Description

Breast cysts are fluid-filled sacs inside the breast. In general, they are not cancerous (benign). You can have one or more breast cysts. A cyst of the breast often feels like a grape or a water-filled balloon, but sometimes a breast cyst feels firm.

Breast cysts don't require treatment unless a cyst is large and painful or uncomfortable. In that case, draining the fluid from a breast cyst can ease symptoms.

Although breast cysts can be found in women of any age, is more common in women before menopause, usually under 50 years of age. Breast cysts also occur commonly in postmenopausal women taking hormone therapy.

Symptoms

Breast cysts can be found in one or both breasts. The signs and symptoms of a breast cyst are:

  • A smooth, easily movable round or oval breast lump that may have smooth edges — which usually, though not always, indicates that it is benign
  • The discharge from the nipple that may be clear, yellow, straw-colored or dark brown
  • The chest pain or pain in the area of the lump in the breast
  • An increase in breast lump size and tenderness just before your period
  • A decrease in the lump in the breast, the size and resolution of other symptoms after your period

Have breast cysts do not increase your risk of breast cancer. But have cysts can make it harder to find any new lumps or other changes that may need evaluation by your doctor. Your breasts may feel lumpy and painful when you're menstruating, so it is important to be familiar with how their breasts feel throughout your menstrual cycle, so you know if anything changes.

When to see a doctor

The Normal breast tissue often feels lumpy or nodular. But if you feel a new lump in the breast that does not go away, gets bigger or persists after one or two menstrual cycles, consult your doctor immediately. Also consult with your doctor if you have new changes in the skin in one or both breasts.

Causes

Each of your breasts contains the lobes of glandular tissue, arranged like the petals of a daisy. The lobes are divided into smaller lobules that produce milk during pregnancy and lactation. The backing fabric which gives the chest its shape is made up of fatty tissue and fibrous connective tissue. Breast cysts develop as a result of the accumulation of fluid in the interior of the glands in the breasts.

Breast cysts can be defined by its size:

  • Microcysts can be seen during imaging tests, such as mammography or ultrasound, but they are too small to feel.
  • Macrocysts are large enough to be felt, and may grow up to about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters) in diameter.

Experts do not know exactly what causes breast cysts. It can develop as a result of the hormonal changes of the menstrual period each month.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of a breast cyst usually includes an examination of the breasts; imaging tests such as an ultrasound or mammography; and possibly by fine needle aspiration or a breast biopsy.

The breast exam

After discussing your symptoms and medical history, your doctor will physically examine the lump in the breast, and to check that there are no other abnormalities in the breast. Because your doctor can't determine from a clinical breast exam only if a lump is a cyst, you will have another test. This is usually a test image, or by fine needle aspiration.

Imaging tests

Needed evidence may include:

  • The mammogram. The large cysts and clusters of small cysts can usually be seen with mammography. But microcysts may be difficult or impossible to see on a mammogram.
  • Ultrasound of the breast. This test can help your doctor determine whether a breast lump is fluid-filled or solid. A fluid-filled area usually indicates a breast cyst. A solid-appearing mass is likely to be a lump, benign, such as a fibroadenoma, but solid lumps could also be breast cancer.

Your doctor may recommend a biopsy to evaluate a mass that appears solid. If your doctor can easily feel a lump in the breast, he or she can skip the test image, and perform a fine needle aspiration to drain the fluid and the collapse of the cyst.

Fine needle aspiration

During a fine-needle aspiration, the doctor inserts a thin needle into the lump in the breast, and attempts to withdraw (aspirate) fluid. Often, fine-needle aspiration makes use of ultrasound to guide accurate placement of the needle. If the liquid comes out and the breast lump goes away, your doctor may do a breast cyst diagnosis immediately.

  • If the fluid is non-bloody and has a straw-colored in appearance and the breast lump disappears, you don't need more tests or treatment.
  • If the liquid appears blood or the lump does not go away, your doctor may send a sample of the fluid for laboratory tests and refer you to a surgeon or breast to a radiologist — a doctor trained to perform imaging exams and procedures for follow-up.
  • If no liquid is removed, your doctor will probably recommend an imaging test, such as a diagnostic mammogram or ultrasound. The lack of a liquid or a lump in the breast that does not go away after the aspiration suggests that the lump in the breast or at least a part of it — is solid. A tissue sample may be collected to check for cancer.

Treatment

The treatment is Not necessary for the simple breast cysts — those that is filled with liquid, and do not cause symptoms, which are confirmed in breast ultrasound or after a fine-needle aspiration. Many cysts go away without treatment. If the cyst persists, feels firmer, or if you notice changes in the skin on the skin over the cyst, a follow-up with your doctor.

Fine needle aspiration

Fine-needle aspiration can be used to diagnose and treat a breast cyst if all of the liquid can be removed from the cyst during the procedure, and then your breast lump disappears, and their symptoms are resolved.

For some breast cysts, however, you may need to have fluid drained more than once. The recurrence of new cysts are common. If a breast cyst persists through two or three menstrual cycles and grows more, see your doctor for further evaluation.

The use of hormones

The use of birth control pills (oral contraceptives) to regulate their menstrual cycles can help to reduce the recurrence of breast cysts. But because of the potential for significant side effects, birth control pills or other hormonal therapy, such as tamoxifen, is generally recommended only for women with severe symptoms. Discontinue hormone therapy after menopause can also help prevent breast cysts.

Surgery

Surgery to remove a breast cyst is needed only in unusual circumstances. Surgery may be considered if a uncomfortable breast cyst recurs month after month, or if a breast cyst contains blood-tinged fluid or shows worrying signs.

Lifestyle and home remedies

To minimize the discomfort associated with breast cysts, you can try these measures:

  • Wear a supportive bra. Supporting your breasts with a bra that fits well can help relieve the discomfort.
  • Apply a compress. A hot compress or an ice pack can help to relieve the pain.
  • Avoid caffeine. Studies have not shown a link between caffeine and breast cysts. However, some women find relief of symptoms after removal of caffeine from your diet. Consider the possibility of reducing or eliminating caffeine in the drinks, as well as in foods such as chocolate — for to see if your symptoms improve.
  • Consider trying over-the-counter pain medication if their doctor recommends it. Some types of breast pain can be alleviated by the use of acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve, others).

Alternative medicine

Talk with your doctor about any vitamins, herbal remedies and other dietary supplements that you are taking or plan to take. There is no evidence that any of these products helps a breast cyst symptoms, and that can cause side effects.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely that you see your primary care provider to assess any new lumps or changes in their breasts. You may be referred to a breast specialist in health based on a clinical breast exam or results in a test image.

What you can do

The first evaluation focuses on the clinical history. You're going to talk about their symptoms, their relationship with the menstrual cycle, and any other relevant information. To prepare for this discussion, the lists of tasks that include:

  • All of your symptoms, even if it seems not to be related to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment
  • Key personal information, including major stresses or recent life changes
  • All the drugs, vitamins, herbal remedies and supplements that you take regularly
  • Questions to ask your doctor, from most important to least important to make sure that the cover of the points that are of most concern

Basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What could be the cause of my symptoms?
  • Do you have cysts increase the risk of breast cancer?
  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • I need treatment? If so, what treatments are available?
  • Are there any restrictions I'm going to have to follow?
  • Is there any printed material that I can take home? What sites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask any questions at any time you do not understand something.

What to expect from your doctor

Be prepared to answer the questions your doctor may ask, such as:

  • When did you first notice the breast cyst or tumor?
  • Have you noticed a change in the size of the breast cyst or tumor?
  • What symptoms have you experienced, and how long have you had them?
  • What are your symptoms occur in one or both breasts?
  • Have any of the symptoms changed over time?
  • Do you have pain in your breasts? If so, how severe is it?
  • Do you have nipple discharge? If so, can occur in one or both breasts?
  • How does the menstrual cycle affect the breast cyst or tumor?
  • When was your last mammogram?
  • Do you have a family history of breast cysts or lumps?
  • Previously had breast cyst or a tumor, a biopsy of the breast or cancer of the breast?
The symptoms and treatment of Breast cysts