Doppler measurement of breast vascularity in women under pharmacologic treatment of benign breast disease.

Breast vascularization was measured with an 8-MHz continuous wave Doppler pencil probe. Flow values were low in asymptomatic women and high in patients with severe pain or dysplastic changes. Mild treatment with a plant extract produced only a small decrease in breast vascularization. Treatment with norethisterone acetate showed a dose-dependent decrease in blood flow. A good response was seen with a dosage of 5 mg/d, and a dramatic decrease was seen when 10 mg/d was taken. These results showed a good correlation with the patients' symptoms.