Breast cysts are fluid-filled sacs in the breast that are usually benign. They are common in women before menopause between ages 35-50. Breast cysts can be detected through breast examination, ultrasound, or mammogram. Fine-needle aspiration is used to diagnose breast cysts by withdrawing fluid from the lump. For most breast cysts, no treatment is needed if the person has not reached menopause, as the cyst may resolve on its own with monitoring. Fine-needle aspiration can also treat cysts by removing all the fluid. Surgery is rarely required.

1. BREAST CYSTS
JOHNY WILBERT, M.Sc[N]
LECTURER,
APOLLO INSTITUTE OF HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT
AND ALLIED SCIENCE

2. DEFINITION
 Breast cysts are fluid-filled sacs within the breast, which are
usually not cancer (benign). There can be one or many breast
cysts. They're often described as round or oval lumps with
distinct edges. In texture, a breast cyst usually feels like a grape
or a water-filled balloon, but sometimes a breast cyst feels firm.

3. INCIDENCE
 Breast cysts are common in women before menopause,
between ages 35 and 50, but can be found in women of any
age.
TYPES
 Microcysts are too small to feel, but may be seen during
imaging tests, such as mammography or ultrasound.
 Macrocysts are large enough to be felt and can grow to about 1
to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters) in diameter. Large breast
cysts can put pressure on nearby breast tissue, causing breast
pain or discomfort.

4. CAUSES
 The cause of breast cysts remains unknown.
RISK FACTORS
 Excess estrogen in the body
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
 Breast cysts develop when an overgrowth of glands and
connective tissue (fibrocystic changes) block milk ducts,
causing them to widen (dilate) and fill with fluid.

5. SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
 A smooth, easily movable round or oval breast lump with
distinct edges
 Usually found in one breast, but can affect both breasts at the
same time
 Breast pain or tenderness in the area of the breast lump
 Increase in breast lump size and breast tenderness just before
the period
 Decrease in breast lump size

6. DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATIONS
Breast examination
 The doctor will physically examine the breast lump and check
for any other problem areas in the breasts.
Breast ultrasound
 Breast ultrasound can help the doctor determine whether a
breast lump is fluid-filled or solid. A fluid-filled area usually
indicates a breast cyst.

7. Fine-needle aspiration
 During a fine-needle aspiration, the doctor inserts a thin needle
into the breast lump and attempts to withdraw (aspirate) fluid.
Often, fine-needle aspiration is done using ultrasound to guide
accurate placement of the needle.
Mammography
 A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray that allows specialists to
look for changes in breast tissue

8. TREATMENT
 No treatment is necessary for fluid-filled (simple) breast cysts
if the person haven't reached menopause, the doctor may
recommend closely monitoring a breast cyst to see if it resolves
on its own.
Fine-needle aspiration
 Fine-needle aspiration, the procedure used to diagnose a breast
cyst, also may serve as treatment if the doctor removes all the
fluid from the cyst at the time of diagnosis, the breast lump
disappears and symptoms resolve.

9. Hormone use
 Using birth control pills (oral contraceptives) to regulate the
menstrual cycles may help reduce the recurrence of breast
cysts.
Surgery
 Surgical removal of a cyst is necessary only in unusual
circumstances.