fibrocystic disease of the breast
- noun
- /ˌfaɪbroʊˈsɪstɪk dɪˈziːz əv ðə brɛst/
- Specialized
- The doctor explained that fibrocystic disease of the breast is a benign condition that often causes lumpiness.
Examples
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Women with fibrocystic disease of the breast may experience tenderness before menstruation.
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Mammograms can help differentiate fibrocystic disease of the breast from other abnormalities.
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Many women experience fibrocystic disease of the breast during their reproductive years.
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Is fibrocystic disease of the breast common among younger women?
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The doctor explained that fibrocystic disease of the breast is a benign condition that often causes lumpiness.
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Women with fibrocystic disease of the breast may experience tenderness before menstruation.
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Many women experience fibrocystic disease of the breast during their reproductive years.
Synonyms
A non-cancerous breast condition with small fluid lumps and firm areas that can be painful
A breast condition with one or more lumps filled with fluid that cause swelling and pain
Small lumps filled with fluid form in the breast tissue
Surface Forms
Morphology
fibrocystic + disease + of + the + breast
The phrase is fully compositional: 'fibrocystic' (characterized by fibrous tissue and cysts) + 'disease' (a medical condition) + 'of the breast' (localizing the condition) yields the meaning directly. This follows standard medical naming patterns and would be understandable to a learner who knows each constituent, so the overall expression is transparent.
Etymology
Fibrocystic disease of the breast is a name doctors use that literally describes what they see: fibro means firm, fibrous tissue and cystic means small fluid-filled cysts, so you can picture a breast with small bumps and firmer bands. That's why the phrase refers to 'a benign condition' that causes 'lumpiness' and tenderness.