What Is A Breast Cyst?
A cyst in
the breast may feel like a lump, but upon examination the lump is a small,
generally harmless sac filled with fluid rather than a cancerous or benign lump
of cells. You may have one cyst or many cysts that appear together.
How Would I Know The Lump Is A Cyst And
Not A Tumor?
A healthcare professional can determine whether a lump is a cyst
or tumor.
A simple ultrasound scan placed against the skin will
allow the healthcare professional to see whether the lump appears solid or
hollow and filled with fluid. If the lump is fluid-filled, it may require no treatment at all. You may notice that the cyst
comes and goes depending on the hormone cycle of menstruation.
What If The Cyst Bothers Me And I Want
It Taken Out?
If a cyst
is very bothersome, your healthcare provider may drain it first. By applying
local anesthesia to the skin and by using ultrasound to guide a needle into the
cyst, the fluid can be removed and you may not have any more bothersome
problems from it again. However, sometimes drained cysts will fill up again and
when this happens, you may elect to have it removed surgically or you may leave
it alone and see if it eventually goes away on its own.
Do cysts lead to cancer?
Nearly all “simple cysts” are just that - simple. They are
almost never associated with a higher risk of cancer. The only possible
exception in which a cyst might indicate a slightly elevated risk for cancer is
when other risk
factors for cancer,
such as a strong family history, are already present.
What If My Breasts Are Always Lumpy?
(Fibrocystic Breasts)
Fibrocystic breast tissue is a very common condition and means
that you have denser breast tissue and may notice lumps and bumps that are
common to the feel of your breasts. It is important for women with fibrocystic
breast tissue to be diligent about performing breast
self-exams so they are
familiar with what is normal for their breasts and so they can report any
changes.
If I have fibrocystic breasts,
should I ask my doctor about other types of screening?
Sometimes mammograms of women with fibrocystic breast
tissue may be more difficult to read and interpret. Many healthcare
professionals recommend choosing a breast center that offers digital
mammography. Digital mammograms allow the radiologist to change to contrast of
light and dark and to enlarge areas of the breast tissue on the screen to more
closely examine areas of concern.
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