Homoeopathic Treatment of Fibrocystic Breast Diseases: A Case Series

Abstract

Fibrocystic changes are the most frequently occurring benign conditions of breast disease. Women of 20 to 50 years of age who frequently encounter various forms of stressors have the highest incidence of fibrocystic breast disease (FBD). In cases, where any palpable mass is detected after clinical examination, mammograms and ultrasonography (USG) are the most common investigative tools for the next level of assessment. Five patients with FBD were treated with homoeopathic medicines in our hospital within a period of 3 years under the project: ‘Homoeopathic management of benign neoplastic lesions of breast: an evidence-based study’. The diagnosis was based on clinical examination and USG. We followed standard homoeopathic guidelines for the final selection of medicines. Individualised homoeopathic medicines were used to treat these cases. The clinical assessment was done every month and objective assessment was done after serial USG reports at every 6-month interval. All the patients had notable improvements during treatment as inferred clinically as well as from the USG reports. Few associated symptoms improved too. Assessment of the causal attribution of the outcomes of the treated cases to the homoeopathic intervention was done using Modified Naranjo Criteria. ‘Definite’ association was found in four out of five cases and one case showed a ‘probable’ association. Therefore, we may conclude that homoeopathic treatment can be useful in treating FBD. Good-quality clinical trials are needed before making any firm recommendation.