid estradiol is the most potent and prevalent of these.

Hypoestrogenism Medical condition

Hypoestrogenism, or estrogen deficiency, refers to a lower than normal level of estrogen, the primary sex hormone in women. In general, lower levels of estrogen may cause differences in the breasts, genitals, urinary tract, and skin.

In the treatment of gynecomastia in males and macromastia in women, and in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for trans men, [10] breast atrophy may be a desired effect.

Gynecomastia Human disease

Gynecomastia is an endocrine system disorder in which a noncancerous increase in the size of male breast tissue occurs. Psychological distress or dysphoria may occur.

Examples of treatment options for breast atrophy, depending on the situation/when appropriate, can include estrogens, antiandrogens, and proper nutrition or weight gain.[ citation needed ]

Antiandrogen class of pharmaceutical drugs

Antiandrogens, also known as androgen antagonists or testosterone blockers, are a class of drugs that prevent androgens like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from mediating their biological effects in the body. They act by blocking the androgen receptor (AR) and/or inhibiting or suppressing androgen production. They can be thought of as the functional opposites of AR agonists, for instance androgens and anabolic steroids (AAS) like testosterone, DHT, and nandrolone and selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) like enobosarm. Antiandrogens are one of three types of sex hormone antagonists, the others being antiestrogens and antiprogestogens.

Weight gain

Weight gain is an increase in body weight. This can involve an increase in muscle mass, fat deposits, excess fluids such as water or other factors. Weight gain can be a symptom of a serious medical condition.

See also

Related Research Articles

Hirsutism hair growth on a woman, generally causing a full beard to grow (see bearded lady)

Hirsutism is excessive body hair in men and women on parts of the body where hair is normally absent or minimal, such as on the chin, chest, face or body. It may refer to a male pattern of hair growth that may be a sign of a more serious medical condition, especially if it develops well after puberty. Hirsutism can cause much psychological distress and social difficulty. Facial hirsutism often leads to the avoidance of social situations and to symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Estradiol a steroid, an estrogen, and the primary female sex hormone

Estradiol (E2), also spelled oestradiol, is an estrogen steroid hormone and the major female sex hormone. It is involved in the regulation of the estrous and menstrual female reproductive cycles. Estradiol is responsible for the development of female secondary sexual characteristics such as the breasts, widening of the hips, and a feminine pattern of fat distribution in women and is important in the development and maintenance of female reproductive tissues such as the mammary glands, uterus, and vagina during puberty, adulthood, and pregnancy. It also has important effects in many other tissues including bone, fat, skin, liver, and the brain. Though estradiol levels in men are much lower compared to those in women, estradiol has important roles in men as well. Apart from humans and other mammals, estradiol is also found in most vertebrates and crustaceans, insects, fish, and other animal species.

Methyltestosterone chemical compound

Methyltestosterone, sold under the brand names Android, Metandren, and Testred among others, is an androgen and anabolic steroid (AAS) medication which is used in the treatment of low testosterone levels in men, delayed puberty in boys, at low doses as a component of menopausal hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, osteoporosis, and low sexual desire in women, and to treat breast cancer in women. It is taken by mouth.

Ethinylestradiol chemical compound

Ethinylestradiol (EE) is an estrogen medication which is used widely in birth control pills in combination with progestins. It is also occasionally used as a component of menopausal hormone therapy for the treatment of menopausal symptoms in combination with progestins. In the past, EE was widely used alone for various indications such as the treatment of gynecological disorders and prostate cancer. It is usually taken by mouth.

Estradiol acetate chemical compound

Estradiol acetate, sold under the brand names Femtrace, Femring, and Menoring, is an estrogen medication which is used in hormone therapy for the treatment of menopausal symptoms in women. It is taken by mouth or given as a vaginal ring once every three months.

Toremifene chemical compound

Toremifene, sold under the brand name Fareston among others, is a medication which is used in the treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It is taken by mouth.

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate chemical compound

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, abbreviated as DHEA sulfate or DHEA-S, also known as androstenolone sulfate, is an endogenous androstane steroid that is produced by the adrenal cortex. It is the 3β-sulfate ester and a metabolite of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) that circulates in far greater relative concentrations. The steroid is hormonally inert and is instead an important neurosteroid and neurotrophin.

Antiestrogens, also known as estrogen antagonists or estrogen blockers, are a class of drugs which prevent estrogens like estradiol from mediating their biological effects in the body. They act by blocking the estrogen receptor (ER) and/or inhibiting or suppressing estrogen production. Antiestrogens are one of three types of sex hormone antagonists, the others being antiandrogens and antiprogestogens.

Testolactone chemical compound

Testolactone is a non-selective, irreversible, steroidal aromatase inhibitor which is used as an antineoplastic drug to treat advanced-stage breast cancer. The drug was discontinued in 2008 and is no longer available for medical use. However, it has been reported to still be marketed in the United States by Bristol-Myers Squibb under the brand name Teslac.

A hormone-receptor-positive tumor is a tumor which consists of cells that express receptors for certain hormones. The term most commonly refers to estrogen receptor positive tumors, but can also include progesterone receptor positive tumors. Estrogen-receptor-positive tumors depend on the presence of estrogen for ongoing proliferation.

An androgen-dependent condition, disease, disorder, or syndrome, is a medical condition that is, in part or full, dependent on, or is sensitive to, the presence of androgenic activity in the body.

Breast development The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the mammary gland over time, from its formation to the mature structure. The mammary gland is a large compound sebaceous gland that in female mammals is modified to secrete milk. Its developmen

Breast development, also known as mammogenesis, is a complex biological process in primates that takes place throughout a female's life. It occurs across several phases, including prenatal development, puberty, and pregnancy. At menopause, breast development ceases and the breasts atrophy. Breast development results in prominent and developed structures on the chest known as breasts in primates, which serve as both a sexual characteristic and as mammary glands. The process is mediated by an assortment of hormones, the most important of which include estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, and growth hormone.

Hyperestrogenism, hyperestrogenic state, or estrogen excess, is a medical condition characterized by an excessive amount of estrogenic activity in the body.

Benorterone chemical compound

Benorterone, also known by its developmental code name SKF-7690 and as 17α-methyl-B-nortestosterone, is a steroidal antiandrogen which was studied for potential medical use but was never marketed. It was the first known antiandrogen to be studied in humans. It is taken by mouth or by application to skin.

An estrogen-dependent condition, disease, disorder, or syndrome, is a medical condition that is, in part or full, dependent on, or is sensitive to, the presence of estrogenic activity in the body.

Mammoplasia

Mammoplasia is the normal or spontaneous enlargement of human breasts. Mammoplasia occurs normally during puberty and pregnancy in women, as well as during certain periods of the menstrual cycle. When it occurs in males, it is called gynecomastia and is considered to be pathological. When it occurs in females and is extremely excessive, it is called macromastia and is similarly considered to be pathological. Mammoplasia may be due to breast engorgement, which is temporary enlargement of the breasts caused by the production and storage of breast milk in association with lactation and/or galactorrhea. Mastodynia frequently co-occurs with mammoplasia.

A steroidogenesis inhibitor, also known as a steroid biosynthesis inhibitor, is a type of drug which inhibits one or more of the enzymes that are involved in the process of steroidogenesis, the biosynthesis of endogenous steroids and steroid hormones. They may inhibit the production of cholesterol and other sterols, sex steroids such as androgens, estrogens, and progestogens, corticosteroids such as glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, and neurosteroids. They are used in the treatment of a variety of medical conditions that depend on endogenous steroids.

Estradiol sulfate chemical compound

Estradiol sulfate (E2S), or 17β-estradiol 3-sulfate, is a natural, endogenous steroid and an estrogen ester. E2S itself is biologically inactive, but it can be converted by steroid sulfatase into estradiol, which is a potent estrogen. Simultaneously, estrogen sulfotransferases convert estradiol to E2S, resulting in an equilibrium between the two steroids in various tissues. Estrone and E2S are the two immediate metabolic sources of estradiol. E2S can also be metabolized into estrone sulfate (E1S), which in turn can be converted into estrone and estradiol. Circulating concentrations of E2S are much lower than those of E1S. High concentrations of E2S are present in breast tissue, and E2S has been implicated in the biology of breast cancer via serving as an active reservoir of estradiol.

Adipomastia

Adipomastia, also known colloquially as fatty breasts, is a condition defined as an excess of skin and adipose tissue in the breasts without true breast glandular tissue. It is commonly present in men with obesity, and is particularly apparent in men who have undergone massive weight loss. A related/synonymous term is pseudogynecomastia. The condition is different and should be distinguished from gynecomastia, which involves true glandular breast development in a male. The two conditions can usually be distinguished easily by palpation to check for the presence of glandular tissue. Another difference between the conditions is that breast pain/tenderness does not occur in pseudogynecomastia. Sometimes, gynecomastia and pseudogynecomastia are present together; this is related to the fact that fat tissue expresses aromatase, the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of estrogen, and estrogen is produced to a disproportionate extent in men with excessive amounts of fat, resulting in simultaneous glandular enlargement.

Estrone (medication)

Estrone (E1), sold under the brand names Estragyn, Kestrin, and Theelin among many others, is an estrogen medication and naturally occurring steroid hormone which has been used in menopausal hormone therapy and for other indications. It has been available as an aqueous suspension or oil solution that is given by injection into muscle and as a vaginal cream that is applied inside of the vagina. It can also be taken by mouth in the form of estrone sulfate, as in estropipate and conjugated estrogens (Premarin).

References

  1. 1 2 3 Prem Puri; Michael E. Höllwarth (28 May 2009). Pediatric Surgery: Diagnosis and Management. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 257–258. ISBN   978-3-540-69560-8.
  2. ↑ Melvin A. Shiffman (24 December 2009). Mastopexy and Breast Reduction: Principles and Practice. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 42–. ISBN   978-3-540-89873-3.
  3. ↑ Kristen A. Atkins; Christina Kong (29 October 2012). Practical Breast Pathology: A Diagnostic Approach: A Volume in the Pattern Recognition Series. Elsevier Health Sciences. pp. 67–. ISBN   1-4557-3340-7.
  4. ↑ Thomas J. Lawton (27 April 2009). Breast. Cambridge University Press. pp. 1–. ISBN   978-0-521-88159-3.
  5. ↑ Ricardo Azziz (3 July 2007). The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Current Concepts on Pathogenesis and Clinical Care. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 20–. ISBN   978-0-387-69248-7.
  6. ↑ Susan Scott Ricci; Terri Kyle (2009). Maternity and Pediatric Nursing. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 213–. ISBN   978-0-7817-8055-1.
  7. ↑ J.P. Lavery; J.S. Sanfilippo (6 December 2012). Pediatric and Adolescent Obstetrics and Gynecology. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 99–. ISBN   978-1-4612-5064-7.
  8. 1 2 Julia A. McMillan; Ralph D. Feigin; Catherine DeAngelis; M. Douglas Jones (2006). Oski's Pediatrics: Principles & Practice. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 558–. ISBN   978-0-7817-3894-1.
  9. ↑ Cynthia Feucht; Donald E. Greydanus; Joav Merrick; Hatim A. Omar; Dilip R. Patel (2 April 2012). Pharmacotherapeutics in General, Mental and Sexual Health. Walter de Gruyter. pp. 287–. ISBN   978-3-11-025570-6.
  10. ↑ Merril D. Smith (8 September 2014). Cultural Encyclopedia of the Breast. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. pp. 121–. ISBN   978-0-7591-2332-8.


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