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Diabetic mastopathy


Other Names:
Diabetic fibrous breast disease; Diabetic fibrous mastopathy; Lymphocytic mastitis; Diabetic fibrous breast disease; Diabetic fibrous mastopathy; Lymphocytic mastitis; Lymphocytic mastopathy; Sclerosing lymphocytic lobulitis See More
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Diabetic mastopathy are noncancerous lesions in the breast most commonly diagnosed in premenopausal women with type 1 diabetes.[1][2][3] The cause of this condition is unknown.[1][2][3][4][5] Symptoms may include hard, irregular, easily movable, discrete, painless breast mass(es).[1][4][6]
Last updated: 7/24/2013
Common symptoms of diabetic mastopathy include hard, irregular, easily movable, discrete, painless breast mass(es). This condition can involve one or both breasts and can affect males and females. The breast lesions may not be palpable in some individuals. Individuals with diabetic mastopathy who have had insulin-requiring diabetes for a long time (>15 years) commonly have other diabetes complications as well (e.g., thyroid, eye, and joint involvement).[1][5][7]
Last updated: 12/23/2016
The cause of diabetic mastopathy is unknown. Theories include an autoimmune reaction, genetic factors such as human leukocyte antigen (HLA) type, association with insulin therapy, and association with hyperglycemia.[1][2][5]
Last updated: 7/24/2013
The diagnosis of diabetic mastopathy should be considered in patients with long-standing insulin-dependent diabetes and a firm, mobile breast mass. Initial imaging studies may include mammography and ultrasound. While these methods can help to further differentiate the mass, they cannot provide a specific diagnosis of diabetic mastopathy with confident exclusion of malignancy. A core biopsy (utilizing a needle to remove a small cylinder of tissue) is often performed for a definitive diagnosis.[8][9][7]
 
Last updated: 12/23/2016
Typically, no treatment is necessary for diabetic mastopathy. Individuals with this condition should be advised about the condition and how to self examine the breasts to detect any changes in size and number of breast lumps. Patients should be routinely followed up with MRI or ultrasound and core biopsy if the lesions become clinically or radiologically suspicious. Lesions can be surgically removed for cosmetic reasons or if malignancy cannot be excluded.[9][7]
Last updated: 12/23/2016

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Organizations Supporting this Disease

Organizations Providing General Support

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Diabetic mastopathy. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Selected Full-Text Journal Articles

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  • How is diabetic mastopathy diagnosed and treated? See answer

  • I was diagnosed with diabetic mastopathy a few years ago and had a lumpectomy. Some of it was left behind, so not to cause disfigurement. Since that time I experience breast pain and throbbing a couple times a week. Is this pain connected to my breast disorder? Do you think it has spread, or simply reoccurred in other areas of the breast? Is pain normal? I worry about it becoming malignant also. See answer


  1. Keyoung JA Zuurbier CA, Tsangaris TN, Azumi N, Makariou E. Diabetic Mastopathy. Applied Radiology. 2003; http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/462248_3.
  2. Honda M, Mori Y, Nishi T, Mizuguchi K, Ishibashi M. Diabetic mastopathy of bilateral breasts in an elderly Japanese woman with type 2 diabetes: a case report and a review of the literature in Japan. Intern Med. Epub 2007 Sep 14; https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/internalmedicine/46/18/46_18_1573/_article.
  3. Sotome K, Ohnishi T, Miyoshi R, Nakamaru M, Furukawa A, Miyazaki H, Morozumi K, Tanaka Y, Iri H. An Uncommon Case of Diabetic Mastopathy in Type II Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. Breast Cancer. 2006; https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jbcs/13/2/13_2_205/_article. Accessed 10/15/2009.
  4. Tsung JS, Wang TY, Lin CK. Diabetic mastopathy in type II diabetes mellitus. J Formos Med Assoc. 2005; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Tsung+JS%2C+Wang+TY%2C+Lin+CK.
  5. Ely KA, Tse G, Simpson JF, Clarfeld R, Page DL. Diabetic mastopathy: a clinicopathologic review. Am J Clin Pathol. 2000 Apr; http://ajcp.metapress.com/app/home/contribution.asp?referrer=parent&backto=issue,10,16;journal,96,99;linkingpublicationresults,1:300401,1.
  6. What you need to know about breast cancer. National Cancer Institute. 2005 ; http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/breast/page1. Accessed 10/15/2009.
  7. Chan, CR et al. Diabetic Mastopathy. The Breast Journal. July 29, 2013; 19(5):533-538. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23895671.
  8. Andrews-Tang D, Diamond AB, Rogers L, Butler D. Diabetic Mastopathy: Adjunctive Use of Ultrasound and Utility of Core Biopsy in Diagnosis. Breast J. 2000; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11348362.
  9. Thorncroft K, Forsyth L, Desmond S, Audisio RA. The diagnosis and management of diabetic mastopathy.. Breast J. 2007; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17983405.